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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Genesis 42:25 - 42:34
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The Return to Canaan
v. 25. Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way; and thus did he unto them. Since it was not advisable, at this time, for him to reveal the reasons for acting thus, Joseph resorted to this secret measure, his object being to keep his brothers in a state of bewilderment and fear for the present. Provisions for the way he sent along, lest they be obliged to open their sacks very soon.
v. 26. And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence. The grain which they had brought for their needs made a big load, and they had a journey of several days.
v. 27. And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, at the place where they encamped for the night, probably in one of the shed-like buildings which are found along the caravan roads, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth.
v. 28. And he said unto his brethren, my money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack; and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us? In their great consternation over this unexplainable happening they hastily conclude that it was another way in which God was visiting their transgression upon them.
v. 29. And they came unto Jacob, their father, unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying,
v. 30. The man who is the lord of the land spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country.
v. 31. And we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies;
v. 32. we be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.
v. 33. And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true men: leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone;
v. 34. and bring your youngest brother unto me; then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men; so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffic in the land, have the right to trade, to buy and sell in the country. Thus the brethren gave their father a complete account of the strange happenings which had befallen them on their journey; and yet, there was missing a frank confession of their great sin. What they had confessed to one another they did not yet dare to tell their father. It was necessary to employ still sterner measures to reach that point.