May 28, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis 42 –The Journey of Jacob’s Sons to Egypt (Part 1)

Jacob’s Sons—Without Benjamin—Brought Before Joseph’s Throne

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Bible Text – Genesis 42 (KJV)

¹ Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?

² And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.

³ And Joseph’s ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.

⁴ But Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.

⁵ And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

⁶ And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.

⁷ And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.

⁸ And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.

⁹ And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

¹⁰ And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.

¹¹ We are all one man’s sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.

¹² And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

¹³ And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.

¹⁴ And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies:

¹⁵ Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.

¹⁶ Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.

¹⁷ And he put them all together into ward three days.

¹⁸ And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:

¹⁹ If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:

²⁰ But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.

²¹ And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.

²² And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.

²³ And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.

²⁴ And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.

²⁵ Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man’s money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.

²⁶ And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence.

²⁷ And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack’s mouth.

²⁸ And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?

²⁹ And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying,

³⁰ The man, who is the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country.

³¹ And we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies:

³² We be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.

³³ And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone:

³⁴ And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land.

³⁵ And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack: and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.

³⁶ And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.

³⁷ And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.

³⁸ And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

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Introduction

In Genesis 42 the dramatic reunion begins between Jacob’s sons and their brother Joseph—now a powerful ruler in Egypt. Jacob, fearful for Benjamin’s safety, sends only his ten older sons to buy grain. Their return without Benjamin and their second appearance before Joseph trigger guilt, testing, and the unfolding of long-hidden truths.

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Commentary

1. Jacob’s Fear and the Mission Sent (vv. 1–4)

   • Jacob recognizes the famine in Canaan and sends ten of his sons to Egypt for grain.

   • He protects Benjamin by keeping him behind, fearing harm.

2. First Encounter with Joseph (vv. 5–8)

   • The brothers bow in reverence, but Joseph acts like a stranger and speaks harshly.

   • They admit they come from Canaan, yet he conceals his identity.

3. Accusation of Spying (vv. 9–17)

   • Joseph accuses them of being spies and demands proof: bring their youngest brother.

   • He confines them for three days to test their honesty.

4. Conditions for Release (vv. 18–20)

   • Joseph offers life if they leave Simeon as a hostage and return with Benjamin.

5. Conscience and Confession (vv. 21–24)

   • The brothers repent among themselves, acknowledging their past betrayal of Benjamin.

   • Joseph shows silent compassion—he weeps—yet still binds Simeon.

6. Provision and Ominous Sign (vv. 25–28)

   • Their sacks are filled with grain and miraculously include their own money.

   • The discovery terrifies them, revealing God’s unseen provision.

7. Return and Jacob’s Reaction (vv. 29–38)

   • The brothers recount their humiliation and Benjamin’s demand to Jacob.

   • Jacob is anguished, fearing Benjamin’s loss. Reuben pledges his life to protect him.

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Summary

Joseph’s brothers stand before him unrecognized, facing accusations that mirror their past deceit. Joseph’s testing—through Simeon’s detainment and the demand for Benjamin—confronts their conscience. Meanwhile, God’s providence shines through as their money is mysteriously returned, foreshadowing reconciliation and deeper revelations to come.

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Application for Today

• God tests our hearts: Crises reveal our true motives and integrity.

• Repentance begins within: Genuine remorse for past wrongs is the first step toward healing.

• Divine provision is often hidden: God works behind the scenes to meet our needs.

• Reconciliation requires courage: True healing demands we risk our comfort for the sake of others.

• Trust God’s unfolding plan: Even in fear and guilt, God calls us to take the next step in faith—just as Jacob’s family must send Benjamin to Egypt.

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May 25 – 31, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 7

The Flood

Read online here

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Introduction

In a world once of paradisiacal beauty, deep corruption reigned: idolatry, violence, and moral decay had driven out trust in the Creator. When God saw that “every intent of the thoughts of [people’s] hearts was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5), He announced a worldwide judgment by water—and at the same time provided a means of rescue: Noah’s Ark.

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Commentary

1.The Earth’s Fatal Condition

• • Corrupted by idolatry and self-deification

  • Adultery, violence, and licentiousness: violations of God’s order for life

2.Noah’s Commission and Preparation

• • 120 years of Ark-building as a living warning

  • Preaching repentance and extending an invitation to salvation

3.God’s Deliverance for Noah and His Family

• • The Ark as a sign of divine grace and obedience

  • The closing of the door: the end of all opportunity for repentance

4.The Day of Judgment in the Flood

• • The bursting of the subterranean springs and the opening of the heavens

  • Destruction of the unrepentant; preservation of the righteous

5.A Type of the Final Judgment

• • Parallels between Noah’s day and the last days (Matt. 24:38–39; 2 Pet. 3)

  • God’s warning and invitation remain in effect until Christ’s return

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Summary

The pre-Flood generation abused God’s gifts and life itself, denied Him, and forged their own destruction in sin. God revealed His judgment to Noah, yet at the same time offered rescue to him and his family through the Ark. Those who heeded God’s call were saved; those who persisted in rebellion were swept away in judgment. The Flood displays both God’s holy justice and His merciful deliverance for all who believe and obey.

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Message for Us Today

• Watchfulness and Repentance: As in Noah’s day, our hearts can easily be seized by selfishness and excess. God’s warning calls us to turn from sin and live holy lives.

• Obedience as Deliverance: Those who heed God’s voice and walk in His ways find rescue—not by their own merit, but by His grace.

• Eschatological Parallel: The Flood is a sobering picture of Christ’s coming judgment. Let us prepare by living in faith, shunning sin, and sharing the saving message with others.