Read Genesis 44:1-5
Themes for Genesis 44:1-5
Food (as much as they can carry)
Put their money back
Put my silver cup
Being Setup Again - Any difference this time
They just had a good dinner (And they drank and were merry with him)
Not treated harshly put in jail
Not holding Simeon (or any bother back)
They leave early in the morning, unsuspecting
They left with the donkeys they were worry about
Joseph tells his steward to catch up to them and accuse them
He practices divination (to seek and give omens, foretell) with this cup? - Could this be a reference to his interpretation of dreams?
Read Genesis 44:6-13
Themes for Genesis 44:6-13
Lord and servant talk again (They do not recognize it yet)
The attitude of the brothers (speaking as one unit)
They were probably really careful not to do anything on their own
They were not smart enough to check prior to leaving (money and cup)
The brothers double down
Who ever has it shall die
The other brothers will be your lord’s servants
Let it be as you say (what is meant by this)
Shall be a servant (my)?
Rest of you can go (selfishness)
Searched and Cup found on Benjamin
All were upset and returned with Benjamin
Read Genesis 44:14-17
Themes for Genesis 44:14-17
Note who has the lead role (When Judah and his brothers came to …)
The hay dream has officially come true (all the sheaths of hay bow down)
Will we serve you
Showing honor
Joseph accuses them again, method to the madness?
Judah the spokesperson again
Throws the brothers on the mercy of the “court”
All will take the fall, the “perpetrator and the brothers”
Joseph responds no, Benjamin stays and the other go (2nd offer)
Go back to your father (adding insult to injury)
Read Genesis 44:18-23
Themes for Genesis 44:18-23
Do we see a change in Judah from his dealings with Tamar?
Talks to ‘the man’ (Joseph) privately
Recaps the previous visit, with some additional information
The boy cannot leave his father
If he should leave his father, then his father will die
The recap is meant to do what, earn sympathy with ‘the man’
The brothers are actually sticking together
Read Genesis 44:24-29
Themes for Genesis 44:24-29
Judah continues the story with the part ‘the man’ does not know
How hard it was to get Benjamin to show up
The longing he has for Joseph
The importance of Benjamin to him
The hurt it will cause if any harm comes to him (You will bring my gray hairs down to sheol)
Read Genesis 44:30-34
Themes for Genesis 44:30-34
Judah notes what will happen if they return without Benjamin
He will die
What he said would happen (down to Sheol) will
Judah notes his role in this
Judah became a pledge for Benjamin
Judah will bear the blame
Judah offers a remedy
Let me stay instead of the boy (interesting to illicit compassion for age)
Let the boy go back with his brothers
I can’t show my face without Benjamin
What would befall my Father (what evil)
