Part 6 of 9 - Joseph (11th son of Jacob)

Genesis 43

re-told by Debbie Dunn

Story highlights:

* Benjamin traveled with his brothers to Egypt

* Joseph's brothers hope to buy more food from Governor of Egypt

* Brothers did not recognize that Joseph whom they sold into slavery was now 2nd-in-command

Bible role-play begins:

Narrator #1: It is still the second year of the 7-year famine of hardly any food or grain to eat.

Narrator #2: As you likely recall, Joseph's ten older brothers took their donkeys and made the 250- to 330-mile trip from Canaan to Egypt to buy the only food available.

Narrator #1: They had no idea that the governor of Egypt, the 2nd-in-command, was their younger brother Joseph, whom they had heartlessly sold into slavery 20 years before.

Narrator #2: As we mentioned last week, Joseph had a different name, an older face, and a different hair and clothes style.

Narrator #1: He also pretended that he could only speak Egyptian instead of their native language of Hebrew. Joseph even used an interpreter to communicate with them.

Narrator #2: Joseph had harshly accused them of being spies instead of honest men. He held Simeon as hostage and gave them a direct order.

Narrator #1: "Do NOT ever come back here again to buy food without bringing your youngest brother Benjamin as proof that you are actually honest men!"

Narrator #2: As you know, Benjamin was Joseph's actual baby brother, whom he had not seen in 20 years. Their mother had died giving birth to him.

Narrator #1: But Jacob did not want to lose his last connection to his favorite wife, Rachel, by sending her second son to Egypt.

Narrator #2: Jacob, also known as Israel, had already lost Joseph, her firstborn son. It would break his heart to lose Benjamin, as well.

Narrator #1: But when the family ran out of grain, Jacob said to his nine older sons, "Go back to Egypt to buy us a little more food."

Narrator #2: His fourth son by Leah, Judah, reminded his father of what the governor of Egypt had ordered.

bring this trouble on me by telling that leader you had a younger brother?"

Narrator #2: The brothers explained, "That governor accused us of being spies. We told him we were honest men who would answer all his questions truthfully."

Narrator #1: "He asked us if our father was still living. He asked us if we had any other brothers. We answered 'YES' to both questions."

Narrator #2: "We never could have guessed he would use our words against us by demanding to see young Benjamin in person."

Narrator #1: Judah then said, "Father, send the boy with me, and we will go at once to buy food. That way, we can all live and not die of starvation."

Narrator #2: "I promise you, Father, that I will personally guarantee his safety. I will be responsible for him. I will bear all the blame if I cannot successfully bring him back to you."

Narrator #1: The sound of hungry stomachs growling could likely be heard all around their tent.

Narrator #2: Finally, their father had to give in. Jacob sighed, "If it must be, then do this. Bring that governor a gift of the best products of our land."

Narrator #1: "Bring him a little balm (a good-smelling medicine made from plants), a little honey, some spices, some myrrh (an anointing oil used to make perfume), some pistachio nuts, and almonds."

Narrator #2: "Also, bring him twice the amount of silver coins. That way, you can pay for the grain you purchased before plus the grain you will buy now."

Narrator #1: "Finally, take Benjamin with you. May God Almighty grant you mercy before the governor so that he will let Simeon go, return Benjamin, and bring all of you safely home."

Narrator #2: "As for me, if I die of a broken heart, so be it. What will be, will be."

Narrator #1: So, Joseph's nine older brothers and his little brother Benjamin started on the 4- to 6-week journey to Egypt to buy some life-saving grain.

Narrator #2: When they finally arrived, Joseph spotted the young brother he had not seen in 20 years.

Narrator #1: Joseph turned to his trusted steward and whispered, "Take these men to my house. Slaughter an animal and prepare a meal, so that they can eat a noon-day meal with me."

Narrator #2: When his brothers saw that the steward took them to Joseph's actual house, they were very frightened.

Narrator #1: They worried that they would be accused of being thieves since their silver had been in their sacks.

Narrator #2: They wondered, "Does that governor plan to attack us? Will he overpower us? Will he seize us as slaves and take our donkeys?"

Narrator #1: Quickly, they turned to the steward and said, "We beg pardon! When we came down here before, we discovered our silver in our sacks as well as the grain."

Narrator #2: "Please believe us that we did our best to pay for the grain that we bought. We really are honest men!"

Narrator #1: "We even brought you twice the amount of silver to pay for that former purchase, plus the grain we wish to buy today. Please believe us!"

Narrator #2: Would the steward believe them? Or would their poor father never see his beloved sons again? Tune in next week to find out what happened next.

Narrator #1: END OF SKIT. Let's give our volunteers a great big hand!