Continuing a chronological Bible study:
(Genesis 44:1) And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks
with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the
mouth of his sack. (2) And put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain money.” And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.
When it came time for his brothers to leave with what they had come for, Joseph instructed his steward to fill their sacks with as much food as they could carry, and to once again return their money to their sacks. However, this time he also told him to put his personal silver cup into the sack of Benjamin, his younger brother. The steward did as Joseph instructed. I can only guess at Joseph's motive for putting his cup in Benjamin's sack. Perhaps it was just so that he could detain them longer. But why Benjamin? Was it because Benjamin was his favorite and he wanted to detain him longer, or was there more to it? Maybe by putting his youngest brother, the favorite of his father, and only the half-brother to his other brothers, in this predicament, he was testing how his brothers would behave regarding Benjamin in this situation.
(3) As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys. (4) When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, "Get up, follow after the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, 'Why have you rewarded evil for good?'"
When his brothers had gone and were not too far away, Joseph sent his steward after the men, instructing him on just what to say. I have to wonder if there was some significance to his question, "Why have you rewarded evil for good?" It was meant to sound as if they had acted with great disrespect and ingratitude after they had been so well received and treated, but I can't help but wonder if Joseph meant more. After all, the truth was that they hadn't really stolen the cup and in so doing acted with that disrespect. Was Joseph trying to get them to reflect on what they had done in the past and come to real repentance? Joseph himself is the one who chose the words for the steward to say, so maybe they did have a greater purpose. However, it may just be that he was directing a plan to detain them, and that was really all there was to it, but I can't help but ponder all the details. Certainly God would have wanted a complete repentance and restoration, but He wouldn't guide people to use trickery and deceit, but then again He could allow good things to come to people who loved Him even though sometimes they didn't do the right things.
(5) "'Is not this the one from which my lord drinks, and with which he indeed divines? You have done evil in so doing.'"
Joseph continued telling the steward what to say. The word "divines" is a peculiar one here. While the Egyptians would have used divining from a cup during this time, and while Joseph might have need to look the part he played, I just don't think he himself would have made it a point to speak of divining by a cup, something a man of the one true God certainly never would have done. The original word for "divine" here is "nachash" and it can mean something like whispering a magic spell, practicing divination, and observing signs and omens. It can also mean to diligently observe and to learn by experience, and it has been used that way in other scriptures (1 Kings 20:33, Gen. 30:27). I see no reason why it shouldn't have been used that way here. Because this was the cup that Joseph used all the time, wouldn't it be one for which he would certainly look diligently and "divine" or discern to have been stolen? I honestly believe that is the way that scripture should read.
(6) And he overtook them, and he spoke to them these same words. (7) And they said to him, “Why does my lord say these words? God forbid that your servants should do such a thing. (8) Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought back to you from the land of Canaan; how then should we steal out of your lord's house silver or gold? (9) With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.”
The steward caught up with the brothers and told them what Joseph had told him to say. The brothers couldn't imagine why the steward would accuse them. After all, they had been honest enough to bring back the money they had found in their sacks. Why would they do that only to supposedly steal again? That's all well and good, but they went a little far in suggesting that if the cup was found with any of them, that person should die. Didn't they learn from the last visit that sometimes things wind up in their sacks that they didn't put there?
(10) And he said, “Now also let it be according to your words; he with whom it is found shall be my servant, and you shall be blameless.”
The steward liked what they said, but rather than kill the guilty one, he said that he would keep the man with whom the cup was found as his servant, and the rest of the men would be considered blameless. Perhaps the plan all along was just to detain Joseph's younger full brother longer.
(11) Then each man speedily let down his sack to the ground, and each opened his sack. (12) And he searched, and began with the oldest and left off with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. (13) Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city.
Knowing they weren't guilty of stealing any cup, the brothers all quickly let down their sacks and opened them. The steward searched each sack beginning with the sack of the oldest brother and ending with the sack of the youngest, which is where he found the cup, of course. The brothers tore their clothes, a sign of their sorrow and distress, and they all went back to the city. There was no way any of them was returning home without Benjamin.
