Careful Approach

Careful Approach

Genesis 44: ¹⁸ Then Judah came near to him and said: “O my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even like Pharaoh. ¹⁹ My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother?’ ²⁰ And we said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, who is young; his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him.’ ²¹ Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.’ ²² And we said to my lord, ‘The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’ ²³ But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more.’

 

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Reluctantly, Israel allowed Benjamin to go to Egypt with his brothers to fulfil the terms of Joseph. Judah said he would be responsible for Benjamin and would return with him. But Joseph had his silver cup hidden in Benjamin’s sack. Judah had to respond to the difficult situation.

 

My Observations:

• Judah recognized Joseph’s position and acknowledged his role.
• Judah chose his words carefully when recapping Joseph’s request of them to bring Benjamin to Egypt.
• Judah mentioned that he and his brothers are servants so Joseph would not get placed on guard.

 

Tense situations need a careful approach that may include humbling yourself. Judah saw a situation that could not be won by blaming Joseph or by not admitting to what happened. Even though the situation was manufactured, Judah recapped the situation in a way that would possibly help Joseph hear his plea.

 

Judah was humble, thoughtful and very cautious with his words. This was a dire situation that required him to grow tremendously. He had to speak up for his brother and show respect to Joseph. GOD saw this exchange of words and was changing everyone.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about Judah’s careful approach?
• What things are you trying to get that you are possibly blaming others versus adjusting your approach?
• Are there some ways to your approach that could use some humble adjustments that need courage from GOD?

Singled Out

Singled Out

Genesis 44: ¹⁴ So Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, and he was still there; and they fell before him on the ground. ¹⁵ And Joseph said to them, “What deed is this you have done? Did you not know that such a man as I can certainly practice divination?”

 

¹⁶ Then Judah said, “What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how shall we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants; here we are, my lord’s slaves, both we and he also with whom the cup was found.”

 

¹⁷ But he said, “Far be it from me that I should do so; the man in whose hand the cup was found, he shall be my slave. And as for you, go up in peace to your father.”

 

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Their worse fear had come true. Before the journey began, Judah assured Israel that nothing would happen to Benjamin. Now all eleven brothers were in front of Joseph again, this time with serious accusations. Judah volunteered all of them to become slaves of Joseph. But Joseph singled out Benjamin.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph knew how precious he and Benjamin were to Israel.
• Joseph took the special thing from his brothers, namely Benjamin.
• Joseph had no intention of making Benjamin a slave.

 

Adversity shows the real character of a person in his or her reaction to the situation. Judah responded well because he had no explanation for the situation. All he could do was surrender. Same with you and me. We may fight to stay the same, yet we need to surrender to GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the conversation between Judah and Joseph?
• Have you ever gone through something and wondered “Why me?”
• Are you prepared for GOD to grow you and can you see the current situation is part of HIS growth plan?

Necessary U-Turn

Necessary U-Turn

Genesis 44: ⁶ So he overtook them, and he spoke to them these same words. ⁷ And they said to him, “Why does my lord say these words? Far be it from us that your servants should do such a thing. ⁸ Look, we brought back to you from the land of Canaan the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? ⁹ With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.”

 

¹⁰ And he said, “Now also let it be according to your words; he with whom it is found shall be my slave, and you shall be blameless.” ¹¹ Then each man speedily let down his sack to the ground, and each opened his sack. ¹² So he searched. He began with the oldest and left off with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. ¹³ Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city.

 

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Following Joseph’s command, the steward of the house chased after Joseph’s brothers and said the exact words Joseph told him to say. The brothers were innocent, but did not know they had been set up. They now had Simeon and Benjamin and had just celebrated with a feast with Joseph. But they were being told to return to Egypt for possible enslavement.

 

My Observations:

• Just when the brothers thought everything was good, they had to face another problem.
• The brothers did not know they were being set up.
• Joseph’s plan to make the brothers feel uncomfortable was working, but he was protecting them versus harming them as they thought.

 

Whenever something goes “wrong” we yell at GOD and say “Come on!” Joseph’s brothers could not figure out how money and Joseph’s cup were in their sacks. All they could do was load the donkeys and ride back to Egypt.

 

Doom wiped away any delight they had. Simeon probably feared the worst. He had spent months in prison and now as facing charges of stealing from the governor of Egypt. But little did they know that GOD was orchestrating a plan for their comfort. This U-Turn was important.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the actions of the steward of the house?
• Have you ever been in an unfavorable position and thought GOD had left you?
• Are you willing to remember GOD’s promise that HE will never leave you or forsake you?

