False Peace - Genesis 43:1-34
INTRODUCTION:
Many people today are looking for peace, they look at the world and see all of the trouble, the unrest, the riots, the hatred, terrorism, murder, racism and this causes fear and anxiety instead of peace. Many times it is circumstances in our life that we cannot make sense of that robs our peace. True and lasting peace can only be found in Jesus Christ. On the night He was betrayed and the disciples lives were going to be thrown into turmoil, Jesus said to them, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27, NASB95)[1] Jesus speaks of a peace that is not like the world’s peace, it is lasting peace even in the midst of trouble and trial, with the peace of Jesus Christ we can let go of anxious thoughts and get rid of fear because we know that He is the sovereign Lord of all.
This morning we are going to see Jacob and his sons seeking for peace in the world, not the peace that God promises, let’s see if they find it.
--LET’S PRAY--
SCRIPTURE:
Turn in your Bibles this morning to Genesis 43:1-34. We are going to tackle the entire chapter this morning. Please stand for the reading of God’s Word and follow along as I read.
Genesis 43:1-34,
“Now the famine was severe in the land. So it came about when they had finished eating the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, ‘Go back, buy us a little food.’ Judah spoke to him, however, saying, ‘The man solemnly warned us, “You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.” If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. But if you do not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, “You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.”’ Then Israel said, ‘Why did you treat me so badly by telling the man whether you still had another brother?’ But they said, ‘The man questioned particularly about us and our relatives, saying, “Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?” So we answered his questions. Could we possibly know that he would say, “Bring your brother down”?’ Judah said to his father Israel, ‘Send the lad with me and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, we as well as you and our little ones. I myself will be surety for him; you may hold me responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame before you forever. For if we had not delayed, surely by now we could have returned twice.’ Then their father Israel said to them, ‘If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and carry down to the man as a present, a little balm and a little honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. Take double the money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was a mistake. Take your brother also, and arise, return to the man; and may God Almighty grant you compassion in the sight of the man, so that he will release to you your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.’ So the men took this present, and they took double the money in their hand, and Benjamin; then they arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his house steward, ‘Bring the men into the house, and slay an animal and make ready; for the men are to dine with me at noon.’ So the man did as Joseph said, and brought the men to Joseph’s house. Now the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, ‘It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time that we are being brought in, that he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us, and take us for slaves with our donkeys.’ So they came near to Joseph’s house steward, and spoke to him at the entrance of the house, and said, ‘Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food, and it came about when we came to the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full. So we have brought it back in our hand. We have also brought down other money in our hand to buy food; we do not know who put our money in our sacks.’ He said, ‘Be at ease, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.’ Then he brought Simeon out to them. Then the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys fodder. So they prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon; for they had heard that they were to eat a meal there. When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present which was in their hand and bowed to the ground before him. Then he asked them about their welfare, and said, ‘Is your old father well, of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?’ They said, ‘Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.’ They bowed down in homage. As he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, he said, ‘Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?’ And he said, ‘May God be gracious to you, my son.’ Joseph hurried out for he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he sought a place to weep; and he entered his chamber and wept there. Then he washed his face and came out; and he controlled himself and said, ‘Serve the meal.’ So they served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is loathsome to the Egyptians. Now they were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at one another in astonishment. He took portions to them from his own table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they feasted and drank freely with him.” (Genesis 43:1–34, NASB95)[2]
DELAY (Genesis 43:1-15)
The famine continued to ravage the land of Canaan and the family of Jacob was beginning to get to the end of their grain. Nobody was saying anything because the brothers knew that they could not go down to Egypt without Benjamin and Jacob was not about to part with his favorite son now that Joseph was gone. In chapter 42 at the end of the chapter when it talks about Joseph’s father the author of Genesis refers to him as Jacob. Throughout chapter 43 he is referred to as Israel, the name that God gave Jacob at Bethel. Why the switch? I believe it is because God is dealing with Israel through this situation. God is working on Jacob’s heart, God wants first place in Israel’s life, but that would not happen as long as Jacob was giving Benjamin first place in his affections. So the famine continues to be severe in the land and the family of Jacob is almost out of grain and then they will be hungry. Jacob speaks to his sons and tells them they must go back to Egypt and buy a little more food.