(14) And Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, for he was still there; and they fell before him on the ground. (15) And Joseph said to them, “What deed is this you have done? Did you not know that such a man as I can certainly divine?"
The brothers came into Joseph's house and fell before him, throwing themselves at his feet for mercy. Once again we have that word "divine". No mention of the cup is made here, as with divining with a cup, and once again I think the sense is: did they not think a man such as he would certainly be able to discern what happened to the cup and would have the resources to find it?
(16) And Judah said, “What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how shall we
clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants; behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup was found.”
The brothers knew there was nothing they could say to clear themselves. No amount of protest and denial would do any good at this point as the cup was found with Benjamin. They decided this must be their just punishment for their sins of the past and were all willing to remain as Joseph's servants. They knew they could not return to their father without Benjamin. Benjamin was the only truly innocent one, as far as what they had done to Joseph in the past, but if the cup had been found with any other brother, I don't think they would have all been willing to stay as servants. After all, they had had no trouble leaving Simeon in prison for quite awhile until they had run out of food.
(17) And he said, "God forbid that I should do so; but the man in whose hand the cup was found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, go up in peace to your father.” (18) Then Judah came near to him and said, "Oh my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even as Pharaoh. (19) My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother?’ (20) And we said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loves him.’"
Joseph said that God forbid that he do such an unjust thing as to keep all the brothers as servants when only one was guilty; he intended to keep only Benjamin and send the other brothers back to their father. However, Judah approached Joseph and began to plead with him. First, he pleaded with him to be patient and hear him out, recognizing that he was as powerful as Pharaoh regarding what he would be able to inflict upon Judah and his brothers if he were angered by them. Judah then reminded Joseph that he had previously asked about their father and their younger brother. Apparently they had told him specifically about their father being an old man and having Benjamin in his old age, and that Benjamin was the last child of his mother, as his brother was dead (so they supposed), and so he was very dear to his father.
(21) "And you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.’ (22) And we said to my lord, ‘The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’ (23) And you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more.’"
Judah continued his plea with Joseph. He was the one who had guaranteed Benjamin's safety to his father, and he was now doing his best to let Joseph see the entire picture. Although this was an impassioned speech which would eventually melt the heart of Joseph, I am struck by how much they had already told Joseph that the reader was not made aware of when they first spoke. It seems to me they were already showing some love and concern for their father and brother when they first told Joseph they could not bring Benjamin back with them for fear it will kill their father, but apparently Joseph had insisted. That is what Judah reminded Joseph.
(24) "And it came to pass when we came up to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord. (25) And our father said, ‘Go again and buy us a little food.’ (26) And we said, ‘We cannot go down; if our youngest brother is with us, then we will go
down; for we may not see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’ (27) And your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons; (28) And the one went out from me, and I said, “Surely he is torn to pieces”; and I have not seen him since. (29) And if you take this one also from me, and mischief befalls him, you shall bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.’"
Judah told Joseph in detail what had transpired back home when the brothers told their father they must take Benjamin with them if they were to get any more food. He repeated the words of Jacob, revealing his deep anguish over the idea of sending his last son of his true love, his only lawful wife, Rachel, fearing the son would suffer the same tragic end as what he believed his brother had suffered.
(30) “Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life, (31) It shall come to pass, when he sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die; and your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father with sorrow to the grave. (32) For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame to my father forever.’ (33) Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a bondman to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. (34) For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest perhaps I see the evil that would come upon my father?”
