Review of Genesis 43

— by Victor Fawole

To the Church in Gospel of Grace Outreach, I say welcome back to our “No Bible, No Breakfast” spiritual exercise. Over the past few months, we have fed our souls and gleaned wisdom as we went through the book of Genesis. We see God showing Himself as sovereign in the affairs of men. Today’s reading takes us through chapter 43, and we have lessons to learn..

1. LET GO AND LET GOD

Gen. 43:3 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.

Jacob was dramatically unwilling to let go of Benjamin in order to save Simeon or save the family from hunger. Even at his old age, one would see that his stubbornness is itself a stubborn attribute. He was spiritually insensitive and unwilling to trust God. The God Who disjointed his hip is about to break his stubbornness.

If Jacob had not released Benjamin, he and his household would have starved to death (Gen. 43:8). So, even Benjamin himself was at the risk of death by starvation. It was until Judah stepped in to the matter that he agreed to release his favourite boy. Jacob had to come to that place of a commitment. He faced his circumstances by committing himself to God.

Jacob let go and let God. He turned to God in prayers (Gen. 43:14). He released his own son, so that everyone in the family would “live”. This is a lesson for us. There are some things that we may have to let go, so that we can receive things of higher value. Sometimes, we decline some strange offers because they violate scriptural principles, trusting God for the blessing that adds no sorrow. God is helping us in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Dear Gogolights, our God is a God Who was more than willing to release His Son for us. He “spared not” His own Son. That’s our benediction in GOG (Rom. 8:32). Let us always express our gratitude to our God and Father, Who gave Jesus to us as the Bread of Life and as the Saviour that never fails. Hallelujah!

2. LET’S GO, I’M A SUITABLE SUBSTITUTE

Gen. 43:8-9 And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones. I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:

Based on what we read about Judah in previous chapters, one would label him as a self-centered schemer. However, he stood up to his father here to compel him to release Benjamin. The same guy who shamelessly proposed selling Joseph into slavery, and ran away from Timnath in order to avoid the shame of harlotry (Gen. 38:23) was now willing to bear a lasting shame if he failed to come back home with Benjamin. The difference between Reuben and Judah is that while Reuben offered to sacrifice his own two sons (other people), Judah was willing to sacrifice himself. This is probably the first good thing we’d be reading about Judah.

Many centuries later, a Descendant of Judah would come, Jesus Christ is His Name. He would be the perfect substitute for man. He is the offended Who’d take the position of the offender, so that the offenders who believe would be justified.

Rom. 5:6-11 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Hallelujah!

3. LET’S GO A LUNCH DATE

Gen. 43:16-17 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon. And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.

Joseph directed that the brothers be brought to his house for a meal. This was quite an unusual interest and kindness. They must have wondered, fearing that they would be sold as slaves or executed. They expected hostility but Joseph responded with kindness. His undeserved love convicted them of their hidden sins. Joseph’s attitude towards them is biblical (Rom. 12:20; Prov. 25:21)

Joseph’s brothers thought they could earn Joseph’s favour. They presented double money for the grains. But Joseph saw through their hearts. He did not even acknowledge their gifts. When men attempt to atone for their sins by pointing out their good works to God, He will also ignore them (Isa. 64:6). When you boast of your good works, they will appear as filthy rags before God. Of course, as believers, God wants us to do good works; but our works for Christ should be for Him, motivated by gratitude.

Like Joseph, Jesus wants to feast with us (Rev. 3:20). He wants to cleanse us. He wants us to enjoy His goodness. He no longer holds our sins against us. He only wants us to become family. It is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance. (Rom. 2:4) God gives grace to those who don’t deserve it. God shows steadfast love to those who don’t deserve it. This is a major theme in Genesis. If we don’t see God’s grace in the book of Genesis, we are missing the point of the book of Genesis. And that takes us to the final point of this review.

4. LET’S GO THE GRACE WAY
On this point, we will consider the different pointers to the truth of the gospel of grace in this chapter. We cannot afford to overlook these pointers, as they prove that God’s pathway to salvation has always been by grace through faith. Here we go:

A. No Divine Mercy, No Salvation

Gen. 43:14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.

Mercy is a divine attribute of God’s nature (Eph. 2:4, 2Sam. 24:14, Dan. 9:9) that is revealed in the actions God takes to relieve suffering and demonstrate His faithfulness and steadfast love. It is the foundation of God’s forgiveness of man’s sin. It is God’s mercy that makes Him withhold punishment from sinners even though they deserve it (Neh. 9:31). Jacob’s prayer here is one that moves God to release His compassion. Like the brothers, we deserve death and punishment, for all have sinned (Rom. 3:23), and only the mercy of God can spare us.

B. No Divine Payment, No Salvation

Gen. 43:23 And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them..

Peace be to you… What a comforting salutation! The distressed brothers needed the assurance of peace. O, how great a peace we enjoy with God! (Rom. 5:1)

…your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks… The servant here admitted that he got their payment, but Joseph actually made the payment and he had to return their money to them. Christ has made the payment for all sinners, and nobody needs to make any other payment. This servant attributed it to the act of God’s goodness.

Only those who believe in the payment of God will enjoy the peace of God.

C. No Divine Washing, No Salvation

Gen. 43:24 And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.

One of the things we enjoy at salvation is washing. God invites every sinner to come for the washing they need (Eze. 36:25, Psa. 51:1-2,7). Sinners who accept this invitation are then washed clean by the Blood of Jesus (1Cor. 6:11, Heb. 9:12-15, Eph. 5:26). Those who are washed clean are continually made clean for they have been saved from God’s wrath (1John 1:7, 1Pet. 1:5, 23; Jude 1:24–25, Rom. 5:9-11). Jesus makes clear that “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” (John 13:8).

D. No Divine Grace, No Salvation

Gen. 43:29 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.

While God’s mercy saves man from the penalty of sin, grace makes man a son of God (Eph. 2:8). Nobody can be saved apart from the grace of God. Hallelujah!

E. We Enjoy Much More Grace

Gen. 43:34 And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.

Benjamin enjoyed a 500% blessing compared to the other brothers. There are two possible reasons for this. One, Benjamin is Joseph’s beloved brother. He was near and dear to him. Believers who position themselves properly as God’s beloveds will always enjoy much more grace. Another possible reason for this is that Joseph could be testing his brothers to see if they would treat Benjamin with envy just as they did with him.

Dear Gogolights, let us show fervency in our daily Bible reading, as we cannot grow without the words of grace. God is more than willing to lavish his love and grace on us… to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He has made us accepted in the Beloved!

Hallelujah!

Grace to you, Church!