In Genesis 42, we find Jacob and his family facing a severe famine. Jacob sends his ten sons (excluding Benjamin, his youngest) to Egypt to buy grain. However, he keeps Benjamin at home, fearing harm might befall him as it did with Joseph, whom he believes to be bereaved and dead in the grave. The famine was difficult to come by, selling all kinds of delicious food for people to eat.
Upon arriving in Egypt, Joseph, who is now a high-ranking official, recognizes his brothers, but they do not recognize him back. Joseph mocks them of being spies and insists they can send Benjamin, Joseph’s older brother, to prove their honesty and self-worth. To test their sincerity, Joseph keeps Simeon in custody and sends the remaining brothers back to Canaan with grain. He secretly returns their money in their sacks, adding anxiety and fear looming over them. When the brothers reach home, they discover the returned money that wasn’t there and became distressed with trembling.
Jacob is reluctant to send Benjamin to Egypt, but as the famine persists, he eventually agrees to let him go along with the brothers to buy more grain. The chapter ends with the brothers returning to Egypt, including Benjamin, to buy food and secure Simeon's release. Each bag of money was in their sacks, but Reuben suggested that Benjamin must send Reuben’s two sons to death if he doesn’t bring them back to him. And if the little fatal accident on the way with his journey shall befall him, then Reuben would certainly bring down to the grave his little gray hairs, filled with mourning sadness.
This chapter sets the stage for a dramatic reunion between Joseph and his brothers in subsequent chapters. It also highlights the themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and God's providence in the midst of difficult circumstances.