Abide Together: Reflections on Genesis 43

In Genesis 43 Jacob sends his sons back to Egypt to buy more food.  They insist that Benjamin has to go with them in order to get more food and also save Simeon who is being held a prisoner.  Jacob/Israel eventually lets them take Benjamin.  They meet up with Joseph and he actually feeds them dinner.  The thing that sticks out to me in this chapter is the evidence of growing faith in Jacob.  In the previous chapter he refuses to let his sons take Benjamin back to Egypt, thus resigning himself to losing yet another son in Simeon.  Yet, now he tells them to take Benjamin and go back to Egypt.  As he does he says in verse 14, “and may God Almighty grant you compassion in the sight of the man, so that he will releases to you your other brother and Benjamin.”  God Almighty in the context of Genesis points to the fact that God would come through on HIS promise to make Abraham’s descendants a great nation, be a blessing to all nations and ultimately bring about the Promised Redeemer. So by Israel/Jacob calling out to God Almighty he was showing his faith in the promises of God in spite of the current circumstances surrounding his family.  Lord, thank You for being committed to grow my faith in You.

– Bryan McKenzie