Pain Demonstration

Pain Demonstration

Genesis 44: And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack. ² Also put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain money.” So he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. ³ As soon as the morning dawned, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys. ⁴ When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, “Get up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? ⁵ Is not this the one from which my lord drinks, and with which he indeed practices divination? You have done evil in so doing.’ ”

 

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After the feast, Joseph had the steward of the house fill his brothers’ sacks with food and money again, just like last time. But this time he gave special instructions to add his silver cup to Benjamin’s sack. Joseph also staged a pretense with the steward of the house.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph had a plan to set up his brothers by making them look like thieves.
• Joseph may have wanted them to see how it felt to be in danger, or possibly killed.
• Joseph had no intention of harming his brothers, but may have wanted to let them know that what they did was not right.

 

Vengeance would have been easy for Joseph. He could have had them all thrown in prison for the rest of his life, but that is not what GOD wanted. Even through Joseph’s pain, he had GOD guiding him. He was working through this deep hurt, so he set his brothers up.

 

What would you do? I would probably do the same. Joseph missed out on being with his father for decades, due to their jealousy. His plan to make them feel embarrassed could not erase the cruelty they placed on him. Joseph also made it look like his power for seeing the future came from a cup. This would have been typical for an Egyptian as they worshipped inanimate objects.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Joseph’s plan to embarrass his brothers?
• Have you ever been put in a spot where you could get revenge?
• Will you let go of getting revenge and allow GOD to take care of the situation HIS way and in HIS time?

Seating Arrangements

Seating Arrangements

Genesis 43: ³² So they set him a place by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves; because the Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. ³³ And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked in astonishment at one another. ³⁴ Then he took servings to them from before him, but Benjamin’s serving was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him.

 

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Even though Joseph was appointed governor of al of Egypt, he was still an outsider according to the Egyptians. They set a place for him to eat by himself and they made a spot for themselves. They set Joseph’s brothers in another place and arranged them from oldest to youngest.

 

My Observations:

• Egyptians revered themselves as smarter, stronger and more supreme than any other race.
• Most Hebrews were people who follow GOD and were probably viewed as strange, but dangerous.
• Joseph must have informed the Egyptians about his brothers ages and had them seated accordingly.

 

This seating arrangement spoke volumes about the relationship between Egyptians and the Hebrews. Eating was a special time that could not be shared with Hebrews, according to Egyptian culture. More than likely, a person who interacted too much with Hebrews, would be shunned and lose their place in society.

 

But Joseph was a strange anomaly. He was a slave who was placed over all of Egypt. They had to accept his commands, according to Pharaoh who was seen as a god. They obeyed Joseph and seated his brothers according to their age. He also gave Benjamin five times as much as any of theirs. The brothers celebrated with Benjamin.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the Egyptian seating arrangements?
• Have you ever been made to feel less than everyone else?
• Do you believe you are a child of GOD and you are not “less than” but made wonderfully?

Getting It Back Together

Getting It Back Together

Genesis 43: ²⁹ Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” ³⁰ Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there. ³¹ Then he washed his face and came out; and he restrained himself, and said, “Serve the bread.”

 

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Joseph was seventeen years old when GOD gave him the dreams. He was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, put in charge of a house, falsely accused of rape, put in prison, taken out of prison to interpret Pharaohs’ dreams and placed over all of Egypt. Seven years of plenty happened and now the world was in the middle of seven years of famine. Joseph was now right around forty years old. He had not seen his brother in decades.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph was filled with extreme emotions by seeing Benjamin.
• Joseph may have given up on ever seeing Benjamin or his father again.
• Joseph could not contain his emotions and had to leave the dinner to cry, then get himself together to be the strong leader the Egyptians expected.

 

Being sold into slavery did not make Joseph cry. Nor did being thrown into prison, or being left in prison. He cried when he saw his brother alive and was overcome with joy. He could not show the Egyptians his deep love he had for his brother.

 

Joseph went into his chamber and had a good cry. He then washed his face and got himself together enough to command “Serve the bread.” Everyone had to wait for him to return before a bite was eaten.  GOD brought joy back into Joseph’s life.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Joseph’s reaction to seeing Benjamin?
• Have you ever been so filled with joy that you just cried?
• Can you believe that GOD enjoys giving you joy and has plenty for you today?

Presents

Presents

Genesis 43: ²⁴ So the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys feed. ²⁵ Then they made the present ready for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they would eat bread there.

 

²⁶ And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the earth. ²⁷ Then he asked them about their well-being, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?”

 

²⁸ And they answered, “Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads down and prostrated themselves.

