“So they set him a place by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves; because the Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. (We cannot be entirely certain at this point whether Joseph’s own Jewish heritage is a known fact in the Egyptian palace or is veiled as was Queen Esther’s in the Persian palace: a concession allowed for, at least temporarily, according to the Will of God for the sake of pragmatic wisdom. It seems that the latter is more likely for it appears that Joseph habitually ate with his Egyptian men as is alluded to here. It certainly also seems that an exception is made this day for Joseph to eat alone: possibly by order of Joseph himself for the simple fact that he requires a greater measure of privacy should he be overcome by emotion in repeated waves, as can surely be anticipated under the circumstances. As we have encountered upon several occasions in the Scriptures thus far [also think back to Potiphar’s wife’s reaction and the hatred she attempted to stir up in the Egyptian servants at the time], a deep-seated anti-semitism has already taken root amongst the non-Hebraic peoples of the world and has been propagated and incentivised by enemy spiritual forces ever since, as is evidenced here within the striking phrase: “the Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians” .) And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth; (it is also entirely possible that they were but separated within different areas of the same dining area, even around the same table, but in full view of one another as is suggested by such phrases as “they sat before him” ; it is furthermore interesting to behold that the Hebrew custom awarding automatic greater honour to the firstborn – despite this being a particularly contentious issue in this particular family, not least of all because of their father’s dealings with his own officially older brother Esau, but also because of the uncharacteristically great favour that rested upon Joseph, the last born – is upheld here, and has most probably been insisted upon by Joseph himself; ironically enough he soon succumbs to the same behavioural patterns he was brought up with: namely to unapologetically favour the preferred child – again the very last born – in matters considered more arbitrary such as the quantity and quality of meals, even if he does strive to uphold the custom in more official capacities such as those pertaining to seating arrangements *) and the men looked in astonishment at one another. (I adore phrases such as these within the Scriptures, so wholly free of any objective allusion to source or origin, so as to invite the reader to project the explanation for the phenomenon at hand entirely from his own heart, therein effectively allowing himself to be “read by” The Word as opposed to simply “reading” The Word. My own understanding of the reason for their astonishment in the face of each other would be a.) as it concerns our Joseph: despite the extensive degree of Wisdom he acquired through his intimate union with the Lord in lived experience [being humbled, being honoured, taking orders, delegating, utter abject loneliness, rich family life, being a husband, being a father, a slave, a servant, a ruler, through times of being utterly hated and deeply loved] – together with all the insight and understanding awarded him by the clarity and perspective of knowing the true identity of all assembled there – I still think the minute-by-minute lived reality of these gripping moments: of being in the very presence of one of the most deeply longed for and closest members of kin [read: Benjamin], together with one’s other kin, the very instigators and perpetrators of much persecution and suffering against one [read: The Brothers], should cause one nothing short of utter dumbfounded astonishment. b.) On the part of said objectively guilty brothers: I do believe their astonishment stems at least in part from their utter disbelief at the great and perplexing favour being awarded them in these moments: such utterly human, even a little base, sentiments such as “how did we get to be so lucky?” and “what is the catch?” springs to mind 😋. And finally, c.) concerning young Benjamin: significantly younger than all the brothers he had ever known, not a part of the grave secret they share, having grown up without knowing one’s own mother, having most probably been exceedingly sheltered by one’s father for obvious reasons, having consequently rarely, if ever, set foot outside the family compound and with little experiential wisdom, I can only imagine that young Benjamin is approaching this brave, new, foreign world, the perplexing characters in it and its little understood lavish gifts and favour, with the astonished wide-eyed-wonder, innocent presumption and moment-to-moment face value that only the very young, undefiled by cynicism, can enjoy ☺.) Then he took servings to them from before him, (again let us not neglect to recognise the precious Christlike symbolism of one “feeding the flock”, the one from whose bosom “the bread of life” flows) but Benjamin’s serving was five times as much as any of theirs (see previous note; the significance of the number 5 – abounding Grace – notwithstanding). So they drank and were merry with him.” (Not only is the significance of “the bread and the wine” confirmed within this simple phrase – again John 6 refers – , but one also cannot help but feel grateful on behalf of the brothers for this opportunity for levity and merriment [Psalm 104:15] : to move from dumbstruck astonishment [verse 33] into the more easily navigate-able waters of alcohol-fuelled sociability and gaiety that the occasion permits; an opportunity perhaps also to view each other in a less formidable light and to get to know each other in a more uninhibited and consequently perhaps more sincere state of being,  for – the lures of the flesh set aside [Romans 6:12] – this would be a good opportunity to recognise who each individual has become in as little or as great a measure as each in his allotment of wisdom allows himself to lay bare. Nevertheless, in full recognition and praise of the gift of freedom that is Romans 14:17 [and you would do well to consider the chapter in its entirety Beloved Reader], herewith a prudent word of caution perhaps, lest I be misrepresented: we can conservatively assume that to at least one of the brothers alcohol may be a veritable snare [Hebrews 12:1] and we do well to consider the warnings Scripture puts forth, first in Proverbs 23:29-35, but ultimately – as it then becomes a sin that leads to death – in Isaiah 5:22-23.)

* One cannot help but marvel at the sheer Wisdom of the New Covenant that so completely turns all customs, laws and traditions on its head: knowing how dynamic, fluid and arbitrary all human attempts at pinpointing what is inherently worthy of glory and honour are and then attempting to enforce it, hence: Luke 14:10. Even Solomon under the Old Covenant in his Wisdom quickly recognised the fallibility of such customs, hence Proverbs 27:2.)