Jacob hesitates to send Benjamin, fearing another potential loss, but Reuben offers his own sons as collateral. Benjamin is Jacob’s youngest son, born to Rachel, whom Jacob loved more than his other wives. Jacob believes Joseph, Rachel’s other son, has died. Jacob’s affection for Benjamin surpasses that for his other sons. Despite Simeon’s imprisonment, Jacob is reluctant to allow Benjamin to travel to Egypt.

It reads in Genesis 42: 35-38 Easy: The brothers started to take the food out of their bags. And in their bags, they found each man’s money! When the brothers and their father saw the money, they were frightened. Their father Jacob said to them, ‘You are taking my children away from me! Joseph is not here any more. Simeon also is not here. Now you want to take Benjamin away from me. Everything that happens is hurting me!’ Then Reuben said to his father, Jacob, ‘I will bring Benjamin back to you. If I do not, then you can kill both of my sons. Trust me to take care of him. I will bring him back.’ But Jacob said, ‘My son will not go with you. His brother is already dead. Benjamin is the only one left. Something bad may happen to him on your journey. I am already an old man. If I lose Benjamin, I would be so sad that I would die.’

Faithful Father God, You see the trembling heart of Jacob, a father who has already lost so much, now faced with the fear of losing again. You know the weight of sorrow that bends the back and the ache of love that clings to what is left as in a bleeding heart. When we, too, feel like everything is slipping away, when the Simeons are held captive and the Benjamins are asked for, teach us to trust You with what we cannot hold. You are the Keeper of our sons and daughters, the Guardian of our journeys, the One who weeps with us and walks beside us. Give us Your strength and courage to release what we love into Your care, not because we are strong, but because You are good. When our hearts cry, “Everything is against me,” remind us that even in the famine, even in the silence, You are already working redemption. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious name Amen and Amen.