GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 44 (Gen 44:1) And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth. Before he began his experiment to find out their attitude toward Benjamin, he loaded them down with goods they would need upon returning home, and returned their money into their sacks. He had formulated a plan, but before it could be carried out he needed to give to them the things that would not be part of the test. (Gen 44:2) And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. Through this test Joseph intended to find out just how much they would stand up for their brother. He felt that if they had not changed, he would still have Benjamin with him and they would return to Canaan, then he probably intended to some day get news to his father that he was Prime Minister of Egypt and have him come here for the last days of his life. But he did not have to be concerned about their attitude as he found out becausethis plan worked perfectly. (Gen 44:3) As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses. They now started their long trip home to Canaan, expecting that the worst had passedand now they not only had rescued Simeon, but Benjamin also could go back and they could show their father that he had done the right thing in allowing Benjamin to go with them. They were now at the happiest point in their trial. (Gen 44:4) And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? The steward was very likely clued in beyond what we have here and understood that there was a very special reason for Joseph to be thus
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treating these men. Very likely Joseph had revealed to him that they were his brothers. It is the crown of justice and the glory, where it may kill with right to save with pity
(Beaumont Fletcher) (Gen 44:5) Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing. Joseph would not have divined by such a cup, and he used a word here that could mean not only to divine, but to test and make an experiment, which is exactly what Joseph was doing. Thus he could honestly say he used it for this reason without reverting to the ordinary meaning of the word to use a magical means of determining the events of men. Divine: H5172 [nachash ̂ naw-khash'] is literally to “Hiss.” And was symbolical of the whispering a magical spell or prognostication as an enchanter. So Joseph would use this term in a double senseto hide from them his intentions and at the same time be honest in his statements. (Gen 44:6) And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words. The steward did his job well and must have been very cognizant of the method and purpose of all he was doing, which makes it appear he was in confidence with Joseph as any good steward would need to be. A steward must be faithful. With all the goods they were carrying, they would not travel very fast, so they would not be far from the city when the steward caught up with them. (Gen 44:7) And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing: Now they were really mystified that they could be accused of such a thing. Everything on this trip had gone so smoothly and suddenly they were back to the place they were when they first met Joseph on the original trip to buy bread. They were being accused of things that were beyond their control to disprove.
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Things, in themselvesof small account, test the character and motives of the life, as floating straws show the current; and this all the more becausetheir spiritual bearing is not apparent.
(Gen 44:8) 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? They gave the only logical answer they could give in order to prove themselves honest. Would they have brought all that money back if they really were thieves?That does not make sense, so they felt that they were safe in countering this accusation. They could not imagine even such an accusation being brought against them, much less some one of them actually taking the cup. (Gen 44:9) With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen. They were so confident that a mistake had been made that they made a very rash vow. It is always wise to learn all circumstancesbefore swearing and they did not check into it but felt they were quite safe in asserting that their very behavior of the past would show they were honest in this affair. Little did they know that the cup was right by their side in Benjamin’s sack and that they were about to face the greatest test of their lives. (Gen 44:10) And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless. The steward heartily agreed with them that whoever had the cup should be the bondman, but that those who were not guilty should be permitted to go free. They were now concerned that someone among them may have taken it inadvertently, but how they could not tell, nor who it could be and they certainly did not consider that it would be with Benjamin, nor had they determined what to do if it were. Therefore they were taken totally by surprise. (Gen 44:11) Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.
