Genesis 42:1-38 Joseph – Like Jesus Dealing with Sinners CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
The famine was not only in Egypt; it was in the land of Canaan, as well (1-2). Therefore, Joseph’s brothers, except Benjamin, went to Egypt to buy corn (3-5). When they went to Joseph, he recognized them, but did not reveal himself to them (6-8). He spoke to them through an interpreter (23).
Strangely, he accused them of being spies and imprisoned them for three days (9-17). When he let them out, he agreed to sell them corn on the condition that one of them would remain in jail until they returned with Benjamin to prove that they weren’t spies (18-20). Reuben told his brothers that this condition was the result of their guilt in selling Joseph into slavery (21). He reminded them that he had warned them not to sell Joseph (22). After hearing this, Joseph wept and decided to keep Simeon in jail (24).
The boys returned to Canaan and found their money restored in their sacks, causing them even greater distress (25-28; 35). When they told their father what happened in Egypt, he said, “all these things are against me,” (29-36). Reuben offered to take care of Benjamin on the return trip to Egypt and offered his own sons for surety (37). But Jacob would not hear it. Reuben didn’t take care of Joseph 20 years before and, therefore, Jacob wasn’t going to trust him to take care of Benjamin now (38).
Joseph’s motive in all of this was probably to get back at his brothers for the grief they caused him and to see the dreams (v. 9; 37:5-9) literally fulfilled. However, God’s purpose in recording these details was to reveal a far greater truth, metaphorically. We can see the way that Jesus deals with sinners to get them to come to him.
| # |
Joseph’sReference |
Jesus’Reference |
Similarity |
| 1 | 41:57 | Matt. 5:6Jn. 6:35 | As the famine caused a hunger for bread, so God causes men to hunger for righteousness. |
| 2 | 42:2, 35 | Acts 8:18-20 | As they tried to buy corn in Egypt, so some sinners will try to buy “the gift of God.” |
| 3 | 42:6 | Mk. 10:17 | As they bowed to Joseph, so sinners bow to Jesus Christ (i.e. as reverencing a great man). |
| 4 | 42:8 | Matt. 16:13-17 | As Joseph did not reveal himself to his brethren, at first, so Jesus often will not reveal himself to sinners, at first. |
| 5 | 42:11 | Lk. 18:18-21Rom. 10:3 | As they professed their righteousness to Joseph, so sinners profess their righteousness to Jesus. |
| 6 | 42:15-16 | Matt. 23:28Heb. 4:12-13
Ps. 139:23-24 2 Chr. 32:31 |
As Joseph proved his brothers, so the Lord proves the hearts of sinners. |
| 7 | 42:19 | Matt. 14:14Matt. 9:36 | As Joseph had compassion on them, so Jesus has compassion on sinners. |
| # |
Joseph’sReference |
Jesus’Reference |
Similarity |
| 8 | 42:21-22 | Rom. 3:9, 19Jn. 16:8-9 | As they saw their guilt concerning Joseph, so sinners must see their guilt concerning sin. |
| 9 | 42:23 | Jn. 16:132 Pet. 1:19-21 | As Joseph spoke to them through an interpreter, so Jesus speaks to us through his interpreter, the Holy Spirit. |
| 10 | 42:24 | Jn. 8:32-34 | As Simeon was bound, so the sinner is bound by sin. |
| 11 | 42:25 | Rom. 5:15-18Rev. 22:17 | As Joseph restored their money, so the Lord will not accept any payment for the gift of life in Jesus Christ. |
| 12 | 42:28, 35 | Rom. 2:4 | As the discovery of Joseph’s goodness caused them to fear, so the goodness of God leads sinners to repentance (as in “Amazing Grace”). |
| 13 | 42:36 | Gal. 6:7-8 | As Jacob perceived that he was reaping what he had sown, so sinners reap what they sow. |
| 14 | 42:38 | Matt. 16:25 | As Jacob would have to let Benjamin go in order to have bread, so a sinner must lose his life to find it. |