“When Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?” (Yikes! Is it possible the paranoia tied to their sin of many years ago afflicts them here now as they remember that the merchants to whom they sold their little brother were making their way to Egypt; hence this knowing, anxious look amongst them that Jacob spots here?) And he said, “Indeed I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to that place (do we detect a trace of xenophobic disdain and judgment here? it seems Jacob too requires some humbling that will come to pass as the events unfold)  and buy for us there, that we may live and not die.” (Truly truly we once again recognise here that had it not been a matter of life and death, the unfolding of God’s Sovereign plan would not have taken place as He had ordained it, for Jacob surely would not have set foot in Egypt otherwise, for starters. Once again I cannot help but marvel at the lengths that God will go to to sanctify, teach and heal a single one of His beloved Children – as seen most pressingly also in the life of the prophet Jonah – for even it seems a severe global famine can be arranged if need be 😜.) So Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “Lest some calamity befall him.” (Recognise the far-reaching consequences of the actions of Joseph’s brothers’ sin even these many years later, as we observe in Jacob the self-preservational, fearful, doubting apprehension of a man who has ceased from Trusting God in a certain area of his life. It is so important to understand that when we sin against someone it often affects their relationship with- and Faith in- God Himself and is therefore not a matter to esteem lightly.) And the sons of Israel (another interesting thing worth noting here is that in his capacity as a mere man – giving practical instructions in the natural, yielding to fear and doubting God as men do – Jacob is referred to by his old name; yet, when prophetic, forward-looking, generation-affecting, Chosen-People-of-God, Promised Land matters are at play he is called by His New Name: Israel) went to buy grain among those who journeyed, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.” (Recognise the symbolism inherent in that famine will encroach upon even the Promised Land until God is satisfied that justice has been done; healing and restoration secured. Our God stops at nothing for Love of His Children 😢.)

“¹When Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?” ²And he said, “Indeed I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to that place and buy for us there, that we may live and not die.”

³So Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. ⁴But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “Lest some calamity befall him.” ⁵And the sons of Israel went to buy grain among those who journeyed, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.”

– Genesis 42:1-5 (NKJV)