Jim Gallagher

Genesis 43:10

“For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.”

We have no way of knowing how long Simeon remained incarcerated in Egypt, while his brothers attempted to convince Jacob to send them back. The assumption is, quite some time passed, since it would have been foolish to make the lengthy and dangerous journey to Egypt and not purchase enough food to last a long time. However long it may have been, time ran out when the food ran out. Jacob’s hand was forced as they looked at the reality of facing another season without rain and without food. The words of Judah to his father are quite revealing, “If we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.” Had the difficult decision been made earlier, the trip would have been a memory, and the family would…