Genesis 43

Notice in this chapter that there was a certain order of their meals. Joseph did not sit with the Egyptians, and he did not sit with his brothers. He had set them in their birth order and his brother Benjamin- who was his full-brother, got a greater share of food then the rest.

Meals in the Bible were important. To share a meal together was a sign of connection and care. There were restrictions between Jews and Egyptians eating together. Later on, we see that the Jews would choose not to eat with Gentiles. Part of what made Jesus' ministry so unique is that he would eat with people that were considered unworthy to share a meal with a holy person, people not normally invited to the table. Jesus' didn't use meals to exclude people, but rather he used them to show that he was doing something new and cared about the sinners and tax collectors.

Even today a meal can have a significant impact in our relationships with people. Let me encourage you to invite someone to a meal at your house that God would like you to get to know better. Maybe it is someone new that you recently met at church. Maybe it is a neighbor or co-worker that you would like to get to know. Meals in Scripture played a significant role in Jesus' ministry. I think they can still make an impact in our relationships today. Maybe you don't cook, even an invitation out to eat can be a great way to develop a relationship with someone.