Judah ended his earnest petition to Joseph that he please let him remain as Joseph's servant and let his youngest brother return to their father. He would rather be a slave to Joseph than to see the torture it would bring to his father if Benjamin did not go home to him. Judah did not even try to argue Benjamin's innocence; he accepted his guilty verdict, but pleaded that he himself suffer the sentence so as not to break his father's heart and bring him to the grave. This definitely reflected a changed heart from the jealous brother who was happy to be rid of an annoying brother, thinking only of himself, to a man now willing to give his life and freedom to save his father from a grief he thought would surely kill him.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Sunday, September 8, 2013
"If I Am Bereaved, I Am Bereaved" or The Will of the Lord Be Done
Continuing a chronological Bible study, now in the life of Joseph:
(Genesis 43:1) And the famine was severe in the land. (2) And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, "Go again, buy us a little food."
The famine was great in the land of Canaan where Jacob and his eleven sons lived. Ten of the sons had previously traveled to Egypt and bought grain to keep them from starving to death. They had bought it from Joseph, but did not recognize him. Joseph did recognize his brothers, but accused them of being spies and held Simeon in prison until the time they would return with their youngest brother, Benjamin, Joseph's one full brother. Jacob would not let them take Benjamin, being afraid he might lose him, too. So I guess they let Simeon sit in prison all this time until they ran out of the food they had purchased, and it was necessary to go back. Now they had to face the dilemma of what they must do.
(3) And Judah spoke to him, saying, "The man solemnly warned us, saying, 'You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.' (4) If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. (5) But if you will not send him, we will not go down, for the man said to us, 'You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.'"
It was Judah who spoke up and reminded Jacob of what Joseph had said to them. The sons put it all back on Jacob. They believed they could not return to Joseph without Benjamin, so if Jacob wanted them to buy food, he must agree to send Benjamin or they wouldn't go.
(6) And Israel said, "Why did you deal so ill with me, as to tell the man whether you had still another brother?"
Jacob, in his distress, blamed his ten sons for even telling Joseph about Benjamin in the first place. Why would they do this to him, he wanted to know.
(7) And they said, "The man asked us pointedly about ourselves and our family, saying, 'Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?' And we told him according to these words. Could we possibly have known that he would say, 'Bring your brother down'?"
Actually we weren't made privy to such a conversation. It seemed the brothers were spilling information to get themselves out of trouble. However, it's possible there was more to the conversation and maybe Joseph had asked pointed questions, and the details of the conversation were not given in the last chapter. Either way, it is true they could have never known the man would demand to see their youngest brother.
(8) And Judah said to Israel his father, "Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. (9) I will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. (10) For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time."
Judah told Jacob that he would personally be responsible for Benjamin, but played on Jacob's emotions by telling him that he must take Benjamin with him so that they all might live and not die, even all their innocent children. Judah, in a way, put the blame back on his father, saying if they had not lingered, which was Jacob's doing by refusing to let them take Benjamin, they would have already returned with him by now.
(11) And their father Israel said to them, "If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best fruits in the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man—a little balm, a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds. (12) And take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight. (13) Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man. (14) And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved."
Jacob, or Israel, as he was now named by God, relented, and said that if they must take Benjamin, they ought to do some things which would hopefully soften the heart of the man and convince him to release Simeon and allow the return of Benjamin. I was wondering if anyone was even thinking of Simeon anymore! Anyway, they were to take gifts to the man, and double the money, to repay the money that was returned and to buy more food. He prayed that God have mercy on them, but he was willing to subject to God's will, whatever the outcome.
(15) 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. (16) And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, "Bring these men home, and slaughter an animal and make ready; for these men will dine with me at noon." (17) And the man did as Joseph had bidden him to do, and the man brought the men into Joseph's house.
The sons of Jacob took the gifts and money, and with Benjamin, journeyed to Egypt and went back to Joseph. When Joseph saw his younger brother, he instructed the steward of his house to take the men back to his home and prepare a meal for them, and that is what he did.
(18) And the men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, "It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, that he may seek occasion against us, and overthrow us, and take us for slaves and our donkeys."
Coming from the man who had spoken so roughly and accused them before, this must have seemed strange to the brothers. The only reason they could think of for being brought to Joseph's house was that he might be better able to overtake them because of the returned money that set them up to look like thieves, in addition to spies.
