Genesis 44:1-17 – A Missing Cup

Perhaps Joseph’s brothers are breathing a sigh of relief after the big feast. They have turned from Egypt for home, and so far nothing has gone wrong. It looks like everything has worked out. But Joseph has other plans. He heaps further kindness upon his brothers by returning their money in their sacks again, but he has one more test to carry out upon them. He wants to see what they will do when faced with the situation of Benjamin being in trouble. Will they leave him to suffer on his own? Or will they help him?

The steward pursues the brothers, and when he catches up with them he accuses them of ingratitude in stealing Joseph’s cup. They protest that they are innocent, using as an example the fact that they brought back their money that was found in their sacks the last time. Then they promise that if a thief is found among them, he will die, and they will become Joseph’s slaves. But when the cup is found in Benjamin’s sack, they are left speechless. There is nothing for them to do, but to return and throw themselves on Joseph’s mercy. When they return to Joseph, they admit the righteousness of God in punishing them for their sins, probably referring to the sin they had committed against Joseph, that has now come back to haunt them. God is always righteous in His dealings with us, and we deserve nothing but punishment for our sins against Him. In His mercy and grace, though, He not only forgives our sins but heaps blessings upon our head.

We cannot judge what men are by what they have been or what they will do by what they have done. God may use age and experience to make men wiser and better. Those that had sold Joseph as a slave will not now abandon Benjamin.