In Genesis 43 Joseph’s family never returns to Egypt. They finish eating the provisions they had brought and Israel wants them to go for more. Judah reminds him that they cannot go to Egypt without Benjamin. Their father berates them for telling this Egyptian man (Joseph) about their brother. Judah promises to bring Benjamin back safely. After laying on the guilt Israel allows the brothers to go to Egypt.

When Joseph sees Benjamin with his brothers he has his steward take them to his house for a meal. The brothers are afraid of what this might mean. They think he is going to accuse them of stealing the money they found in their sacks. They tell the steward what had happened and that they have returned the money and have more money for their current purchases. The steward reassures them that Joseph was paid and perhaps their God gave them the money. Simeon joins them before Joseph returns home.

Joseph asks about their father’s welfare and confirms that they have their youngest brother with them. Joseph is overcome seeing Benjamin. Everyone eats their fill at Joseph’s table.

In Genesis 44 Joseph fills his brothers sacks with food and returns their money, but he also puts a silver cup into Benjamin’s sack. After they leave Joseph’s steward catches them and says that one of them has stolen Joseph’s cup. They insist that they do not have the cup. The steward decides to look in each and every sack. If the cup is found, that person will be taken into slavery. He finds the cup in Benjamin’s sack.

This grieves the brothers greatly. They return to Joseph’s house. Judah pleads with Joseph to allow them to take Benjamin back to their father. They tell him all about the fact that he is the remaining son of the wife his father loved, that their other brother died and that their father will die if he finds that Benjamin is not with them.

This is a terrible place to leave the readings but we will continue tomorrow. We will learn Benjamin’s fate.

Psalm 10 could be sung by Joseph’s brothers at this time. They certainly must feel as though God is standing far off. The writer of the psalm is struggling against the wicked who do not believe in God. He does not understand why they prosper while their mouths are full of evil things and they attack the poor and helpless. He then asks God to look out for the oppressed and begs Him to hear the desire of the meek and do justice.