Q&A Books/Genesis Truth Boosters/Genesis 43Chapter 43Genesis 439questionsQ1.In Genesis 43:3, Judah takes the lead among his brothers and speaks to his father Jacob about returning to Egypt. Why does Judah emerge as a leader, and what is the significance of his leadership in the larger biblical narrative? How does this connect to the prophecy in Genesis 49:10-12 about Judah becoming a ruler and to the Messiah?Q2.If Benjamin is referred to as a 'boy' in Genesis 43:8, how old was he really at the time Judah asked Jacob to send him to Egypt? If Joseph had been sold into slavery years earlier, wouldn’t Benjamin have been much older by this point? Why call him a boy if he was a grown man?Q3.If Jacob and his family were suffering from famine, why would he send gifts to Egypt? Wouldn’t it be wasteful to offer precious items when they were struggling to survive? Why were gifts necessary in this situation, and what purpose did they serve?Q4.Why would Joseph’s brothers fear an invitation to his house in Genesis 43:18? Normally, being invited to someone’s home would be a gesture of kindness or hospitality, so why were they so worried? Was their fear justified, or does this reveal something deeper about their guilt and circumstances?Q5.How long was Simeon imprisoned in Egypt while his brothers returned to Canaan to bring back Benjamin? Why would Joseph keep one of his brothers imprisoned for such a long time, and what does this teach us about God's purposes in this part of the story?Q6.Why did Joseph’s brothers bow down and prostrate themselves before him in Genesis 43:28? Was this just cultural respect, or does it have a deeper significance? How does this connect to Joseph’s earlier dreams, and what does it reveal about God’s involvement in the story?Q7.In Genesis 43:32, we read that the Egyptians wouldn’t eat with the Hebrews because it was ‘detestable’ to them. Does this mean the Egyptians were racially prejudiced against the Hebrews? Why was there such separation at meals, and what does this reveal about their culture and beliefs?Q8.In Genesis 43:33, Joseph seated his brothers according to their birth order during the meal. Was this a common practice in ancient times, or was Joseph trying to send a message? What’s the significance of this arrangement, and how does it fit into the larger biblical narrative?Q9.Joseph gave Benjamin five times more food than his other brothers in Genesis 43:34. Isn’t that favoritism? Doesn’t the Bible warn against showing favoritism?
