Time passed, and the famine continued to ravage. The food supply from Egypt diminished.
So Jacob and the sons had argument about going back. Judah explained that they would not be able go back without bringing Benjamin, as Joseph had already said, “Don’t see my face again until you bring Benjamin.”
So Jacob was mad and blamed the brothers for mentioning Benjamin and they argued. Last chapter, Jacob was bitter and wailed, “Everything goes against me!”
The display of the dysfunctional family was there:
– Years passed, and Jacob seemed to let Simeon being hostage there, rather than risking Ben’s life.
– The preference of Jacob to Joseph and Benjamin was so clear, over the other brothers, and now the brothers seemed to accept it and willing to die instead (remembering their guilts too)
– Last chapter, started with Jacob scolded his sons, seemed like going on for years. Jacob keep blaming his sons.
– Both Judah and Reuben was willing to pay if something wrong to show his father, they are willing to sacrifice. Last chapter Reuben offered Jacob to kill his sons if he failed, Judah now offered to take responsibility.
– the selling of Joseph, was a continuous haunting period for the brothers, buried them in guilt and shame
Finally Jacob invoked the name of God in this chapter (not in last chapter) and he had no choice but to allow them to bring Benjamin. He ensured they brought back the money and gifts. His comment, if I lose my children so be it. Not sure, if it is a sign of surrendering to God, or a sign of hopelessness. Or both.
They were welcomed well by Joseph. And again the display of emotion of Joseph was depicted by the writer. There was no mention of Joseph cried or distressed when he became a slave or prisoner but not it was written that Joseph was overcome with emotion that he had to hide himself from the brother.
The story also revealed that even though Joseph was number 2 in Egypt, the Egyptians would not sit in the same table with him, because they despised the Hebrews. (reminds me of movie Green Book).
Jacob’s life was not easy ever since he ran away from home, we knew that. But the anguish that pierced him started ever since he lost Joseph, as we can see. He prayed in Pniel, when he was about to face Esau – but why did not he do it, now, as he was sending Benjamin? He even said, if gone, then gone lah, Habis! I am finished!!!
I can only sense the anguish and bitterness of Jacob.
Little did he know, that the dark valley he experienced is the onset of the bright dawn he will be seeing soon.
God is watching over us. If you ever feel in the dark dungeon and anguish pierces your heart, know this: The sunrise will arise on time, as He knows His plan for you and He knows what He is doing. Like Jacob, the solution was not what he predicted, so our God is beyond our comprehension.
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There is a mention of 5 times food portion for Benjamin. Number 5 symbolizes grace in Hebraism, so some preachers associated Benjamin with a metaphor of grace, which is why I named my second son with that name.
I read somewhere a Rabbinic commentary about the dilemma Joseph and Jacob might have:
– In > 17 years, Joseph must have struggled and puzzled, why did not his father look for him? (He did not know Jacob was told that he was dead)
– Later part, Jacob also might think, once Joseph was restored, why did not he search for Jacob immediately? Was Joseph upset?
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