When the famine continued and the grain had run out Jacob told his sons to go back to Egypt to buy more grain, Genesis 43:1-2. It was Judah who stepped up and insisted his father understand they would not get to see the man’s face until they brought Benjamin, the youngest son, with them. It was Judah who took responsibility for Benjamin. In Genesis 37:26 it was Judah who also convinced his brothers not to kill Joseph but to sell him to the Midianite merchants for twenty shekels of silver.

They returned bearing double the silver to pay for the grain along with the gifts of balm, honey, spices, myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds…and most importantly, with Benjamin. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare a meal; they are to eat with me at noon.” v. 16. The brothers weren’t sure what was going on but they were anxious to explain to Joseph’s steward about the silver from the first journey that they found in their sacks with the grain they had purchased. “It’s all right,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. v. 23. How amazing…an Egyptian steward to Joseph credited God with the treasure in their sacks.

When Joseph went home, he saw his brothers who immediately bowed before him to the ground. As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there. v. 29-30. Now Joseph could see all of his brothers and was especially moved with his youngest brother Benjamin.

As I read this I can’t help but think about other families torn apart from one another to be reunited years later. The joy they must feel, drinking in one another as you gaze to see how they have changed and how they are still there as you remember their eyes, their smiles. They were able to eat a meal together. So they feasted and drank freely with him. v. 34. Imagine the relief and also the confusion at being treated in this way; eating in this man’s private home with him. I wonder what Jacob was feeling waiting and hoping his 11 sons would be returned to him safely.

One day, there will be a family reunion for each of us. Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” (Isaiah 65:17) for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ (Isaiah 25:8) or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4.

In Joseph’s home with his brothers, They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians. v. 32. The “old order of things”. In the family reunion to come, we will finally realize we are God’s family…no one will be “detestable” and looked down upon. How I can’t wait for this “old order” to pass away! When we read the Old Testament, we are reading about our family history with all the good and the bad; and right there if we have eyes to see and hearts open to receive, we see God who loves us and will wipe away every tear from our eyes that fall from the pains of sin we ourselves inflict. We will be received with love and I would imagine the work of understanding what we have been and how that cannot continue from “the old order of things” into God’s dwelling place with us, will begin. Isn’t that we pray? Can we mean that prayer Jesus taught? Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…Luke 11:2.