Joseph arrives for lunch. The brothers are waiting, with their gifts spread out for his review. Joseph does not take notice. Instead, he addresses what is most important to him: is his father still alive? The brothers answer his question and once again bow before him, further fulfilling his dream. Then he turns his attention to Benjamin. He blesses him using the name of the Lord. It's a slight hint to the brothers of their relationship and shared faith, but no one picks it up. The sight of his brother overwhelms his soul. The Hebrew phrase literally means "his compassion ran hot." It is our first peek at Joesph's motives, tangible evidence that he is motivated by love, a demonstration of God's amazing grace. Can you imagine? What if your brothers, sisters, or husband or wife had done to you what the brothers had done to Joseph? Would you weep tears of compassion? Or would you weep tears of self-pity? Would you even weep at all? It is the first sign of one of the great themes in the story of Joseph: forgiveness.
Joseph then has another test for the brothers. After baffling them by seating them in order of their birth, he piles on the servings to Benjamin—five times more than the other brothers. He is playing favorites, just like his father had done to him. On top of the blessing that he gave only Benjamin, will the brothers be jealous? Will they be resentful? Will they shun and show animosity because they have not received a blessing or extra meal portions? For the first time, the brothers passed the test. It is evidence that they are on the road to forgiveness and restoration.
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Kurt Snow serves as a ruling elder at Covenant Reformed Church of Sacramento (RCUS). He served as a member of the Board of Governors of City Seminary of Sacramento from 2000 to 2020.
