BACKGROUND: Genesis 43 is the account of the 2nd trip down to Egypt by Joseph's brothers in order to buy grain because the famine was still severe and the grain they had brought back from their first trip was already exhausted. This time, Benjamin joined them since Joseph had commanded them to bring their "younger brother" with them the next trip, otherwise they would not be able to buy any grain. As he did during their first trip, Joseph served his brothers a huge feast and when they left to return to Canaan, Joseph again returned their money by putting them back in each brother's sack. The brothers are telling Joseph's steward that they found their money in their sacks and have no idea how it got there! Verse 23 is the steward's response to them, a response that indicates he knew the God of the Hebrews and he was encouraging the brothers that their God was the One who placed the money in their sacks.
COMMENTARY FROM MATTHEW HENRY (blueletterbible.org): The steward encouraged them (v. 23): Peace be to you, fear not; though he knew not what his master drove at, yet he was aware these were men whom he meant no harm to, while he thus amused them; and therefore he directs them to look at the divine Providence in the return of their money: Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks. Observe, (1.) Hereby he shows that he had no suspicion at all of dishonesty in them: for of what we get by deceit we cannot say, "God gives it to us.' (2.) Hereby he silences their further enquiry about it. "Ask not how it came thither; Providence brought it to you, and let that satisfy you.' (3.) It appears by what he said that, by his good master's instructions, he was brought to the knowledge of the true God, the God of the Hebrews. It may justly be expected that those who are servants in religious families should take all fit occasions to speak of God and his providence with reverence and seriousness. (4.) He directs them to look up to God, and acknowledge his providence in the good bargain they had. We must own ourselves indebted to God, as our God and the God of our fathers (a God in covenant with us and them) for all our successes and advantages, and the kindnesses of our friends; for every creature is that to us, and no more, which God makes it to be. The steward encouraged them, not only in words but in deeds; for he made very much of them till his master came, v. 24.
PERSONAL APPLICATION: What's interesting in this story is the steward's response to Joseph's brothers. It is evident that he knew the One True God, the God of the Hebrews, and the only reason he would have been aware of God is through Joseph himself. Despite being the 2nd highest authority in Egypt, Joseph continued to show and share his faith in his God. This is an example we should follow; we will never know who will come to know the Lord through our lives, so we need to be living a life that pleases and honors God at all times.
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