(19) And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they talked with him at the door of the house, (20) And said, "O sir, we indeed came down the first time to buy food; (21) And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and behold, each man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight; and we have brought it back in our hand. (22) And we have brought down other money in our hands to buy food; we do not know who put our money in our sacks."
The brothers were very afraid as the steward brought them to Joseph's house and they began spilling everything to him at the door of the house. They were sure they were being taken for thieves, so they quickly explained they had planned to buy the food and indeed they were here to return the money and had more money to buy more food, and that they had no idea who put the money back in their sacks.
(23) And he said, "Peace be to you, fear not; your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money." And he brought Simeon out to them.
The steward seems to have known what took place regarding the money, although he didn't expressly say how they got their money back. He appears to have been a God-fearing man and he told them to consider the money a blessing from God and not to fear because he had been paid for the grain at the time of their first trip. Certainly we can assume that Joseph ordered that the brothers be repaid from his own money, and the steward may have been privy to this. If not, then as a God-fearing man, he was honest with them in that he had received their money, so they should consider any money they found to be a blessing. The steward then brought Simeon out to them.
(24) And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys feed. (25) And they made ready the present for Joseph came at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there. (26) And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
The steward of Joseph's house then brought the brothers on into the house and gave them water to wash their feet, which was the custom after traveling and/or when about to have a meal, and was probably for refreshment and for cleanliness. The brothers made ready and took the presents they had brought for Joseph out of their bags, and when he came home for the noon meal, they bowed down to him and presented him with their presents.
(27) And he asked them of their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” (28) And they answered, “Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.” And they bowed down their heads and prostrated themselves.
Joseph asked the brothers about their father whom they had spoken of before when they said they were the sons of one man. Of course, he was his father, too, and he was truly interested in his well-being. They told him that he was still alive and in good health. They again bowed before him.
(29) And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, “Is this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” (30) And Joseph made haste for deep in his bowels he did yearn for his brother; and he sought somewhere to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.
It was at that point that Joseph saw his brother Benjamin, the only other son of his mother, and as chief officer of Pharaoh, asked if this was the younger brother of which they had before spoken. He, of course, knew it was, and answered his own question when he greeted Benjamin with the wish that he have the gracious favor of God. He spoke quickly, answering himself, because the tears were welling up inside of him because of the deep love and yearning he had for his brother, and he had to go into his personal chamber to weep where he would not be seen or heard.
(31) And he washed his face and went out, and refrained himself, and said, “Serve the bread.” (32) And they set for him a place by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves; because the Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.
Joseph washed his face, regained his composure, and went back out with his brothers. He gave his servants orders to serve the meal. It appears there were three separate tables, or at least distinct separate areas where all the men sat--Joseph by himself, perhaps at the head of the table or across from his brothers; his brothers by themselves; and the Egyptians who dined with Joseph by themselves. Joseph may have sat apart from the others as in a place of honor as he was Pharaoh's right hand man. Regarding the rest of the men, we are told that Egyptians could not eat food with Hebrews. It's possible that was because Hebrews ate the animals that Egyptians worshiped, although I have read that might not have started until after the time of Joseph. Additionally, the Hebrews were shepherds, and Egypt had been almost ruined by hordes of lawless wandering bandits called "King-shepherds". The Egyptians were in general very superstitious and would have no social intercourse with people of any other nation.
(33) And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth; and the men marveled at one another. (34) And he took and sent servings to them from before him, but Benjamin’s serving was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him.
Joseph's brothers were so placed that they sat before him in order of their age. The brothers marveled at this, perhaps at the pomp and circumstance of it all, but I think it may have been because they were placed in age order. They were so placed by Joseph, which would have been something at which to marvel, that this supposed stranger correctly guessed their ages. Probably the dishes were brought to Joseph who then cut them up and served them to his guests. He served Benjamin five times as much as he did his other brothers because of his great affection for his one full brother, the only other son of his mother, Rachel. That may have seemed strange and perhaps something at which to marvel to the other brothers, but then again, this was the first time Joseph was supposedly meeting this youngest brother. The brothers ate, drank, and were merry, with their fears now surely calmed and subsided.
