John Calvin Commentary Genesis 44:1

"And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men`s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man`s money in his sack`s mouth." — Genesis 44:1 (ASV)

And he commanded the steward of his house. Here Moses relates how skillfully Joseph had planned to test the dispositions of his brothers. We have said elsewhere that, while God has commanded us to cultivate simplicity, we are not to take this and similar examples as giving permission to resort to indirect and cunning methods.

For it may have been that Joseph was impelled by a special influence of the Spirit to this course. He also had an extraordinary reason for investigating very strictly how his brothers were affected. Charity is not suspicious. Why, then, does he so distrust his brothers; and why can he not suppose that they have anything good, unless he first subjects them to the most rigid examination?

Truly, since he had found them to be exceedingly cruel and treacherous, his suspicion is excusable if he does not believe them to be changed for the better until he has obtained a thorough perception and conviction of their penitence. But since, in this respect, it is a rare and very difficult virtue to maintain a proper balance, we must be careful not to imitate Joseph's example in such a severe course of action, unless we have set aside all vengeful feelings and are pure and free from all enmity.

For love, when it is pure and free from all confusing influence, will best decide how far it is right to proceed. It may, however, be asked, “If the sons of Jacob had been easily induced to betray Benjamin's safety, what would Joseph himself have done?” We may readily conjecture that he examined their fidelity so that, if he found them dishonest, he might retain Benjamin and drive them with shame from his presence.

But, by pursuing this method, his father would have been deserted, and the Church of God ruined. And certainly, it is not without risk to himself that he thus terrifies them, because he could scarcely have avoided the necessity of denouncing some more grievous and severe punishment against them if they had relapsed again.

Therefore, it was due to God's special favor that they proved to be different from what he had feared. Meanwhile, the advantage of his examination was twofold: first, because the clearly ascertained integrity of his brothers made him more forgiving toward them; and secondly, because it lessened, at least to some degree, the former disgrace which they had incurred through their wickedness.