Their remorse, Simeon detained. (21–24)
The rest return with corn. (25–28)
Jacob refuses to send Benjamin to Egypt. (29–38)Verses 1–6
Jacob saw the corn his neighbours had bought in Egypt, and brought home. It is a spur to exertion
to see others supplied. Shall others get food for their souls, and shall we starve while it is to be had?
Having discovered where help is to be had, we should apply for it without delay, without shrinking
from labour, or grudging expense, especially as regards our never-dying souls. There is provision
in Christ; but we must come to him, and seek it from him.
Verses 7–20
Joseph was hard upon his brethren, not from a spirit of revenge, but to bring them to repentance.
Not seeing his brother Benjamin, he suspected that they had made away with him, and he gave
them occasion to speak of their father and brother. God, in his providence, sometimes seems harsh
with those he loves, and speaks roughly to those for whom yet he has great mercy in store. Joseph
settled at last, that one of them should be left, and the rest go home and fetch Benjamin. It was a
very encouraging word he said to them, “I fear God;” as if he had said, You may be assured I will
do you no wrong; I dare not, for I know there is one higher than I. With those that fear God, we
may expect fair dealing.
Verses 21–24
The office of conscience is to bring to mind things long since said and done. When the guilt of
this sin of Joseph's brethren was fresh, they made light of it, and sat down to eat bread; but now,
long afterward, their consciences accused them of it. See the good of afflictions; they often prove
the happy means of awakening conscience, and bringing sin to our remembrance. Also, the evil of
guilt as to our brethren. Conscience now reproached them for it. Whenever we think we have wrong
done us, we ought to remember the wrong we have done to others. Reuben alone remembered with
comfort, that he had done what he could to prevent the mischief. When we share with others in
their sufferings, it will be a comfort if we have the testimony of our consciences for us, that we did
not share in their evil deeds, but in our places witnessed against them. Joseph retired to weep.
Though his reason directed that he should still carry himself as a stranger, because they were not
as yet humbled enough, yet natural affection could not but work.
Verses 25–28
The brethren came for corn, and corn they had: not only so, but every man had his money given
back. Thus Christ, like Joseph, gives out supplies without money and without price. The poorest
are invited to buy. But guilty consciences are apt to take good providences in a bad sense; to put
wrong meanings even upon things that make for them.