Jacob sent his ten oldest sons to Egypt to buy grain in the midst of the famine (Genesis 42:1-2). Joseph, now in charge of the land of Egypt, “saw his brothers and recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them” through an interpreter (42:7, 23). In the end, he insisted that Simeon must remain as hostage, and the rest of the brothers must come back, bringing their youngest brother with them, to demonstrate that they were honest men instead of spies. And he sent them on their way, with full bags of grain, and with their money secretly returned to them.

When the brothers got home to Canaan, they told their father all that had happened, and Jacob said, “You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin” (42:36). He refused to allow Benjamin to go to Egypt, but in the end he had to acquiesce. The eleven brothers returned to Egypt, Simeon was restored to them, and they had a great feast.

Then Joseph sent them on their way, with full bags of grain, with their money secretly returned to them, and with his silver cup hidden in Benjamin’s sack. Then he sent troops after them, to ‘find’ whoever had stolen the silver cup. The brothers protested their innocence, but indeed the silver cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

So Benjamin would have to remain in Egypt as a slave. Judah pleaded for him, for the sake of Jacob, waiting anxiously in Canaan. Of course, Benjamin was innocent: he had not stolen the cup, and Joseph knew that he himself had framed Benjamin for it. In the end, Joseph would forgive them all, but the silver cup is his symbolic moment of revenge, making his brothers squirm for having sold him into slavery.

* * * * *
Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:21-22).

* * * * *

Forgiveness is hard, O Lord. When people have hurt us, we so want to get even: or maybe a little more than even. Teach us to trust in you, and to give up our bitterness and rage, knowing that somehow you will indeed bring blessing even in the midst of the harshest of circumstances.

If you find these studies helpful, please Like, Subscribe, Comment, and Share. Thanks!