Daily Lectionary | Genesis 42 & Matthew 2
Genesis 42
Summary
“All the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain...” (Gen. 41:57). Joseph is God’s servant who will feed the world. That includes feeding his own family.
Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to buy grain. Jacob kept back his youngest son Benjamin, which reminds us of Jacob keeping back Joseph when his other brothers were out working with the flocks (Gen. 37:12-17).
Joseph dreamed that his brothers would bow down before him, and that happens in Gen. 42:6. The theme of deception continues in the story of Joseph. Joseph begins a ploy to hide his identity to gather information from his brothers. He accuses them of spying, but Joseph is the one spying on his brothers.
Joseph tells them to fetch their other brother from Canaan and return. Joseph requires them to hold back one brother as security, and so takes Simeon from them.
Joseph sent them out of Egypt back home with money and provisions for the journey. This boon frightens them because they know they could be accused of stealing. In the story of Rachel leaving Laban’s, she steals the household gods only to have Laban come looking for them.
Jacob fears Simeon, like Joseph, is lost forever and can’t fathom giving up Benjamin as well. Reuben, who at least raised a protest in the initial selling of Joseph, offers an oath on pain of his own sons if he does not return with Benjamin.
Reflection Questions
What effect does Joseph not revealing his true identity immediately have on the narrative?
How do we see Reuben’s character developed in the Joseph story?
Matthew 2
In Numbers chapter 22 we meet a Gentile prophet from the east, Balaam, who utters a prophecy about a star. This prophet refused to prophesy against Israel despite being urged to do so. Interpreters have seen the Magi in Matthew 2 operating in a similar capacity: coming from the east, relating their ministry to a star, and favorably disposed to the Lord.
The Magi are drawn in by a great light. The exact nature of this star is not clear. But the Old Testament background of Israel called to be a light for the nations (e.g. Is. 42:2; Isa. 60:1-2) must be in view.
Herod operates like a Pharaoh figure. His rule is threatened by the talk of another king. He pretends to be interested in worshipping this king, but his intent is only murderous. From what he learns from the wise men, he executes baby boys under two in the region of Bethlehem. The obvious connection is Pharoah’s execution of male Hebrew children in the opening of Exodus. But like Moses was rescued, so is Jesus. But he’s rescued, strangely, by a descent into Egypt. Israel has become Egypt. Herod the King of the Jews has become Pharaoh the persecutor of the Jews.
Jesus and family will find protection among the Gentiles. And when Joseph learns that Herod is dead, he returns his family to the district of Galilee once again among the Gentiles.
The Magi are Gentiles from the East and bring gifts to Jesus—a sign of the nations being drawn into Jesus.
How does the exodus theme figure into Matthew 2?
Look up the Old Testament reference in this passage. In what way is Jesus fulfilling Scripture?