A Mysterious Man

The threat of starvation forces Jacob to send Benjamin with his brothers to get food in
Egypt. Their lives are at stake, for they know they will likely be falsely accused of stealing the silver that had mysteriously been found in their bags. But if that was an odd finding, the mystery only deepens when they return to Egypt only to have this mysterious man treat them – and particularly Benjamin – with unusual kindness. What we find is that Joseph, in his work of reconciliation, is demonstrating a pre-messianic anticipation of the mission of the Holy Spirit. The skeletal formation of the New Testament Church is seen in Joseph’s story. It’s a chapter that begins with starving and ends with feasting – but with a hint of more testing to come for Joseph’s brothers.