Introduction
The final tests for the brothers.
Questions
1. What does Joseph tell his steward to do?
v 1 and 2 ... “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in his sack’s mouth. 2 Put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, with his grain money.” ...
2. What did Judah tell Joseph that God had found out about them?
v 16 ... “What will we tell my lord? What will we speak? How will we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants. Behold, we are my lord’s slaves, both we and he also in whose hand the cup is found.”
3. What does Judah offer to do so that Benjamin can return to his father and why does he make the offer?
v 33 and 34 Now therefore, please let your servant stay instead of the boy, my lord’s slave; and let the boy go up with his brothers. 34 For how will I go up to my father, if the boy isn’t with me?—lest I see the evil that will come on my father.”
Summary Points
- v 1 to 6 Joseph asks his steward to hide his cup in Benjamin’s sack. When his brothers leave next morning he sends his steward after them to retrieve it
- v 7 to 13 The brothers protest their innocence and suggest that whoever is found having Joseph's cup will die and the rest of them will be Joseph's slaves. They are dismayed when the cup is found in Benjamin's sack
- v 14 to 34 Judah tells Joseph that God has found out their guilt. Joseph says that Benjamin will be his slave, and the rest can return home. Judah says that leaving Benjamin behind will kill his ageing father, so he offers to be Joseph's slave