Genesis 43:16-34
How hard it is for Joseph’s brothers to put their own resources on one side! However, they must accept the fact that their debt has been paid. We can be sure that Joseph’s steward’s accounts were in order since he says to them, "I had your money" (v. 23). The great Joseph had personally paid for his brothers. In the same way Christ has borne the whole cost of our peace. Our debt has been paid in full and only He knows the significance of this. Nevertheless, as long as evil is not judged and confessed, we cannot taste the joy of communion. A meal taken together is a picture of this communion, which implies a perfect understanding, a conversation shared in by all the participants. Is it not so at the Lord’s Table where believers, all together, think of His sufferings? But here, because of the sin which raises a barrier between them, Joseph eats on his own and his brothers also eat by themselves (v. 32).
When you read these chapters, notice how many times Joseph weeps: (Genesis 42:24; Genesis 43:30; Genesis 45:2; ; Genesis 45:14; Genesis 46:29; Genesis 50:1; ; Genesis 50:17). It is a wonderful thing that he does not weep in the pit nor in the prison. These are tears of love. They make us think of the tears of the Lord Jesus (John 11:35; Luke 19:41).