When You Don’t Know What Comes Next: The Tension Before Clarity
Imagine you’re running a small business, or dreaming up a new idea, or trying to make peace with your family after a big misunderstanding. You feel torn—maybe stuck between what you want and what you know. You’re not sure how things will turn out. The next step could change everything, but it also feels risky. Even if you’re not a business owner, everyone has faced a moment like this. You want something—respect, connection, breakthrough, or even just honesty—but you’re worried about going for it. You hope things can finally move forward.
This is the feeling at the center of Genesis 43. It’s the story of a family with secrets, hunger, and an uncertain future. And it’s the story of how anyone—no matter how hard the past has been—can begin to move forward again, by reconnecting with inner awareness, facing fears, and making choices that open up new possibilities.
Genesis 43: The Story on the Surface
Let’s look at a few key moments in this chapter, so you can see both what literally happens, and what it means for you right now.
“The famine was severe in the land. When they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, ‘Go again, buy us a little more food.’” (Genesis 43:1-2 WEB)
The family (Jacob and his sons) are running out of food during a tough time. They had already been to Egypt once to buy grain, and things ended strangely—now, facing empty cupboards and hungry mouths, they have to make a decision. But there’s a problem: the ruler of Egypt (Joseph—who is actually their brother, but they don’t know this yet), made a rule...
“Judah spoke to him, saying, ‘The man solemnly warned us, saying, “You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.”’” (Genesis 43:3 WEB)
That brother is Benjamin, the youngest. Last time they bought grain, Joseph said—bring your youngest the next time, or else. Jacob doesn’t want to lose Benjamin, but without food, the family can’t survive.
- They can’t go forward and they can’t stay stuck.
- They have to face the fear of losing someone precious to get what they need.
What’s really happening inside the family—and inside you?
Every part of this story is also about your inner world:
- Jacob is the part of you that worries, that wants to protect what’s left, that tries to hold things together after loss or regret.
- The brothers represent your different desires and doubts—some urgent, some hesitant, all wanting things to change, but in conflict about how it should be done.
- Egypt (and Joseph, unknown) is your new potential, the part of you that holds abundance—but only if you’re willing to let go of your tightest fears.
- Benjamin is your deep, innocent hope or longing—the part of you you’re most afraid to risk, but also the key to getting what you really need.
So the chapter sets up a simple but powerful truth: whenever you want something deeply, you will face an inner moment where you must risk something precious. This moment is your door to real change.
The Decision: Choosing to Move Forward (Even When It’s Scary)
Judah steps forward. Out of all the voices, he speaks up—he takes responsibility. He says to his father:
“Send the boy with me... for if we hadn’t delayed, surely we would have returned a second time by now.” (Genesis 43:8,10 WEB)
Judah promises to keep Benjamin safe. He says, “I’ll be surety for him.” (Genesis 43:9 WEB) This means: “I’ll put myself on the line. If anything happens, you can hold me responsible.”
This is the real turning point—inside and out.
- Awareness says: “It’s time. We can’t wait anymore. I’ll take the first step.”
- Judah, as a voice inside you, is the part that stops blaming, stops delaying, and chooses courage over fear.
- This is what it feels like: the moment you send that important email, or finally have a hard conversation, even knowing it could be tough.
- It’s the entrepreneur who invests in marketing, risking scarce money—because not risking means certain failure.
- It’s the parent who finally apologizes—or the friend who says, “Let’s try again.”
What are you putting off right now because it feels risky? If you wait, will anything actually change—or will you be in the same place a year from now?
Small Real-Life Choices, Big Shifts
Jacob finally gives in. He tells the brothers to take the very best they have left—a little balm, honey, spices, nuts—and bring these gifts to Egypt.
“Take double money in your hand... and take back the money that was returned... perhaps it was an oversight.” (Genesis 43:12 WEB)
He’s nervous, but he’s doing everything possible to show goodwill and make things right. He also gives Benjamin—his last hope—over to the journey.
- When you want breakthrough, you give what you still have. You do your best, even when it feels like “just a little left.”
