THE GREAT BANQUET

 

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.