Judah took this opening to remind his father what the ruler of the land had told them. If they did not bring Benjamin with them then they would not be allowed to trade in the land, they would be condemned as spies. It is interesting that Judah is the one who speaks up, he is taking on the role of the oldest son. Reuben had tried to make a bargain with his father, offering the lives of his two sons for Benjamin, Jacob had rejected this and besides Reuben had lost his position of firstborn, Simeon was in prison in Egypt, and he and Levi had lost their chance when they had slaughtered all the males in Shechem. Judah realizes that if this is going to happen he is going to have to be the one who makes it happen. Judah tells his father that this is not going to happen unless he sends Benjamin. What Israel did not understand was that God could not bless him until he surrendered Benjamin. He tries to blame his sons for telling the man that they had another brother. They claimed it was not their fault, they were just answering the man’s questions, they didn’t know he would demand Benjamin to come to Egypt.
Judah lays it on the line and tells Israel to send the lad with him so that they may trade and get food for the family so that they will not die. Judah offers himself as a guarantee for Benjamin, if he does not return Judah will take the blame. This struggle to let go for Jacob was a spiritual struggle, it was to let go and trust God. Israel in finally yielding to God on this issue had no idea of the unspeakable blessing he would enjoy as a result of his submission to God. Israel’s experience is an illustration of what every believer must one day face, the death to self-interest that must take place so that the Lord Jesus Christ can be Lord of your life. This must take place in every believer before there can be fullness of blessing.
Israel surrenders to God, but he being who he is, wants to do whatever possible to make this ruler show mercy towards his family. A gift is prepared of items that would not be available in Egypt, his sons are told to take double the money so they could return the money they had found in their sacks and so they could buy more grain, and finally Jacob in full surrender to the Lord tells them to take their brother Benjamin. Israel blesses his sons before they go, asking that God Almighty, the name which God had used when He appeared to Abraham and given him the covenant of circumcision, the name which refers to God as the all-Sufficient One, the Sovereign Lord of all. Israel asks that God Almighty might intervene for his sons and that God would grant Israel’s sons compassion in the eyes of this man, this ruler of Egypt, and that Simeon and Benjamin would return with their brothers. Israel is resolved to allow God to do what He must do with his sons, and if he is bereaved of his children, then he is bereaved. He is trusting God to sustain him even in the event of that great sorrow.
Israel’s 10 sons depart and make their way down to Egypt to stand before the man.
FEAR (Genesis 43:16-25)
When Joseph saw his brothers he quickly saw that Benjamin was with them. Joseph did not want to have to deal with them in public, so he quickly told the steward of his house to go and take these men to his house and kill an animal and make ready for the men to dine with him at noon.
Joseph’s brothers are immediately filled with fear when they are not given an audience with Joseph, but instead are taken to his house. They believe that the money they found in their sacks is the cause, Joseph wants to accuse them and take them for slaves. They knew that judgment would come for them. Do you see what can happen when you are feeling guilty and the Lord has been working on your heart to bring about repentance? They could not believe that this was good, it had to be bad for them. They went to the steward of the house, at the doorway before even entering the house and confessed to him about the money that was returned to them in their sacks, they had brought it along with more to pay for the grain they had already taken home and to pay for more.
The steward of the house had either been told by Joseph what to say, or Joseph had shared with him about the one-true God, the LORD Who was with him and Who caused all that he did to prosper and this steward had placed his faith in the God of his master. This man seeks to give the brothers assurance. He tells them to be at ease, or to know peace and not be afraid. Then he says, “Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks. Don’t be afraid, I had the money needed to pay for your grain.” How did this steward know who their God was, who the God of their father was, and that He is a God who blesses us with His goodness? I believe he knew this because their God, the God of their father had become his God and he had been blessed by God’s goodness. Then to give the brothers some reassurance he brought out Simeon and returned him to them. The steward provided water to wash their feet and fed their donkeys. While they were waiting for Joseph to come for the meal they prepared their gift for him.
HOPE (Genesis 43:26-34)
Joseph arrived home and they came and bowed before him, his dreams fulfilled in seeing all 11 brothers bowing before him. They presented him with their gift and to their amazement Joseph asked after their welfare, ask if their father was still alive, and again in answering his question that their father, his servant was alive and well, they bowed again showing Joseph great honor. Then Joseph asked if this young man was the younger brother they had told him about and then Joseph pronounced a blessing on his brother, his full brother who he had not seen since he was just a little boy. Joseph was so overcome by emotion at seeing his full brother that he had to leave the room so as not to give his identity away. He went to his bedroom and wept and then when he had control of his emotions returned and asked the meal to be served.
