They told him that their father lived, and was in good health. Then Joseph, seeing Benjamin, inquired if that was their youngest brother. They answered: “He is our youngest brother.” Then Joseph said: “God be gracious to thee, my son”; and, going out, he wept, for his heart was deeply touched[1] at the sight of his younger brother. Having dried his tears and washed his face[2], he returned to his brethren and ordered food to be placed before them. Then they were ordered to sit before him, and he placed them according to their age, the first-born first, and the youngest last. All received gifts, but Benjamin received five times more[3] than the rest. And they wondered [4] much.
COMMENTARY.
God rules over everything, even the hearts of men. For this reason Jacob said when he sent his sons back to Egypt: “May Almighty God make the man favourable to you.” God governs the hearts of men by His grace. “As the division of the waters, so is the heart of the king in the hand of the Lord. Whithersoever He will, He shall turn it” (Prov. 21, 1).
Love for parents. The first thing Joseph did was to ask after his father. While he was at home, Joseph had loved, honoured and obeyed him, and been a joy to him; and now, though he had become so distinguished, rich and powerful, he still loved his father dearly, and was most anxious for news of his welfare. He thus observed the Fourth Commandment.
Love for brothers and sisters. Joseph sincerely loved his brothers. He meant well by them, and was severe to them only for the purpose of doing them good. As soon as he was sure that Benjamin had suffered no harm from them, he was kind to them. He did not return evil for evil, but rather good for evil. They had sold him for money, and he, in return, gave them plenty of corn. They had thrown him into a pit and nearly starved him: he took them into his house, and feasted them royally. They had treated him as a rogue and a slave: he had them waited on like princes. They remained unmoved, when he prayed for
- ↑ Touched. Benjamin had been quite a little child when Joseph was sold.
- ↑ Washed his face. So that they might not see that he had been weeping.
- ↑ Five times more. By doing this, Joseph not only wished to distinguish and favour his younger brother, but he also wished to see if his brothers envied Benjamin, as they had envied him.
- ↑ They wondered. They could not understand how this Egyptian governor could know which was eldest &c. With the exception of Benjamin, they were all grown men of over forty, and, at that time of life, it is not easy to judge the difference of age.
