But Judah said to him, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’
The grain from Egypt is gone, the family must go back, and Judah reminds his father of the ruler's one condition. But why did that ruler — Joseph himself — tie the sight of his face to one absent brother?
The condition they could not avoid
The ruler had made this demand on the first visit. It only bit once the grain ran out. Hunger is what forced the family to face his terms.
William KellyThis is a world of evil and sorrow caused by sin, and in it grace works for good. As long as the food lasted, the dreaded condition stayed out of sight. But when their supply ran out, they had to face the facts. Then they found God above their hopes as much as above their fears. He turned their faults to their profit, and His mercy was rich and fitted to them, for His own glory. The sons left it to their father to propose a fresh visit to Egypt, and it is not Reuben but Judah who states the case. The ruler had flatly forbidden them to see his face without Benjamin.
Judah speaks
Notice which brother speaks for the family here.
L. M. GrantThis time Judah — the one who had taken the lead in selling Joseph — protests to his father. The governor of Egypt had firmly decreed that if they returned without Benjamin, he would refuse them. So Judah said they would not go unless they could take Benjamin.
Why Joseph demanded the missing brother
Joseph had a purpose in it. The condition was a test: had these men changed since the day they sold their brother in the fields of Dothan?
Hamilton SmithTimes have changed and circumstances are different. The setting of the picture is completely new. But in principle, the story of the fields of Dothan will be played out again in the land of Egypt. Will those ten men once again abandon their brother, and invent some story to deceive their father? Has true repentance been worked in the hearts of those brothers? This is the great question that Joseph will solve in their second visit to Egypt.
Everything brought into the open
Jacob blames his sons for ever mentioning a younger brother. Their reply shows who was really driving those questions.
Hamilton Smith"Why," says Jacob, speaking as the natural man speaks, "did you tell the man you had another brother?" (v. 6). Their reply shows the way grace had taken: "The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family" (v. 7). Grace can forgive everything, but grace will bring everything into the light.
One writer turns this on the reader, with a warning about putting it off.
W. T. P. WolstonMy friend, God means you to have everything out sooner or later. If you put it off, it will be an awful thing to have it out with the Lord Jesus Christ at the judgment-seat. Then condemnation can be the only outcome.
The two brothers in the picture
Writers see more than family history in the two brothers at the centre of this demand.
L. M. GrantJoseph's brothers had rejected him, a picture of Israel's rejection of the Lord Jesus. Joseph is therefore a type of Christ in suffering before exaltation. Benjamin ("son of the right hand") is a type of Christ, the Messiah, reigning in glory.
The two cannot be separated, and only one of them holds the power.
Frederick W. GrantA Christ who is simply triumphant and reigning on earth — that is the Benjamin they have among them, whether in the days of the Lord's rejection or in the last days. They were ready for the conqueror. The Sufferer they have refused, because they do not know their own deep need. Yet the two are really one... and for them the Conqueror cannot come until they receive the Sufferer. Power lies with Joseph, not with Benjamin.
Summary
- Need moves first. The condition sat untouched while the grain lasted. Only when the food ran out did the family face the ruler's terms.
- The terms hold. There was no negotiating clause — without the brother, no face, no food, no way through.
- Guilt speaks. The brother who once led the selling of Joseph now states the case that will bring the family back to him.
- Nothing stays hidden. The man's close questions were grace at work. Grace forgives everything, but it brings everything into the open first.
- The brother is the key. In the picture, the glorious Messiah they expect cannot be theirs until they receive the Sufferer they rejected. Power lies with Joseph, not Benjamin.