Each group was seated at a separate table. Joseph was at his table as the high official, the brothers were at a table by themselves, and the other Egyptians were at another table because it was beneath them to eat at a table where lowly shepherds sat. Again the brothers were astonished by how they were seated from Reuben, the oldest and then by age all the way down to Benjamin the youngest. Joseph again showed mercy and cultivated in the hearts of his brothers the realization that God was intervening in their lives. At this point the brothers did not know if the intervention would be for judgment or for blessing.
Joseph remembered how these brothers had treated him when he was the favorite of his father, and Joseph now tested his brothers with regard to their feelings toward Benjamin. According to Egyptian custom, portions of food were taken from the hosts table and served to the guests. Benjamin’s portion was five times more than any of the other brothers were served. By this Joseph made Benjamin the guest of honor. He wanted to see if the same evil jealousy that sold him into slavery still existed in the hearts of his older brothers. They did not show any of that evil jealousy and instead we see this as a time of transition. They moved from fear to peace, the punishment that they feared for the money found in their sacks was no longer an issue. They felt peace transitioning from bondage to freedom, Simeon had been released. Their anxiousness had turned to joy, because Benjamin was not in danger. So, Joseph’s brothers ate and drank as if there were no famine in the land, and they rejoiced at the generosity of the ruler at the head table.
However, their joy and their peace was false and fleeting, because the brothers had not yet dealt with their sins. It is one thing to be relieved over some circumstances that turned out differently then you expected, and quite something else to be forgiven and reconciled. These brothers needed to ask Joseph’s forgiveness for the way they had treated and abused him, and they owed their father an apology for deceiving him and grieving his heart.
CONCLUSION:
As we finish up this morning let’s look at some truths that we learn from this passage of Scripture this morning. As we just learned to experience false joy and peace is a dangerous thing, to think that you are right with God because circumstances in your life did not turn out for the worst and life has gotten easier and problems seems less threatening is to court disaster. Jesus said in Luke 17 that as it was in the days of Noah and the days of Lot, so it will be in the day when Jesus returns. We know the histories of Noah and Lot and both their histories speak of judgment on sin. As in those days, people are self-confident as they carry on their daily activities and cultivate their sins with no regard for God, but judgment will come; and there will be no escape.
To escape the judgment of God that is coming you must humbly repent and agree with God that you are a sinner and you can do nothing to make yourself acceptable to God, but because of God’s grace He can make you acceptable to Himself if you believe that God’s Son, Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty required for you sin, that He was buried and three days later rose from the dead proving that He had triumphed over sin and death forever. When you believe this you escape the judgment that is coming and you experience true peace with God, because you have been justified by faith. When we have peace with God, then we can experience the peace of God as we bring all our anxious thoughts and difficulties to Him by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving and the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Do you have true peace with God? Do you experience the true peace of God? You can by putting your faith in Jesus Christ.
One other truth I want to bring out this morning is for you who are already believers, who have already experienced peace with God through faith. God has forgiven you for your sins, you will spend eternity with Him, but have you surrendered your all to Him? Have you given Him first place in your life? Have you made Him Lord of your life? This is what Israel had to do in this passage today. He had to surrender Benjamin to God and allow God to take that place in his heart and become first in his life. It is only when we do this that we receive the fullness of God’s blessings. Israel is going to be blessed beyond his wildest dreams, he is going to get to see, embrace and hold the son he had given up for dead. He is going to get to see and embrace and hold and bless his grandsons, the sons of the son he had given up for dead. Have you been blessed with the fullness of God’s blessings? Surrender to the Lord and make Him Lord of your life. What are you holding as first place in your life, what are you giving your affections to? Is it Jesus Christ or is it something else? If it is something else you need to let it go, surrender it to God, and make Christ first in your life, give Him full control of your life.
Jesus said that we will have tribulation in the world, but through His peace we can take courage, because He has overcome the world.
[1]New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995
[2]New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA : The Lockman Foundation, 1995