GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 42 (Gen 42:1) Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another? If these sons started looking at one another when they heard the word, “Egypt,” it would be obvious why they would start suddenly glancing at one another to see their reaction, and since they all would do it Jacob would wonder why. Only they knew that the word “Egypt,” brought back painful memories of the sale of their brother. Conscience has a powerful way of intruding when the slightest thing happens, a word that cuts like a knife, and a view that recalls a memory. There is no way to hinder the entrance of the policeman of conscience when we have violated its law. (Gen 42:2) And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die. Ordinarily such a wealthy man as Jacob would send servants down to get bread, and the only reason that can be given for him not doing so this time is that it was in the providence of God to get the family to Egypt. Jacob would certainly have plenty of servants to send and there was no particular reason for the sons to leave home. (Gen 42:3) And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt. It was not said that Jacob’s ten sons, went down, which would be true in itself, but Joseph’s ten brethren, to identify them with him whom they sold; the one they now would go and buy from and fulfill the dream that they would one day bow before their brother. Home is on earth the best likeness of heaven; and heaven is that last and best home in which, when the journey of life is over, Joseph and his brethren, Jacob and his sons, Rachel and her children, shall meet to part no more. (Dean Stanley) (Gen 42:4) But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.
GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 42—PAGE 1