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Knowing their innocence, they quickly let their sacks down and opened them becausethey knew that there was no way they were guilty of such a charge. Of course they had no way at this time to know that Joseph was behind all of this, testing them in order to prove that they were not antagonistic toward Benjamin. HOW LOYAL ARE YOU TO YOUR FAMILY? TO YOUR WIFE OR HUSBAND? TO YOUR CHILDREN? TO YOUR PARENTS? HAS YOUR LOYALTY BECOMEWEAKER OR STRONGEROVER THE YEARS? HAVE YOU BECOME CLOSERTO YOUR WIFE OR HUSBAND, OR HAVE YOU MOVED OVER CLOSERTO SOMEONEELSE? I S YOUR FAMILY ABOUT TO BE BROKEN UP BECAUSEOF YOU? HAVE YOU WEAKENED THE BOND OF YOUR FAMILY BECAUSEOF YOUR BEHAVIOR? ARE YOU COLD, INDIFFERENT, ILL, NEGLECTFUL, REBELLIOUS, OR UNFAITHFUL TO YOUR FAMILY? HOW MUCH HURT AND PAIN DO YOU CAUSEYOUR FAMILY? THESEWERETHE KINDS OF QUESTIONSJOSEPHWAS ASKING ABOUT HIS FAMILY. HE HAD TO KNOW IF HIS BROTHERSWOULD STAND BY BENJAMIN OR FORSAKE BENJAMIN EVEN AS THEY HAD FORSAKEN HIM. HE HAD BEEN SEPARATED FROM THEM FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS. NOW, HE HAD TO KNOW IF THEY HAD GROWN IN THEIR LOYALTY TO THE FAMILY SINCE THAT TIME. HAD THEY CONFRONTED THE GOD OF SALVATION YET, AND HAD THEY COMMITTED THEIR LIVES TO FOLLOW HIM? HAD THEY YET UNDERSTOODGOD' S GREAT PURPOSEFOR THEIR FAMILY, THAT THEIR FAMILY WAS TO BE THE CHOSEN FAMILY, THE FAMILY OF GOD UPON EARTH, THE FAMILY WHO WAS TO BE GOD' S WITNESSUPON EARTH? HAD THEY YET GRASPEDTHAT THEY WERE TO BE THE LEADERSOF THE TWELVE TRIBES OF I SRAEL, THE PROMISED SEED THROUGH WHOM GOD WAS TO SEND THE VERY SPECIAL SEED, THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD? (POSB)
(Gen 44:12) And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. He had to be clued in as to the age of each for he had also seated them when they came to Joseph’s home to eat lunch. This would be an amazing thing to them that this man would know them by age. Now they found that Benjamin had the cup and nothing could be worse. If anyone else did not make it home it would not be nearly so terrible as Benjamin not making it. (Gen 44:13) Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city. They were in a quandary and had no idea what they would face now, for things had gone from bad to worse. Everything had gone against them. They were accused of being spies, and then their brother was required to
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remain behind while they went home and pled with their father to allow Benjamin to go with them. Now Benjamin was being accused of thievery. They knew he was innocent but could not prove it, and the evidence was in his sack. How it got there they did not know, but they knew that something had to be done to save him. (Gen 44:14) And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground. Notice that it was now, “Judah and his brethren.” He was in charge of the entire company, and would earnestly contend for his brother after this. Joseph had not gone back to work, but remained at home waiting the return of his steward with these men becausehe was anxious to see this time of testing through to its conclusion. (Gen 44:15) 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? Joseph would find out now how they felt in their heart of hearts towards Benjamin, the favorite of their father. Would they be willing to give up their brother to this man of Egypt, and bring their father to his grave, or would they stand by him in his trial and endeavor to rescue him? Would they give up their own liberty to stand by him? (Gen 44:16) And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found. Judah knew that none of them could go back and face Jacob without Benjamin, so if their young brother remained a servant they would all have to remain as servants. He realized that it was up to him to intercede. He had stood so firmly before his father and declared himself accountable should anything happen to Benjamin, and now that promise had come to the test. (Gen 44:17) And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.
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Joseph now played his real hand of testing his brothers. Whatever they did at this point would leave things in Joseph’s hands. If they allowed their brother to become a servant of Joseph, they could go home and Joseph could then reveal himself to his brother, and the two could remain in Egypt as brothers. Their father could be gotten out of Canaan later if possible, and let the other sons go their own way. But if they were willing to help their brother out of this and stand by him then they could all go to Egypt and have his protection and care as a father with his children. (Gen 44:18) Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh. Judah now began to wax eloquent and showed that his spirit was right toward his brother, Benjamin. He stood forth from all the others, as spokesman, and appealed to the Egyptian Prime Minister for him. He was doing exactly what Joseph had hoped he would do, without knowing that he was on the stand. His father's life was also in the balance becauseof this and he had to do his best to stand by him. (Gen 44:19) My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother? He went back to the beginning of their meeting with Joseph when they came to Egypt the first time, to give all the details to the story so it would be clear what was at stake. This Egyptian Prime Minister must be made aware of what these men were facing and that it was something quite serious; in fact their father's very life hinged on what happened here today. (Gen 44:20) And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him. Here were the major details of the problem. Their father was old and the one thing left of his beloved wife was this child. To lose him would mean certain and immediate death. Not only Judah, but also all of these sons recognized that fact, and dreaded going back to face Jacob, knowing how much he loved this child becausehe was from Rachel.
