JOSEPH and BENJAMIN

 

Genesis 42:6

King James Version

6 And Joseph was the governor over the land, 

and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: 

and Joseph's brethren came, 

and bowed down themselves before him 

with their faces to the earth.

Benjamin had an older brother.

His name was Joseph, a kind and most blessed brother.

They were both sons to Jacob and Rachel.

But they got separated because Jacob got sold in Egypt.

His brothers (sons from three other mothers) were responsible.

A time came the tables were turned.

While Egypt was prosperous, famine hit Canaan.

By GOD's GRACE, Joseph was now governor in Egypt.

His brothers had no idea he lived.

Neither did they have any idea, they were to need his help:

Genesis 42:7-8

King James Version

7 And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, 

but made himself strange unto them, 

and spake roughly unto them; 

and he said unto them, 

Whence come ye? 

And they said, 

From the land of Canaan to buy food.

8 And Joseph knew his brethren, 

but they knew not him.

Genesis 42:13

King James Version

13 And they said, 

Thy servants are twelve brethren, 

the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; 

and, behold, 

the youngest is this day with our father, 

and one is not.

Genesis 42:14-16

King James Version

14 And Joseph said unto them, 

That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies:

15 Hereby ye shall be proved: 

By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, 

except your youngest brother come hither.

16 Send one of you, 

and let him fetch your brother, 

and ye shall be kept in prison, 

that your words may be proved, 

whether there be any truth in you: 

or else by the life of Pharaoh 

surely ye are spies.

Genesis 42:20-23

King James Version

20 But bring your youngest brother unto me; 

so shall your words be verified, 

and ye shall not die. And they did so.

21 And they said one to another, 

We are verily guilty concerning our brother, 

in that we saw the anguish of his soul, 

when he besought us, and we would not hear; 

therefore is this distress come upon us.

22 And Reuben answered them, saying, 

Spake I not unto you, saying, 

Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? 

therefore, behold, also his blood is required.

23 And they knew not that Joseph understood them; 

for he spake unto them by an interpreter.

Genesis 43:8-9

King James Version

8 And Judah said unto Israel his father, 

Send the lad with me, 

and we will arise and go; 

that we may live, and not die, 

both we, and thou, and also our little ones.

9 I will be surety for him; 

of my hand shalt thou require him: 

if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, 

then let me bear the blame for ever:

Jacob (renamed "Israel" by GOD), sent his sons with gifts for Joseph.

With a heavy heart, he also sent Benjamin, his youngest son.

All the while, hoping, his other son would be released, too.

Genesis 43:11-14

King James Version

11 And their father Israel said unto them, 

If it must be so now, do this; 

take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, 

and carry down the man a present, 

a little balm, and a little honey, spices, 

and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:

12 And take double money in your hand; 

and the money that was brought again 

in the mouth of your sacks, 

carry it again in your hand; 

peradventure it was an oversight:

13 Take also your brother, 

and arise, go again unto the man:

14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, 

that he may send away your other brother, 

and Benjamin. 

If I be bereaved of my children, 

I am bereaved.

When Joseph comes home, he is presented with gifts from Jacob/Israel.

Genesis 43:26-28

King James Version

26 And when Joseph came home, 

they brought him the present 

which was in their hand into the house, 

and bowed themselves to him to the earth.

27 And he asked them of their welfare, 

and said, 

Is your father well, 

the old man of whom ye spake? 

Is he yet alive?

28 And they answered, 

Thy servant our father is in good health, 

he is yet alive. 

And they bowed down their heads, 

and made obeisance.

And now, Joseph beholds Benjamin, too.

Genesis 43:29

King James Version

29 And he lifted up his eyes, 

and saw his brother Benjamin, 

his mother's son, 

and said, 

Is this your younger brother, 

of whom ye spake unto me? 

And he said, 

God be gracious unto thee, 

my son.

Genesis 43:30-31

King James Version

30 And Joseph made haste; 

for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: 

and he sought where to weep; 

and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.

31 And he washed his face, 

and went out, and refrained himself, 

and said, Set on bread.

Genesis 43:32-33

King James Version

32 And they set on for him by himself, 

and for them by themselves, 

and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, 

by themselves: 

because the Egyptians might not eat bread 

with the Hebrews; 

for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

33 And they sat before him, 

the firstborn according to his birthright, 

and the youngest according to his youth: 

and the men marvelled one at another.

Perhaps, being the youngest, with Joseph missing him so much, and not having fault with Joseph, Benjamin had the largest share.

Genesis 43:34

King James Version

34 And he took and sent messes unto them 

from before him: 

but Benjamin's mess was five times so much 

as any of their's. 

And they drank, and were merry with him.

Of course, there's so much more to the story, but you can read the whole story of merciful Joseph, his beloved father Jacob/Israel, his youngest brother Benjamin, and his fallen brothers on Genesis 37 to 48.

Time to know about the tribe now.

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