Joseph and Benjamin
Jacob could not easily allow the departure of Benjamin, his only son
with Rachel who remained with him. He was afraid that he would lose
him, as he already had lost Joseph (Gen. 43:6–8). It was only when
there was no more food (Gen. 43:2) and when Judah pledged to guar-
antee the return of Benjamin (Gen. 43:9) that Jacob finally consented
to a second visit to Egypt and allowed Benjamin to go with his brothers.
Read Genesis 43. What effect did Benjamin’s presence have on the
course of events?
Benjamin’s presence dominated the events. When all the brothers
stand before Joseph, Benjamin is the only person whom Joseph sees
(Gen. 43:16). Benjamin is the only one who is called “brother” (Gen.
43:29, NKJV). While Benjamin is called by name, all the other brothers
are not identified; they are simply referred to as “men” (Gen. 43:16).
Joseph calls Benjamin “ ‘my son,’ ” as a reassuring expression of spe-
cial affection (Gen. 43:29; compare with Gen. 22:8). Joseph’s blessing
refers to “grace” (Gen. 43:29), reminiscent of his begging for grace,
which was not forthcoming (Gen. 42:21). Joseph returns to Benjamin
the grace that he did not receive from his other brothers.
While Joseph’s brothers fear that they will be cast in prison because
of the money that was returned, Joseph prepares a banquet for them
because of Benjamin’s presence. It is as if Benjamin has a redeeming
effect on the whole situation. When all the brothers are seated accord-
ing to their ages and respecting the rules of honor, it is Benjamin, the
youngest, who is served five times more than all the other brothers
(Gen. 43:33, 34). And yet, this favoritism does not bother them unlike
when Joseph was his father’s favorite many years ago, which led to
their terrible actions toward both their half brother and their own father
(Gen. 37:3, 4).
“By this token of favor to Benjamin he hoped to ascertain if the
youngest brother was regarded with the envy and hatred that had been
manifested toward himself. Still supposing that Joseph did not under-
stand their language, the brothers freely conversed with one another;
thus he had a good opportunity to learn their real feelings. Still he
desired to test them further, and before their departure he ordered that
his own drinking cup of silver should be concealed in the sack of the
youngest.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 228, 229.
