It’s About Benjamin (Genesis #75)

Text: Genesis 43

Ransom (vss 1-14)

  • Benjamin’s value
  • Life for life, Judah offers himself a ransom for his brother Benjamin.
  • Benjamin stands to represent a lost soul and Judah the ransom of Jesus Christ.

Riches (vss 15-25)

  • A worldly misconception about money. Brothers think being called to before the governor is about money, but it was about Benjamin.
  • This is the typical mistake worldliness makes. Because money is the highest thing in the world and money is how things happen in the world’s system, money is the main thing to worldly people. Everything is about money.
  • Joseph completely disregards the ridiculous thought as the men try to explain themselves and their financial position in verses 19-23.
  • Why is it not about money? Because it’s about Benjamin! It’s about the soul that was lost.
  • Mark 8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? There is no money that would’ve satisfied Joseph if he couldn’t see Benjamin. 

Rejoicing (vss 26-34)

  • Joseph weeps seeing Benjamin. He’s overjoyed to see his brother alive!
  • He prepares Benjamin a meal five times the size of the others to celebrate him.
  • Joseph set the men in order from youngest to oldest. This puzzled the brothers. Seemed too much to be a coincidence. They wonder if the governor, Joseph, knows more about their family than they think. Surprise. He does!