 

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Israel had prepared his sons by sending gifts for Joseph. They had no idea they would end up at a feast in Joseph’s house. The steward of Joseph’s house “gave” them water to wash their feet. He also “gave” the donkeys feed. When Joseph arrived, his brothers “brought him the present.”

 

My Observations:

• Even the animals got something during this reunion.
• Joseph’s brothers received clean feet and knew food was coming.
• Joseph received a present from Israel and his brothers as they bowed down to him.

 

Just as GOD told Joseph in the dream, Joseph’s brothers bowed down to him. This was not the desire of Joseph, rather a statement of fact. Joseph did not need their gift, but the present was sent by Israel to create good relations between his family and the Egyptians.

 

This time Joseph asked questions about his father. The brothers answered saying “Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.” More than likely these words were considered the best present Joseph could get.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about all the giving that happened in Joseph’s house?
• Has fear taken away your generosity?
• If you don’t have money to give, what else can you give someone to show generosity?

Unexpected Peace

Unexpected Peace

Genesis 43: ¹⁹ When they drew near to the steward of Joseph’s house, they talked with him at the door of the house, ²⁰ and said, “O sir, we indeed came down the first time to buy food; ²¹ but it happened, when we came to the encampment, that we opened our sacks, and there, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight; so we have brought it back in our hand. ²² And we have brought down other money in our hands to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.”

 

²³ But he said, “Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.

 

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Nervously, the brothers of Joseph explained to the steward of the house that their money had been placed in their sacks. The steward of the house said “Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.”

 

My Observations:

• Joseph must have told the steward of the house about GOD and may have revealed that he believes in the one and only GOD.
• The steward of the house recognized that Joseph’s brothers were blessed through Joseph’s belief in GOD.
• The steward of the house comforted Joseph’s brothers by saying “Your GOD and the GOD of your father has given you treasure in your sacks.”

 

Referencing GOD as the one who put the treasure in the sacks could be seen as strange, especially as spoken by an Egyptian. The steward of the house was not calling himself GOD, yet he knew he placed the money into the sack. He was speaking of something greater than his action, namely the moving of the SPIRIT of GOD.

 

Joseph’s brothers did not deserve favor. They finally told the truth and were willing to face the consequences. But little did they know that GOD was blessing them through Joseph. They expected jail or even death, BUT GOD gave them peace for the moment.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about what the steward of the house told Joseph’s brothers?
• Have you ever expected the worst and was given the best?
• Do you know GOD can’t wait to bless you but HE has a specific time for it?

Erased Guilt

Erased Guilt

Genesis 43: ¹⁵ So the men took that present and Benjamin, and they took double money in their hand, and arose and went down to Egypt; and they stood before Joseph. ¹⁶ When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my home, and slaughter an animal and make ready; for these men will dine with me at noon.” ¹⁷ Then the man did as Joseph ordered, and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.

 

¹⁸ Now the men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money, which was returned in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may make a case against us and seize us, to take us as slaves with our donkeys.”

 

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Joseph’s brothers did as Israel told them to do. They took Benjamin and the presents and the extra money to Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with his brothers, he ordered the “steward of the house” to take them to his home and make a feast.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph may have suspected that his brothers would have killed Benjamin, so he needed to see him alive.
• Joseph started off as a steward of Potiphar’s house and now he had a steward waiting on him.
• Joseph’s brothers felt guilty, but little did they know, their guilt was erased.

 

Thinking about the mistakes they made over the years led them to a conclusion that they were about to be sentenced. It wasn’t just about the money, rather it was their guilty lives. Up to this point, they tried to kill Joseph, then sold him into slavery and covered up what they had done. Then when Simeon was put in prison, they told Israel a half-truth.

 

Now the brothers were being invited to a feast and they could not see this as a blessing. They thought the worst by saying they would be taken as slaves, possibly like they did to Joseph. They had no idea their guilt had been erased.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the reaction of Joseph’s brothers when they were invited to a feast?
• Have you ever felt guilty and had your mind made up that you are about to be punished?
• Do you realize that JESUS was tempted in every way you have so HE is sympathetic to the way you feel and loves you dearly?

Reluctant Acceptance

Reluctant Acceptance

Genesis 43: ¹¹ And their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. ¹² Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight. ¹³ Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man. ¹⁴ And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!”

 

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Seeing there were no other options, Israel reluctantly accepted the fact that Benjamin had to be sent to Egypt. He told his sons to take the money that was returned to them and give it to the Egyptians. He also said give them special items from the land.

