Q&A Books/Genesis Truth Boosters/Genesis 42Chapter 42Genesis 425questionsQ1.Why was Jacob so protective of Benjamin in Genesis 42:4? Was it just because Benjamin was the only remaining son of Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife, or was there something deeper going on? Doesn’t Jacob’s favoritism reflect poorly on him as a father, especially since it caused so much trouble in the past?Q2.Why didn’t Joseph immediately tell his brothers who he was when they came to Egypt to buy grain? If he loved them and missed his family, why not reveal himself right away instead of putting them through all those tests? Wasn’t his behavior manipulative or even vengeful?Q3.Why did Joseph’s brothers refer to themselves as his servants in Genesis 42:10? Was this just a cultural way of speaking, or did it have deeper significance, especially considering Joseph’s earlier dreams where they bowed down to him? Were they unknowingly fulfilling those dreams, and what does this mean in the broader biblical context?Q4.Why did Joseph’s brothers blame God for what seemed to be a theft in Genesis 42:28? They found their money returned in their grain sacks and reacted with fear, saying, ‘What is this that God has done to us?’ Was this an accusation against God, or did they believe He was somehow orchestrating these events? How can we make sense of their reaction?Q5.Question Three Hundred Forty-Five: Reuben makes a risky vow in Genesis 42:37, offering the lives of his own sons as a pledge for Benjamin’s safety. Isn’t this extreme and irresponsible? When does making a vow go too far? Does the Bible condone such actions, or is this an example of human folly?
