Genesis 43:26 - Meaning and Application

Here is the great respect Joseph’s brothers showed him. When they brought him the gift, they bowed before him (Genesis 43:26). Later, when they told him about their father’s health, they bowed again and called Jacob, their father, “your servant” (Genesis 43:28). In this way, Joseph’s dreams kept coming true, even the part where his father, through his sons, bowed before him, as in the dream (Genesis 37:10). Jacob likely told them that, if they had to speak to the man who ruled the land, they should call him “your servant.”

Here is also the great kindness Joseph showed them, though they did not know he was their brother. He first asked about Jacob with a tender question: “Is he still alive?” That is a fitting question about any person, especially an older one, since we are all dying each day. It is strange that we are still alive at all. Jacob had said years before, “I will go down to the grave mourning for my son,” yet Joseph was still alive. We do not get to choose the day of our death.

Joseph also showed special kindness to Benjamin, his own brother. He prayed for him, “May God be gracious to you, my son” (Genesis 43:29). Joseph’s favor, even as ruler of the land, would do Benjamin little good unless God also showed him grace. Many people seek the favor of a ruler, but Joseph pointed Benjamin to the favor of the Ruler over all rulers. Joseph also wept for him (Genesis 43:30). His natural love for his brother, his joy in seeing him, his grief at seeing all of them in need of food, and the memory of all he had suffered since he last saw Benjamin, stirred him deeply. He may have found it even harder because he tried to hold back his feelings. So he went into a private place and let his tears out there.

Tears of love and tenderness are no shame, even for great and wise men. And those who weep in a godly way should not make a display of it. “My soul will weep in secret,” says the prophet (Jeremiah 13:17). Peter went out and wept bitterly (Matthew 26:75).

Joseph then showed kindness to them all by sharing a meal with them. When he had regained control of himself, he sat down to eat with them, gave them generous treatment, and still managed to keep them unaware of who he was. He ordered three tables to be set, one for his brothers, one for the Egyptians who ate with him, because their customs were so different that they did not like to eat together, and one for himself, since he did not dare reveal that he was a Hebrew, yet he also would not sit with the Egyptians. This shows hospitality and good management of a household, both of which are praiseworthy according to a person’s means. It also shows a willingness to make room for other people’s habits, even odd ones, as Bishop Patrick notes about the Egyptians refusing to eat with Hebrews. Though Joseph ruled the land and all were expected to obey him, he did not force the Egyptians to eat with the Hebrews against their will. Truly generous people hate to force others.

This also gives us an early picture of the distance between Jews and Gentiles, because one table would not hold them. Joseph seated his brothers by age, from oldest to youngest (Genesis 43:33), as if he could read their minds. Some think they sat that way themselves out of habit, but if so, it is hard to see why the text gives such special notice to it, especially since they were amazed by it.

He gave them a very rich meal and sent portions to them from his own table (Genesis 43:34). This was especially generous because food was scarce in that famine. In a famine, it is enough just to have bread, but here they were feasted. Perhaps they had not eaten such a good meal in many months. The text says they drank and were merry. Their worries and fears were gone, and they ate with joy, thinking they were now on good terms with the ruler of the land. If God accepts our work, our gift, we have reason to be glad. Still, when we sit to eat with a ruler, we should think carefully about what is before us and not give in to greed or desire for rich food (Proverbs 23:1-3).

Joseph also let them see that Benjamin was especially favored, because his portion was five times larger than any of the others. He did not mean for Benjamin to eat five times as much, because that would have been harmful and would not have been a kindness. It is no kindness to press anyone to eat or drink too much. Rather, Joseph wanted to show special regard for Benjamin, to see whether his brothers would envy him his larger share, just as they had once envied Joseph his special coat. In such matters, our rule should be to be content with what we have and not resent what others receive.