Genesis 44:29 - Abandoned, Helpless & Condemned

And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

Judah uses the exact words of his father in describing how devastated Jacob would become if Benjamin were taken away from him (Genesis 42:38). mischief befall him: gives the impression that Jacob believes Joseph's disappearance may have been the result of some mischievous act. ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave: is like becoming an old helpless man abandoned by God and condemned to the grave in sorrow. This is very similar to how Naomi felt after losing her husband and two sons (Ruth 1:13, 21).

Genesis 44:28 - Convicted to Tell The Truth

And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:

During their first visit, the brothers account of Joseph was "one is not" giving the impression that he was dead (Genesis 42:13); and, this also agreed to what Jacob said when he heard that Benjamin had to go to Egypt (Genesis 42:36, 38). Although Judah withholds the part about Joseph's bloody coat of many colors (Genesis 37:33), he does not say his brother is dead, only that he had not seen him since and that his father assumes that he is dead.

Genesis 44:27 - Rachel, Joseph and Benjamin

And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two sons:

my wife bare me two sons: Rachel, Jacob's second wife, bare him his two youngest sons, Joseph and Benjamin. Jacob had twelve sons in all, listed by wife in order of their birth (Genesis 35:23 - 26):

• The sons of Leah were Reuben (the first born), Simeon (2nd), Levi (3rd), Judah (4th), Issachar (9th), and Zebulun (10th).
• The sons of Rachel were Joseph (11th ) and Benjamin (the youngest).
• The sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, were Dan (5th) and Naphtali (6th).
• The sons of Zilpah, Leah’s servant, were Gad (7th) and Asher (8th).

Genesis 44:26 - Judah Sticking to his Story

And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother be with us.

Totally ignoring his obligation of settling his espionage case in Egypt (Genesis 42:20), Judah told his father we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother be with us (Genesis 43:3). Apparently, Judah has convinced himself of this lie because he was so determined not to return to Egypt, unless he returned with his youngest brother, that he has forgotten all about the espionage charges.

Genesis 44:21 - What About the Espionage Charges?

And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.

Joseph did not say bring Bejamin that I may set mine eyes upon him. This gives the impression that Joseph desired nothing more but to just see Benjamin for no other reason than to show him favor. Apparently, Judah had forgotten all about the espionage charges (Genesis 42.15); as far as he was concerned, he was not returning to Egypt unless he returned with Benjamin (Genesis 44:23).

Genesis 44:15 - Can Joseph Certianly Divine?

And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?

Like Daniel, Joseph was appointed Chief Diviner; for he was found to have the Spirit of God (Daniel 4:9, 5:11; Genesis 41:38), not because he could find things out with a cup. Joseph gives the impression he used the cup found in Benjamin's sack as a cup of divination (Genesis 44:5) to enhance the cups value and, more importantly, to prompt the question: wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine? If they couldn't believe Joseph's dreams, then how could they believe an Egyptian could use a cup to tell the future?

Genesis 44:9 - Judah's Lofty Rhetoric

With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen.

Like father, like son. Jacob also offered the same death sentence when Laban accused him of stealing his gods; however, Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them (Genesis 31:32). Be realistic about the promises you make, along with it's consequences, and do not enter into agreements that you are not prepared to honor.

Genesis 44:8 - Judah's Pride and Arrogancy

Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold?

Judah is not hesitant or fearful to boldly boast their innocence in the face of danger. the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths: Joseph's brothers went to Egypt one other time to buy food. On their way home, they opened their bags and found the exact amount of money that they had paid for their corn. This money was returned in full during their last visit to buy food (Genesis 43:21).

Genesis 43:30 - The Tears of Joseph

And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.

Joseph's reunification produced many emotional tears of deep affection and compassion he had for his family. Tears of sorrow for sympathizing the suffering his family had to endure (Genesis 42:24; Genesis 45:2). And tears of joy for the blessing of having another chance to reunite with his family, especially with his brother Benjamin (Genesis 45:14), and his Father Jacob (Genesis 46:29).

Genesis 43:28 - The Evil Bow Before the Good

And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.

The sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance (Genesis 37:9) because the upright shall have dominion (Psalm 49:14). God loves justice and will never forsake the righteous; eventually, evil will pay tribute to good (Proverbs 14:19).

Genesis 43:26 - Deja vu All Over Again

And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.

Here, we see the dream about the sheaves come true (Genesis 37:7). The first deja vu was triggered when Joseph's brother bowed themselves down before him on their first visit (Genesis 42:6). However, this time all eleven brothers are bowed down just as his dream predicted.

Genesis 43:21 - Judah Shows his Courage

And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.

In the face of adversity, Judah told the story just as it happened; even admitting to finding the money at the Inn (Genesis 42:27) which ran the risk of having to justify why they didn't return at that point. I believe Judah is speaking here on behalf of his brothers, because he is the leader of this expedition and the one responsible for Benjamin (Genesis 43:3-14).

Genesis 43:3 - Proof of Their Cowardliness

And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

Pharaoh did not say: Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you. Egypt was awaiting their return to settle their espionage case (Genesis 42:20). However, the brothers were ready to abandon Simeon and become fugitives of Egypt if Jacob refused to let Benjamin return.

Genesis 42:38 - Inconsolable Sorrow

And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave: Returning home without Benjamin would break Jacob's tender heart. He would become as one dead (Genesis 44:31); living out the rest of his days without a remedy to rekindle his zeal for life, mourning for his sons until the day he dies (Genesis 37:35).

Genesis 42:20 - Joseph's Do-or-Die Ultimatum

But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.

Knowing that his brothers would soon need corn again, Joseph demanded to see Benjamin on their next visit. If they do not bring him, Joseph makes it clear that they shall not see his face and live (Genesis 43:5, Genesis 44:23), for they will be considered guilty of espionage.

Genesis 42:13 - An Inaccurate Account of Joseph

And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.

The best lie contains some truth but not the whole truth. and one is not: It's true that Joseph was missing ( Genesis 37:30); but he was not presumed dead, as his brother tried to make it sound (Genesis 44:20).

Genesis 42:10 - Paying Homage to Joseph

And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.

Does Joseph indeed reign over his brothers (Genesis 37:8)? my lord: Is an expression of respect and reverence to one who has dominion over the affairs of state. thy servants: Is an expression of submission to one in authority. Therefore the answer to the question is yes; for Joseph has the absolute dominion over all who are in need of corn, including his brothers.

Genesis 42:8 - Their Long Lost Brother

And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.

but they knew not him: Joseph was just a teenager when his brothers sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:2). Now, 22 years later (Genesis 41:46; Genesis 45:6), Joseph is a full grown man and unrecognizable by his brothers.

Genesis 42:1 - The Wake-up Call

Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?

Why do ye look one upon another? Overwhelmed and sinking into despondency, Jacob's sons were looking to each other for answers, even upon hearing the good news that there was corn in Egypt. However, Jacob's faith remained grounded in the truth that God would not abandon His people in the midst of despair. So upon hearing the good news, Jacob knew immediately what to do; he sent his 10 sons to Egypt (Acts 7:12), for they were unable to act on their own accord.

Genesis 38:11 - Back Home: Used, Childless & Widowed

Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house

Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house as this was the custom for widowed women without children (Leviticus 22:13; Ruth 1:12-13). However, Reuben was lying; he had no intention of allowing Shelah to marry Tamar.