Genesis 43:11-16 "And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds: And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight: Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man: And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon."
Israel had finally become reconciled to the fact that his youngest son, Benjamin, would have to go with his brothers into Egypt. Even though there was great famine in the land, he had his sons to gather the best of such as they had to present to Joseph. It was only a little, but they meant to bring what they had. Israel also instructed them to take twice as much money as they expected to pay plus the money that had been returned to them from their first trip to buy corn.
Finally, he told them to take their youngest brother (Israel’s last connection to his beloved Rachel) and go back to “the man.” There was a major shift in Israel’s countenance concerning this matter. It was not because he was sending a gift for the man (Joseph) or because they were taking extra money to buy their safe conduct. The difference was found in the fact that Israel had remembered God.
He had not simply remembered God, but he had remembered that He was God Almighty. He put his trust in God’s mercy, and he was reconciled to God’s will. If God showed mercy, then Simeon and Benjamin would be returned to him. If not, then he would bow before the outcome according to God’s will.
This was the first time that Joseph had seen Benjamin in many years. When he saw that they had brought Benjamin as he had required, he told the steward of his house to bring all his brothers to his home. They would dine with him that day. And he would share the noon meal with them.
When we remember that we serve God Almighty, things that we thought would break us become doable. Our trust is in One who can do all things and works all things according to the counsel of His own will. We become reconciled to outcomes that we cannot yet see. Like Joseph’s brothers, we may find ourselves seated at our brother’s table in the brightest light of day. There is still joy awaiting that we cannot yet see!