Today's readings: Genesis 43-44, Job 35-36, and Proverbs 4:10-19.
I. Joseph's brothers tarried in Canaan, no doubt afraid of the Egyptian vizier, Joseph their brother, unbeknownst to them, until they needed food again, for there was still famine. So Jacob/Israel bade them to return, even relenting on sending Benjamin after Judah personally vouched for his safety (43:1-15). Joseph is emotional over seeing Benjamin, and throws a feast for all his brothers (43:16-17). They were amazed that Joseph inquired about their father, Jacob/Israel, seemed to favor Benjamin, and sat them in order of their birth (43:27-34). The last especially must have left them confused. The brothers then received all the grain they needed, as well as secretly all their gold back, and Joseph's silver drinking cup was stashed in Benjamin's sack, all per Joseph's instructions, and they departed to return to their father. Joseph's stewards and I presume soldiers then caught up with them, accused them of theft, and found the drinking cup in Benjamin's sack (44:1-17). Today's reading in Genesis ends with a very emotional plea by Judah for the life of Benjamin, saying his enslavement for "stealing" the cup would kill Jacob/Israel upon learning of it (44:18-34).
The Ignatius Bible notes why Joseph tricked his brothers with the silver drinking cup:
Joseph stages a final test to ascertain his brothers' love for Benjamin as well as their loyalty to Jacob. Planting his silver cup in Benjamin's grain sack succeeds in bringing both of these relational issues into the spotlight. (p. 112)
Indeed, it did. Considering the way his brothers had treated him, it's understandable why he would be concerned for little Benjamin, along with whether they were truly loyal to their father now. Judah certainly comes out looking much better here than before. In fact, we get a hint of the Gospel much later from his time period, which the BIY Companion, Vol 1, seems to allude to:
Earlier in Genesis, Joseph's brother Judah sins by having sexual relations with his daughter-in-law, thinking that she is a prostitute. When his family is threatened, though, Judah is a shining son and brother. We can pray to be not only like Joseph, who walks with the Lord, but also like Judah, whose heart changes. Grace teaches us that none of us have to remain in our sin. With God's grace, each of us can change. (p. 52)
II. Young Elihu gives a third speech in chapter 35, in which he condemns self-righteousness. Interestingly, in verses 9-16, he gives a defense of God's supposed indifference. As the Ignatius Bible notes:
Elihu responds to Job's argument in 24:1-12. Job has reasoned that God must be indifferent to the cries of the oppressed, for he often allows them to suffer while the evil man lives securely. Elihu offers a different interpretation: God is not indifferent to persons in need; rather, the fault lies with men, who are often proud and forgetful of all that God has done for them. If God fails to answer, it is because men have failed to trust in him (35:12-13). Elihu thus infers that Job has received no response from the Lord because his pleas are either devoid of faith or laden with insincere motive (cf. Jas 4:3). (p. 819)
In chapter 36, Elihu gives a final speech, speaking on God's behalf. In this, he "extols the wisdom, justice, and power of God" (p. 819).
III. Not as bad as before, but we don't get to finish chapter 4 in Proverbs. Instead, we get verses 10-19. The father pleads with his son to "accept my words, that the years of your life may be many". The latter should always stay on the path of wisdom, "the light of dawn", instead of being like the wicked that "do not know over what they stumble".
Pretty standard stuff, but still good.
That's it for today!
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