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(Gen 44:21) And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him. Judah had no idea of the intent of Joseph and merely considered him a functionary for the Egyptian government who had no care or concern for people like himself, so he must plead with logic to show the predicament they were in. He intended to make an emotional appeal based on his father’s love for the son and his old age. (Gen 44:22) And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die. This is what Joseph had been listening for. He had to learn whether or not they recognized the importance of this son to his father? This son was a favorite. He wondered if they could accept that favoritism? He wanted to know if they realized that their father could not live if this treasure was taken from him? Judah gave the right answer. (Gen 44:23) And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more. Judah was making no accusations as to the cruelty of Joseph’s demands, he was only letting him know the seriousnessof the case. They were in a dilemma and he wanted Joseph to understand the seriousnessof the case they were facing when they returned home. In fact, these sons could not imagine going home to face their father with circumstanceslike this. (Gen 44:24) And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord. They had given a false report when Joseph did not come home a few years ago, but this time they had reported exactly what had happened and did not deviate from it at all. The first time they were deceptive becausethey were guilty of selling their brother, but this time they were honest and were trying to save their brother. (Gen 44:25) And our father said, Go again, and buy us a little food. Jacob had tried to get around the demands of the man of Egypt, becausehe knew that they could not survive without proper nourishment and the GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 44—PAGE 7
only place to find it was in Egypt. But with all his strategy to maneuver the affairs of life, he could not find a way out of this dilemma. Now his sons were faced with an impossible situation that left them baffled. (Gen 44:26) 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. There had been quite an appeal to Jacob to releaseBenjamin and the old patriarch was reluctant becauseof the love he had for the son, but they made him know that it was impossible to progress unless the demand was met. So they were all willing to put their own lives on the line and become accountable for Benjamin. (Gen 44:27) And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two sons: This part was not recorded on the day they left, but Judah caught it. This was the thing that had caused such controversy through the years. Jacob hardly recognized his other children, becausefirst of all half of them were from Leah, whom he hated, and Judah was one of them. He could never get over the trickery and robbing him of his beloved, and thus there never was any love between Jacob and Leah. Each time he saw her or one of her children it reminded him that he had been tricked. He would accept all these children becausethey were physically his, but as far as he was concerned, “You know my wife bare me two sons.” Everybody knew what he meant, and in the earlier years that had rankled them. He made no bones about it. He had a wife who bore him six and two handmaids who bore him two each, but these did not count like the children his wife bore him, and meaning Rachel. Jacob knew it and wanted everybody else to know it, that “You know that my wife bare me two sons.” My only truly beloved wife. Yes I had children by others, but “You know that my wife bare me two sons.” Judah had caught it, but did not let it bother him as in days gone by. He may now have even chuckled at his old father for saying it. But today it meant something totally different. Now he would plead for one of those sons for the sake of his father. He would have no animosity against him as he one time had for the other son of this wife and even suggested the sale of that one into Egypt. He had no idea that it was this son he now stood before.
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(Gen 44:28) And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since: Joseph had no idea how that part of the story went. He was not there when the coat was brought to his father, nor what they told him. Now he at least learned of the reaction from his father when it happened. This and many questions would have been in Joseph’s mind about how all this had turned out and what all transpired from the time he was sold until these sons arrived seeking food in Egypt. (Gen 44:29) 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 had by this time, painted a very graphic picture of the love Jacob had for Benjamin and how important it would be that he return at whatever the cost, for if that failed to transpire there was nothing left for them to do but start digging a grave before they reached the old home place, for the old patriarch would not be able to endure it. (Gen 44:30) Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life; Judah had superbly proven that he had no ill feelings toward Benjamin as he one time had against Joseph. He showed that he had a change of heart and this was what Joseph was looking for. The best way to take a test is when others do not know you are taking it. You prove what you have in you, and Judah did just that. He now had the right stuff in his heart. (Gen 44:31) It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave. Judah truly atoned for his past sins and let Joseph know, without recognizing that it was Joseph that he could not bear for his father to lose all that he had. To lose Joseph had been a great blow to Jacob; one which he never got over, and this one would simply be too much. So he was willing to be the servant forever in Egypt if only Benjamin could go home.
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(Gen 44:32) For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever. Here was something else for which Joseph tested his brothers. He found out now that Judah had made the surety to bring Benjamin home. This would mean a lot to Joseph, for the last thing Joseph heard him say before the sons arrived in Egypt was that they should sell Joseph. He had heard the coins clink in their hands as they parted with their sneers and mockery while the merchants escorted him off to Egypt. Now that he knew that it was Judah who was surety for Benjamin that would clinch it for him, for if it were he then he knew his heart was right. (Gen 44:33) Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. He now proved that his heart was right by offering to take Benjamin’s place and live out the rest of his life as a slave in Egypt rather than face his father without his beloved son from his favorite wife, Rachel. In this Judah was a type of Christ, from whosetribe he sprung, who became the surety of God's Benjamins, his children who are beloved by him, and as dear to him as his right hand, and put himself in their legal place and stead, and became sin and a curse for them, that they might go free, as Judah desired his brother Benjamin might. (Gill)
(Gen 44:34) For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father. Judah could not bear to see such a calamity as that and chose rather to die a slave in Egypt than to go back and face the consequencesof the scene he knew would take place. This meant he would have to leave his own family behind and forsake his own child, or children if Tamar had already had hers, and/or his wife if she was still alive at this time.
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