Genesis 42:26

Joseph felt such tenderness towards his brothers that he wept over them. Even so, he did not let it turn him aside from the stern dealing that was needed. They had done a great wrong to him, and to their father also, many years before, and they had to be brought to real repentance. Simeon was held as hostage. The rest were sent off with full loads of grain and food for the journey, each man with his money placed in his sack.

But Joseph followed up what he had begun by directing that each man's money be returned in his own sack. He wanted to deepen the work beyond a mere sense of payback for their past evil towards him. Provision for their journey on its own might not have had that effect. But the money given back would strike them as not at all the way of a sale, or the way of man. And it came on them by degrees.

In the way Joseph meets their needs, he is still leading his brothers a further stage in their restoration. While supplying them with grain, he returns every man's money. Had they eyes to see, they would have learned from this that Joseph was a giver. But in their condition, gifts only stir up deeper fear.

What is the lesson of the money in the sack? That if you are to get salvation, you cannot buy it. You are too poor to buy it, and God is too rich to sell it. Salvation must be God's free gift, and you must have it as a gift, or not have it at all.

Then, opening their sacks, they find the money of all restored to them. Both they and their father were afraid rather than thankful. They suspected some hidden motive in this. It is the same with people generally. They are suspicious that there must be some "catch" when the free grace of God in Christ Jesus is proclaimed.

Joseph had something more to do for them than simply supply their present need. He must prepare not only a blessing for them, but them for a blessing. The money in their sacks will not let them forget. They may now have turned their backs on that stranger in Egypt, the man who spoke so harshly to them and brought their sin to mind. Yet God's eye was still upon them, and God still had something to settle with them.

The result is that Joseph puts into action a most solemn searching of the heart and conscience of his brothers. It is exactly what the Lord, from a better glory, will do before long with His Jewish brothers. He is now outside, in a new position they never expected; they do not know Him. But He too will let the pinch of famine press upon them. He too will work in their hearts as a result, so that He may be made known to them righteously in due time.