Sending Benjamin

 Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as we discover new insights and new perspectives from a very old book.

I'm reading Young's Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

In Chapter 42 they left Simeon behind as a prisoner in Egypt, to be released only if Benjamin is presented to Joseph. Reuben pleads with his father, even betting his own two sons' lives that he'd keep Benjamin safe. But Jacob refuses to send Benjamin, which means it doesn't matter to him if he never sees Simeon again.

(Simeon was a murderer, so perhaps this serves him right.)

As time passes and their food runs out. Jacob apparently forgets that the brothers couldn't buy more food from Joseph unless they take Benjamin with them. It’s now Judah, not Reuben, who personally guarantees Benjamin's safety. 

Jacob finally consents, as people without options do. 

One detail I didn't recall is that while Joseph feasts with his brothers, the Egyptians ate separately, because to eat with the Hebrews was an "abomination."

A brief Internet look-up suggests that "Hebrew" means people from "across the river" and refers to Eber, an ancestor of Abraham.

That the Egyptians segregated themselves from the Hebrews perhaps indicates that their cultures were very different. The descendants of Ham (representing the material world) didn't want to mix with the descendants of Shem (representing spiritual consciousness) despite being governed by a Hebrew ex-slave.

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!

(Photo credit: TyshkunVictor)