Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant." Psalm 135:3
Text: Genesis 43:1-34
WITH GREAT RESTRAINT
Joseph fought to control his emotions. It would not do to appear as one who was given to weeping in front of his guests.
“Then he washed his face and came out; and he restrained himself
and said, ‘Serve the bread.'”
GENESIS 43:31
LUNCH PROCEEDINGS
Lunch was a tricky affair. There were certain problems that had to be overcome. Joseph, being “Egyptian” had to observe certain protocol.
“So they set him a place by himself, and them by themselves,
and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves; because the
Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews, for that is an
abomination to the Egyptians.”
GENESIS 43:32
The Egyptians saw themselves as way above others! They took pride in their civilization. They had a long history and they were very cultured people. People like the Hebrews were seen as uncouth barbarians! The Egyptian guests at the home of Joseph must have been astonished at the Hebrews who were dining with them that day. But they could not say anything against Joseph because of who he was! The Egyptian guests were most puzzled that day!
SEATING ARRANGEMENT
The sons of Israel accepted the fact that the Egyptians sat among themselves. How large and spacious Joseph’s home must have been to be able to entertain so many people for lunch! These thoughts must have crossed the minds of the brothers as they prepared themselves for lunch! What was most amazing to them was the seating arrangement that day.
“And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright
and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked
in astonishment at one another. Then he took servings to them
from before him, but Benjamin’s serving was five times as much
as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him.”
GENESIS 43:33-34
It was the turn of the sons of Jacob to be puzzled! How could this Egyptian official know so much about them. There were eleven of them but he seemed to know them as intimately as a brother would know his siblings! The brothers were astonished indeed! What could this mean? There was no time to discuss this at the moment.
Lunch was a merry affair despite the obvious sense of restraint placed on them by protocol! Benjamin never ate so much in his life! His portions were five times more than everyone else! Why was he given such preferential treatment? What a puzzle to resolve!