24 The steward took the men
into Joseph’s house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for
their donkeys. 25 They prepared their gifts for Joseph’s arrival at noon,
because they had heard that they were to eat there. 26 When Joseph came home, they presented to
him the gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him
to the ground. 27 He asked them how they were, and then he said, “How is your
aged father you told me about? Is he still living?”28 They replied, “Your servant
our father is still alive and well.” And they bowed down, prostrating
themselves.
Lesson One: We first again take a look into ancient
culture. The steward took them to
Joseph’s house. This house would be a
palace. They were essentially
rectangular structures consisting of high walls topped with towers. The tops of
the towers were often decorated with a rich cornice or panels. The hall had gigantic columns. Rooms to accommodate the needs of the court
were located to one side of the hall and it would have a beautiful view of the
river on one side and on the other side lakes and gardens . He then provided them with water for their
feet and fodder for their donkeys.
Cleanliness was essential in Egyptian society. So their prepared their gifts after they have
cleaned themselves up and prepared their gifts.
Remember they were meeting the Prime Minister. They probably had a speech ready for
Him. They had all the best of the land
of Canaan in their sacks. This was sent
to honor and express affection. The ancient Egyptians were among the first
civilizations to practice the tradition of gift giving. Gifts given to royalty at the time included
jewelry, flower grains, crops and even money sometimes gifted as dowry. Jacob knew this and that is why he did
it. Egypt also this time was the major
power in the middle east.
Joseph arrives at noon.
Promptness was important to ancient Egyptians. Joseph had many responsibilities. So his time was very valuable. Another title he had was Vizier. The boys then presented their gifts to Joseph
and then bowed down before him to the grounds.
Thus again fulfilling Joseph’s
dream some 2 decades before. They
did this to show respect to the man who had their lives in their hands. Remember they do not know what is going
on. They have done all he has
asked. They were terrified, stressed and
confused.
Joseph asked them how they were and then asked them about their aged
father. He was probing to find out about
their father. They replied, he is alive
and well. Then they bowed down and
prostrated themselves before him and second time. I examine the reason and found this. . Now
as guests enter the room they prostrate themselves in front of him. If they
don’t do it, the empire could lose its divine order. It was acknowledge of his superior position,
role, responsibility and power. It was
expected and if they did not it was a sign of disrespect and carried the death
penalty.
The Steward as part of his preparation would have instructed them on
protocol to address and interact with the Prime Minister. The Egyptians had a strict code of doing
things especially for someone in the position of Vizier. It is same for example if you were to visit
the queen.
As he looked about and saw
his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest
brother, the one you told me about?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my
son.” 30 Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and
looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there. 31 After he had washed his face, he came out
and, controlling himself, said, “Serve the food.”
Lesson Two: So Joseph looks about and then sees his
brother Benjamin. They had stood up
again. He then asks them if this is your
youngest brother. Most likely Reuben is
speaking on behalf of the group because this was the role of the oldest
brother. He then says to Benjamin, God
be gracious to your my son.” There is
that divine hint. That statement would
have put them at ease. In this pagan
society here was a man who understood them.
This was a man who knew about their culture and belief system. This man was identifying with them.
Then as Joseph saw his brother Benjamin he was deeply moved. That is when he lost it. This is the second time he had to leave them
to find a place to weep. It was breaking
his heart to play this role but it was essential. This time he went to his private room. It would been like a study or the place where
he did his important documents. Joseph
didn’t just casually leave he hurried out.
Now this must have confused, frightened and astonished all. What was happening and why did he leave? This must have been an awkward moment. Joseph had to be far enough away for them not
to hear. All the emotion, the feeling of
abandonment, the love, the separation, the relief all came pouring out at that
moment. Remember he had not seen his
brother in 2 decades. He was not sure
how his brothers had treated Benjamin.
Here he was in front of him. No
wonder Joseph wept. Years of anxiety,
stress and not seeing his brother all came out.
It must have seemed like an eternity.
He then is able to get all the emotion out. He then washes his face. He had to make sure they did not know he had
been weeping. We all know what a person
looks like after an emotional outburst and crying session. So he would have stayed there until all the
physical effects were gone. He then goes
out controlling himself and orders to have the serve food.
32
They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who
ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for
that is detestable to Egyptians. 33 The men had been seated before him in the
order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest; and they looked at
each other in astonishment. 34 When portions were served to them from Joseph’s
table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s. So they
feasted and drank freely with him.
Lesson Three: I love this narrative. You can see yourself there. First, they serve Joseph because he is the
highest ranking official there. Then
they serve the brothers. Lastly, the
Egyptians who eat with them. So get
this. There are three sets of
tables. One for Joseph, one for the
brothers and one for the Egyptians. Now
we can see here that the Egyptians would not eat with the brothers because it
was detestable. This is such a great
picture of the ancient world. For the
Egyptians the brothers were uncivilized, barbarians and aliens. The foreigner
was a symbol of chaos. This must have
been humiliating to the Egyptians. No
one except Joseph knew what was going on.
The brothers were seated in order of their ages before Joseph. The oldest to the youngest. I love this.
There they are sitting there completely astonished. How did he know? Another hint but they didn’t get it. They wouldn’t they thought Joseph dead.
Now we get one more picture of what was going on. They served the brothers from Joseph’s table. The Egyptians would not give their food to
the brothers. They were detestable,
unclean, chaos to order.
The food was served from Joseph’s
table. This is a wonderful picture of
redemption. Egypt as a sign of the world
will have nothing to do with you. You
are an alien, foreigner, chaos and detestable.
Joseph as a picture of redemption will give you all you need. In this case Joseph is a picture of the
Lord. He is our provider and
source. Also one day you and I will come
to a great banquet at the end of all things.
Our master will serve us.
Now Benjamin gets five times more than anyone else. Joseph is identifying with his brother. Now the reason why Joseph did this was to
test if his brothers were still capable of jealousy. Remember the reason they sold into slavery
was because of jealousy. Also
remember the last time Joseph's brothers
ate a meal in his presence, the ten of them threw him down an empty well,
intending to leave him to starve to death, and then sat down and ate a meal
together as Joseph begged for mercy.
So they feasted and drank freely with Him. Now as a final thought. In some translations it states they drank
from Joseph’s cup. Now can you imagine
the horror and astonishment on the faces of the Egyptians as they saw the Prime
Minister having wine poured into his cup and then seeing him have the servants
pour it into the cups of these men from another country. To them it would be a submission of order to
chaos. It was a sign of humiliation and
submission. Joseph however, is a sign of
redemption where we who are undeserving are receiving at the hands of our great
redeemer cleansing, forgiveness, restoration and healing. That is what Joseph is doing. This is also a picture of another
banquet. The upper room. It says they drank freely with him. They had been restored, healed, accepted and
forgiven.
We are the brothers. We have done great acts of sin against our
master but he has forgiven, accepted and restored us.
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