Genesis 43:1-17
Bring Benjamin Down
1Now the famine was still severe in the land.
2So when Jacob’s sons had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”
3But Judah replied, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’
4If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you.
5But if you will not send him, we will not go; for the man told us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’”
6“Why did you bring this trouble upon me?” Israel asked. “Why did you tell the man you had another brother?”
7They replied, “The man questioned us in detail about ourselves and our family: ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ And we answered him accordingly. How could we possibly know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother here’?”
8And Judah said to his father Israel, “Send the boy with me, and we will go at once, so that we may live and not die—neither we, nor you, nor our children.
9I will guarantee his safety. You may hold me personally responsible. If I do not bring him back and set him before you, then may I bear the guilt before you all my life.
10If we had not delayed, we could have come and gone twice by now.”
11Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your packs and carry them down as a gift for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds.
12Take double the silver with you so that you may return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake.
13Take your brother as well, and return to the man at once.
14May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother along with Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”
15So the men took these gifts, along with double the amount of silver, and Benjamin as well. Then they hurried down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.
16When Joseph saw Benjamin with his brothers, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for they shall dine with me at noon.”
17The man did as Joseph had commanded and took the brothers to Joseph’s house.
Berean Standard Bible
The famine remains severe. When Jacob's family has eaten all the grain from Egypt, Jacob tells his sons to go back and buy a little food. Judah reminds him that the Egyptian ruler warned them not to return without Benjamin. Judah promises that he will be responsible for Benjamin and that they will go if Jacob sends him.
Israel asks why they told the man they had another brother. They explain that the man questioned them carefully about their family and demanded to see their brother. Judah says that if they had not delayed, they could have gone and returned twice. The family cannot avoid the problem by wishing it away.
Judah tells Jacob to send Benjamin. He offers to stand as surety for him and says that if he does not bring Benjamin back, Judah will bear the blame forever. Israel finally agrees. He tells them to take a gift, double the money, and the money returned in their sacks. They should also take Benjamin. Israel prays that God Almighty will grant them mercy before the Egyptian ruler so that he will send back Benjamin and Simeon.
The brothers go down to Egypt and stand before Joseph. When Joseph sees Benjamin, he tells the steward of his house to bring the men home, slaughter an animal, and prepare a meal because they will dine with him at noon. The steward does as Joseph orders.
Jacob's decision is not casual. He is surrendering the child he has protected, but he also sends provisions, honest money, and a prayer for mercy. Judah's pledge begins to show a changed willingness to bear responsibility for a brother.
Questions
1 What condition did the Egyptian ruler set?
AnswerThe brothers could not return without bringing Benjamin.
2 Who offered to guarantee Benjamin’s safety?
AnswerJudah offered to stand surety for Benjamin.
3 What did Israel send with his sons?
AnswerHe sent a gift, double money, the returned money, and Benjamin.
4 What did Joseph order for his brothers?
AnswerHe ordered his steward to prepare a meal for them.
What This Means for Us
Responsibility becomes credible when we accept a real cost for another person's safety. Do not make promises casually, and do not ask someone to trust you without a plan. When fear has made you controlling, share the burden with trustworthy people and take the next honest step with prayer rather than denial.
Prayer
God of mercy, give us courage when fear makes responsibility feel impossible. Help us make honest plans, keep promises, and bear appropriate costs for the safety of others. Teach our family to combine practical preparation with prayer and to let trust grow through dependable action. Amen.