Week 36, Day 4: Bewilderment

Today’s Reading:  Genesis 43:1-34

Some thoughts from the reading…

If you were not familiar with this account already, I do not see it as possible to stop reading in chapter 43.  The grain has run out and the famine is severe.  It is either starve to death or return to Egypt for more grain.  Jacob reluctantly grants permission to take Benjamin with them back to Egypt where the lord of the land suspects them of being spies.  When the brothers come back there is a very strange welcome for them.  They are directed to Joseph’s personal dwelling and told to wait there.  Their minds wonder about if they are in trouble or if the man is setting them up so he can take them as slaves.  Then to their amazement a feast is set before them and they are eating in abundance.  The chapter ends on a “cliff hanger” by making you want to know how all this turns out for the brothers. 

I do enjoy reading accounts such as these because, knowing what happens later, it is amusing to see the events building and unfolding.  The brothers must have been awed by what all was going on and yet very confused.  Why was this man asking about their father?  Why was Benjamin given so much more than everyone else?  Why did the man eat by himself?  All will soon be revealed to them.

Popularity: unranked [?]