Each time Jacob"s sons had left home they returned with more money but minus a brother (chs37 , 42). [1] Did Jacob think they had sold Simeon?[source]
"Joseph"s brothers soften the news considerably, making it sound like Simeon was a guest of Joseph ... instead of being bound in prison. They do not mention the threat of death and do not at this time speak of the money in the one sack." [2][source]
The money in the sack widened the breach between Jacob and his sons but drew the brothers closer together. Jacob despaired because he distrusted his sons and the Egyptian ruler, and he had forgotten the promises of God ( Genesis 42:36). He therefore concluded that, "All these things are against me." In reality God was causing all those things to work together for good for Jacob (cf. Romans 8:28). He would soon realize God"s blessing. [source][source][source]
"A great portion of our present trouble arises from our not knowing the whole truth." [3][source]
Reuben"s offer of his two sons was pathetically weak ( Genesis 42:37). He claimed willingness to suffer in Jacob"s place, but would he really put his own sons before his brother? And how would killing Jacob"s grandsons console Jacob? It is no wonder that Jacob declined Reuben"s offer ( Genesis 42:38). [source][source][source]
Throughout this chapter we can observe the attitude of Joseph"s brothers changing. Faced with a personal crisis they acknowledged their guilt. They regarded their suffering as righteous divine punishment, and they began to place Jacob"s interests above their own. However their repentance was not yet complete. The process of contrition had to run further before reconciliation was possible. [4][source]
"The motives and actions of Joseph and his family members are not patterns to be copied or avoided. The author"s goal is to show that God"s designs for Israel"s fathers are working toward the end of redeeming the household of faith." [5][source]
When believers have unresolved guilt in their hearts, God often convicts their consciences to discover if they are spiritually sensitive enough to participate in His program. [source][source][source]