(Genesis 43:1) And the famine was severe in the land. (2) And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, "Go again, buy us a little food."
The famine was great in the land of Canaan where Jacob and his eleven sons lived. Ten of the sons had previously traveled to Egypt and bought grain to keep them from starving to death. They had bought it from Joseph, but did not recognize him. Joseph did recognize his brothers, but accused them of being spies and held Simeon in prison until the time they would return with their youngest brother, Benjamin, Joseph's one full brother. Jacob would not let them take Benjamin, being afraid he might lose him, too. So I guess they let Simeon sit in prison all this time until they ran out of the food they had purchased, and it was necessary to go back. Now they had to face the dilemma of what they must do.
(3) And Judah spoke to him, saying, "The man solemnly warned us, saying, 'You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.' (4) If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. (5) But if you will not send him, we will not go down, for the man said to us, 'You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.'"
It was Judah who spoke up and reminded Jacob of what Joseph had said to them. The sons put it all back on Jacob. They believed they could not return to Joseph without Benjamin, so if Jacob wanted them to buy food, he must agree to send Benjamin or they wouldn't go.
(6) And Israel said, "Why did you deal so ill with me, as to tell the man whether you had still another brother?"
Jacob, in his distress, blamed his ten sons for even telling Joseph about Benjamin in the first place. Why would they do this to him, he wanted to know.
(7) And they said, "The man asked us pointedly about ourselves and our family, saying, 'Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?' And we told him according to these words. Could we possibly have known that he would say, 'Bring your brother down'?"
Actually we weren't made privy to such a conversation. It seemed the brothers were spilling information to get themselves out of trouble. However, it's possible there was more to the conversation and maybe Joseph had asked pointed questions, and the details of the conversation were not given in the last chapter. Either way, it is true they could have never known the man would demand to see their youngest brother.
(8) And Judah said to Israel his father, "Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. (9) I will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. (10) For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time."
Judah told Jacob that he would personally be responsible for Benjamin, but played on Jacob's emotions by telling him that he must take Benjamin with him so that they all might live and not die, even all their innocent children. Judah, in a way, put the blame back on his father, saying if they had not lingered, which was Jacob's doing by refusing to let them take Benjamin, they would have already returned with him by now.
(11) And their father Israel said to them, "If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best fruits in the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man—a little balm, a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds. (12) And take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight. (13) Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man. (14) And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved."
Jacob, or Israel, as he was now named by God, relented, and said that if they must take Benjamin, they ought to do some things which would hopefully soften the heart of the man and convince him to release Simeon and allow the return of Benjamin. I was wondering if anyone was even thinking of Simeon anymore! Anyway, they were to take gifts to the man, and double the money, to repay the money that was returned and to buy more food. He prayed that God have mercy on them, but he was willing to subject to God's will, whatever the outcome.
(15) 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. (16) And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, "Bring these men home, and slaughter an animal and make ready; for these men will dine with me at noon." (17) And the man did as Joseph had bidden him to do, and the man brought the men into Joseph's house.
The sons of Jacob took the gifts and money, and with Benjamin, journeyed to Egypt and went back to Joseph. When Joseph saw his younger brother, he instructed the steward of his house to take the men back to his home and prepare a meal for them, and that is what he did.
(18) And the men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, "It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, that he may seek occasion against us, and overthrow us, and take us for slaves and our donkeys."
Coming from the man who had spoken so roughly and accused them before, this must have seemed strange to the brothers. The only reason they could think of for being brought to Joseph's house was that he might be better able to overtake them because of the returned money that set them up to look like thieves, in addition to spies.
(19) And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they talked with him at the door of the house, (20) And said, "O sir, we indeed came down the first time to buy food; (21) And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and behold, each man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight; and we have brought it back in our hand. (22) And we have brought down other money in our hands to buy food; we do not know who put our money in our sacks."
