(a) This was a great temptation to Jacob to suffer such a
great famine in the land where God had promised to
bless him.
43:12 And take b double money in your hand; and the money that
was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry [it]
again in your hand; peradventure it [was] an oversight:
(b) When we are in need or danger, God does not forbid us
to use honest means to better our estate and
condition.
43:14 And c God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that
he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be
d bereaved [of my children], I am bereaved.
(c) Our main trust should be in God, not in worldly means.
(d) He speaks these words not so much in despair, but to
make his sons more careful to return with their
brother.
43:18 And the men were e afraid, because they were brought
into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money
that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we
brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall
upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.
(e) So the judgment of God weighed on their consciences.
43:23 And he said, Peace [be] to you, fear not: f your God,
and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in
your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out
unto them.
(f) Despite the corruption of Egypt, Joseph taught his
family to fear God.
43:29 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin,
his g mother's son, and said, [Is] this your younger
brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be
gracious unto thee, my son.
(g) For only these two were born of Rachel.
43:32 And they h set on for him by himself, and for them by
themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him,
by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread
with the Hebrews; for that [is] an i abomination unto
the Egyptians.
(h) To signify his dignity.
(i) The nature of the superstitions is to condemn all
others in respect to themselves.
43:34 And he took [and sent] messes unto them from before him:
but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of
theirs. And they drank, k and were merry with him.
(k) Sometimes this word means "to be drunken", but here it
means that they had enough, and drank of the best
wine.
