Genesis 43:23

‘And 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 had your money.” And he brought Simeon out to them.'

The reply suggests that the steward has been well coached by Joseph. He has been told exactly what to say when the obvious questions come up.

“Peace be to you.” ‘Shalom' - a standard greeting put in Hebrew form, possibly by the interpreter, although it may be that Joseph's steward was familiar with their language and thought forms, being chosen by Joseph for that very reason.

“Your God and the God of your father.” Let them be assured that it is their God Who has provided for them. ‘The God of your father' was also the way in which Laban described Jacob's God (31:29). It is a way of being courteous when details of Who the God is are not well known. Let them be assured that their own tribal God is looking after them.

“Has given you treasure.” He is suggesting that he does not know what was exactly involved in the ‘treasure' they found. It was not the silver they had paid over, for he had received that.

“And he brought Simeon out.” The steward had Simeon waiting to greet his brothers just inside the gate, and he is brought out to welcome the brothers. What relief must have flooded their souls when they saw him alive and well. Things were definitely beginning to look up.