The brothers were very afraid as the steward brought them to Joseph's house and they began spilling everything to him at the door of the house. They were sure they were being taken for thieves, so they quickly explained they had planned to buy the food and indeed they were here to return the money and had more money to buy more food, and that they had no idea who put the money back in their sacks.
(23) And he said, "Peace be to you, fear not; your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money." And he brought Simeon out to them.
The steward seems to have known what took place regarding the money, although he didn't expressly say how they got their money back. He appears to have been a God-fearing man and he told them to consider the money a blessing from God and not to fear because he had been paid for the grain at the time of their first trip. Certainly we can assume that Joseph ordered that the brothers be repaid from his own money, and the steward may have been privy to this. If not, then as a God-fearing man, he was honest with them in that he had received their money, so they should consider any money they found to be a blessing. The steward then brought Simeon out to them.
(24) And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys feed. (25) And they made ready the present for Joseph came at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there. (26) And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
The steward of Joseph's house then brought the brothers on into the house and gave them water to wash their feet, which was the custom after traveling and/or when about to have a meal, and was probably for refreshment and for cleanliness. The brothers made ready and took the presents they had brought for Joseph out of their bags, and when he came home for the noon meal, they bowed down to him and presented him with their presents.
(27) And he asked them of their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” (28) And they answered, “Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.” And they bowed down their heads and prostrated themselves.
Joseph asked the brothers about their father whom they had spoken of before when they said they were the sons of one man. Of course, he was his father, too, and he was truly interested in his well-being. They told him that he was still alive and in good health. They again bowed before him.
(29) And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, “Is this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” (30) And Joseph made haste for deep in his bowels he did yearn for his brother; and he sought somewhere to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.
It was at that point that Joseph saw his brother Benjamin, the only other son of his mother, and as chief officer of Pharaoh, asked if this was the younger brother of which they had before spoken. He, of course, knew it was, and answered his own question when he greeted Benjamin with the wish that he have the gracious favor of God. He spoke quickly, answering himself, because the tears were welling up inside of him because of the deep love and yearning he had for his brother, and he had to go into his personal chamber to weep where he would not be seen or heard.
(31) And he washed his face and went out, and refrained himself, and said, “Serve the bread.” (32) And they set for him a place by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves; because the Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.
Joseph washed his face, regained his composure, and went back out with his brothers. He gave his servants orders to serve the meal. It appears there were three separate tables, or at least distinct separate areas where all the men sat--Joseph by himself, perhaps at the head of the table or across from his brothers; his brothers by themselves; and the Egyptians who dined with Joseph by themselves. Joseph may have sat apart from the others as in a place of honor as he was Pharaoh's right hand man. Regarding the rest of the men, we are told that Egyptians could not eat food with Hebrews. It's possible that was because Hebrews ate the animals that Egyptians worshiped, although I have read that might not have started until after the time of Joseph. Additionally, the Hebrews were shepherds, and Egypt had been almost ruined by hordes of lawless wandering bandits called "King-shepherds". The Egyptians were in general very superstitious and would have no social intercourse with people of any other nation.
(33) And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth; and the men marveled at one another. (34) And he took and sent servings to them from before him, but Benjamin’s serving was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him.
Joseph's brothers were so placed that they sat before him in order of their age. The brothers marveled at this, perhaps at the pomp and circumstance of it all, but I think it may have been because they were placed in age order. They were so placed by Joseph, which would have been something at which to marvel, that this supposed stranger correctly guessed their ages. Probably the dishes were brought to Joseph who then cut them up and served them to his guests. He served Benjamin five times as much as he did his other brothers because of his great affection for his one full brother, the only other son of his mother, Rachel. That may have seemed strange and perhaps something at which to marvel to the other brothers, but then again, this was the first time Joseph was supposedly meeting this youngest brother. The brothers ate, drank, and were merry, with their fears now surely calmed and subsided.
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