Genesis 43:12

Besides this, Jacob tells his sons to take back the money they found returned in their sacks. They must also take double the amount of money needed for the food they wanted to buy (v. 12). In sending Benjamin too, he calls on the name of God Almighty. He asks for God's compassion before Egypt's governor, so that Simeon might go free and Benjamin also come home safely.

Now Israel gives in, however much it hurts his heart. He gives careful instructions that everything must be done honestly and properly. Then he gives up his beloved son — the more beloved because of the one who is missing.

Before starting, they make their plans. They want to win over the Governor of Egypt and keep Benjamin safe. Judah promises to answer for Benjamin himself, and they prepare the present for the Governor. They treat Joseph's earlier kindness in returning their money as a possible "oversight" (v. 12). All shows how impossible it is for nature to understand the ways of grace.

Occupied with their own doings, Jacob unfolds his plan. "Take," he says, "a present" to appease the man. "Take double the money" to buy the grain. "Take also your brother, and arise, go again to the man." Nature cannot think of God as a giver, or of man as a receiver. Nature has no true knowledge of God or of man. It cannot imagine a God so rich in sovereign grace that He can only give. It cannot imagine a man so ruined and helpless that he can only receive.

Here we see in a believer the worst side of the natural sinful heart. It hates to approach Christ, and will not do so until it feels the pangs of hunger and the fear of death. Then at last it decides to go to Him. Even then, it comes with a total misunderstanding of who He is and what He wants. It comes with dread in the heart. It brings a gift scraped from famine-stricken ground, to win favour and to "buy a little" of it — balm to soothe, and honey to sweeten. But how little they know of that great heart filled with tender and generous compassion towards them!

This is man's way of trying to get salvation. People think they are going to be saved by winning God over. They will work and give to the poor, and all the rest. But it will not do. No money will buy salvation, and God does not need appeasing. He is waiting to be gracious, waiting for the moment when He can show what is in His heart, which is only love.

They explain to the steward that they have brought double money. But he knows all about it, and he sets it all aside (vv. 19, 23). Still clinging to their own efforts, they get their present ready "for Joseph's coming at noon." Then they find that Joseph in his turn sets it all aside too. The money and the present achieve nothing at all (vv. 25, 26).

The steward responded kindly to them to set them at rest about this matter. "Peace to you," he says, "do not be afraid." They have only their God to thank for the money, the God of their father. For the steward tells them, "I received your money." That was true. He had it, but he had given it back, though he does not tell them so. Then he brought Simeon out to them.