- You correct mistakes honestly. You don’t try to hide where things went wrong.
- You finally send your “Benjamin”—your real hope—along for the ride.
The takeaway: Awareness grows only when you’re willing to step up, make choices, take a chance, and be real about what you hope for most—even if you feel exposed.
The Meeting: Facing the Unknown with Openness (and Some Fear)
The brothers arrive in Egypt. They’re nervous. They confess about the money, ready to return it, expecting to be punished or at least questioned.
He said, “Peace be to you. Don’t be afraid. Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks… I received your money.” (Genesis 43:23 WEB)
Instead of suspicion or anger, the steward welcomes them. He says all is well, and brings out Simeon (their brother held as security). A feast is prepared, and the brothers are treated with honor—except they don’t understand why.
This is what happens in real life when you finally risk what matters:
- The situation can turn out better than you feared. Your awareness expands. You see things were not what you imagined in your worst moments.
- The people or opportunities you were scared of may actually be ready to receive you, support you, even surprise you with kindness.
- You learn that making peace with the past—owning mistakes and showing up honestly—frees you for new beginnings.
Do you remember a time a hard conversation or risk turned out better than you expected? What changed afterwards—inside you?
The Feast: Reconnection and New Perspective
The brothers eat with Joseph (they still don’t know it’s him). Benjamin, the youngest, gets five times as much food. No one is angry—just amazed and confused. They’re being cared for in a place that once seemed threatening.
“They drank, and were merry with him.” (Genesis 43:34 WEB)
This is more than just a meal.
- It’s the feeling of homecoming after years of tension—when things are still uncertain, but you taste hope for the first time in ages.
- It’s when you realize you’re more welcome, more provided for, more supported than you thought.
- It’s what happens inside when you bravely follow your awareness—when you show up as you really are, with nothing to hide, you make space for joy and relief, even if everything isn’t fully resolved yet.
Life Principle: When you take the risk to align your everyday choices with your deepest, truest awareness—no matter how small or scary—you open the door to unexpected blessings and a new sense of belonging in your own life.
Pop Culture Example
Think of Tim Tebow—the Heisman Trophy winner and pro football player who was often doubted and criticized for his beliefs, playing style, and “unorthodox” ways. He didn’t give up or hide what mattered most to him. Even after setbacks, he kept showing up with courage, openness, and a willingness to risk. He wasn’t always understood, but eventually, he was celebrated, respected, and given new opportunities—on and off the field. Like the brothers in Genesis 43, sometimes you only discover support and hope when you lead with your real values and take risks, not when you play it safe.
What This Chapter Teaches: How Awareness Grows (Again and Again)
- You don’t have to know how everything will turn out to move forward.
- Breakthrough starts when you face your fears honestly and do the next best thing—risking what you hope for, not just what you can comfortably afford to lose.
- When you give what you still have, even if it feels small, you’re saying “yes” to possibility. You’re returning, letting go, and seeing what’s really possible for you.
- When you act from this deeper place, not only do you get what you need—you remember who you are, and build the inner strength for the next part of your journey.
Ask yourself: Is there something I want that I’m holding back from—because I’m worried it’s too risky? What would change if I made a choice from my truest awareness, not my old fear?
Simple Practice for Today: The Small Risk Challenge
- Pick one thing you’ve been putting off, that quietly matters to you.
- Name your fear honestly. What feels risky about moving forward?
- Now, just do a single action—like returning the “extra money” (fixing a past mistake), or reaching out to someone you miss, or sending your “Benjamin” (that new hope or offer, even if it feels vulnerable).
- Notice what new awareness or relief comes once you step in.
You don’t need to solve everything today. But when you take one honest risk, even a small one, life often surprises you with more support than you thought you had.
Coming Up: Genesis 44
Next, things get even more complicated for Joseph’s family. Secrets will come to the surface. The story will show what happens when your old fears are finally exposed—and how, even then, new freedoms are possible.
For now, remember: whenever you move forward from awareness—no matter the risks, no matter how tangled the story—life opens up in ways you can’t predict. You get what you need, so you can discover what you truly want.
