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There are several tests going on in Genesis 43.
Jacob’s faith is being tested. Will he trust God and allow his son Benjamin (the only other son of Rachel) to cross over to Egypt with the rest of this brothers?
Joseph’s emotions and integrity are being tested. There is no doubt he is struggling. He doesn’t want to reveal himself to his brothers quite yet. Have they changed, or are they the same? Will they reject him like they did when he was younger or accept him and admit their sin? Can Joseph bring himself to actually forgive them?
And finally, we have the brothers. They are being tested by Joseph. Why do you think Joseph gave Benjamin preferential treatment?
And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth. And the men looked at one another in amazement. 34 Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him.
Genesis 43:33-34 ESV
Joseph gives Benjamin (the perceived youngest brother) five times as much food and drink as the rest of his brothers. He intentionally set the scene this way in order to see if his brothers still had envy and jealousy in their bones. Would they retaliate against Benjamin for his portions like they retaliated against Joseph for his coat?
We will have to wait until the next chapter for that answer!