 

My Observations:

• Israel finally accepted that the famine was still there and he had to do something.
• Israel did not mention Simeon’s name, but he did mention Benjamin, which shows he and Simeon still had strife between them over Dinah’s assault.
• Israel seemed to brace himself to also lose Benjamin by saying “If I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”

 

It seems like Israel reluctantly accepted the fact that nothing was going well and he was about to lose the son from the woman he loved. Rachel, his wife, was barren for so many years that it seemed like she would never have children. But when she had Joseph, then Benjamin, everything seemed alright with Israel. But now Rachel was dead and so was Joseph, or so he thought. He could not see what GOD was doing.

 

Israel figured he would try to make the situation better by sending items that were locally grown and were appealing. He may have hoped that he could keep Benjamin alive by sending extra stuff. We do this too. We try to control the situation that GOD has ordained. Israel had seen enough sorrow. GOD saw everything and was planning something huge that Israel did not expect.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Israel’s response to his son’s request to take Benjamin to Egypt?
• Have you ever settled in your mind that you have to be miserable?
• Can you not settle for a miserable outcome and ask GOD to renew your faith in HIS power to make you thrive?

Something Had to be Done

Something Had to be Done

Genesis 43: ⁶ And Israel said, “Why did you deal so wrongfully with me as to tell the man whether you had still another brother?”

 

⁷ But they said, “The man asked us pointedly about ourselves and our family, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ And we told him according to these words. Could we possibly have known that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?”

 

⁸ Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. ⁹ I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. ¹⁰ For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.”

 

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When “Israel” questioned his sons about the situation they were in, the sons immediately tried to cover up what they actually said. They blamed Joseph, saying he asked questions versus telling the truth that they voluntarily spoke about Benjamin. Instead of going back and forth as to why they were in the situation, Judah spoke up.

 

My Observations:

• Israel’s sons were still trying to protect themselves.
• Israel was being resistant and waited until all the food had run out.
• Judah said in so many words “We have to do something.”

 

Shame and blame were the tactics of the sons of Israel. They seemed to be ashamed they opened their mouths about Benjamin and blamed Joseph for his reaction. Little did they know that it was Joseph who they were speaking to, so they would still be in thins situation.

 

Earlier, Reuben pledged that Jacob could kill two of his sons if Benjamin were not returned. Jacob, otherwise known as Israel, did not accept this plan. But Judah came up with another way to convince Israel. “If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever” was his promise. He would become the walking shame if Benjamin died.  He gave some logic. “We could have been back by now.”

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about this distressful conversation between Israel and his sons?
• Have you ever wanted to avoid getting blamed for something you did or blame someone else for something you should own up to?
• Is it time to face the situation, knowing GOD is with you, so you can be brave and tell the truth?

A Lie of Protection

A Lie of Protection

Genesis 43: Now the famine was severe in the land. ² And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, “Go back, buy us a little food.”

³ But Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ ⁴ If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. ⁵ But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ ”

 

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Somewhere in the middle of the seven years of famine, Jacob and his family ate up all the food that was purchased from Egypt. Jacob said “Go back and buy us a little food.” But Judah spoke up and told Jacob that they could not return to Egypt without Benjamin. But he did not tell him they could be killed.

 

My Observations:

• GOD said the famine would happen for seven years and it was difficult for everyone.
• Jacob was getting humble in his request by asking to buy a “little” food.
• Judah stretched the truth again, possibly wanting to protect Jacob from the truth that they could all be killed, according to what Joseph really said.

 

Talk about being in a bad situation! The brothers knew they needed to bring Benjamin back, but they also knew that if they told Jacob the truth, he would not let them take Benjamin. They needed to eat, so they stretched the truth.

 

They had to convince Jacob that everything would be alright with Benjamin if he traveled to Egypt. By now, Simeon had been in prison for months. Nine brothers had to carry enough food to feed all of the family, servants, herders and animals. If they came with too many people, it would look like they were trying to raid Egypt. Judah lied to protect Jacob from worry. He did not know if he would be killed or not.

 

Challenge’

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the conversation between Jacob and Judah?
• Have you ever felt you needed to stretch the truth to protect someone else’s feelings?
• Can you ask GOD for courage to practice telling the whole truth, no matter how difficult it can be?

Not Buying It

Not Buying It

Genesis 42: ³⁵ Then it happened as they emptied their sacks, that surprisingly each man’s bundle of money was in his sack; and when they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid. ³⁶ And Jacob their father said to them, “You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me.”

 

³⁷ Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying, “Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you; put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.”

 

³⁸ But he said, “My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is left alone. If any calamity should befall him along the way in which you go, then you would bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.”

 

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Joseph’s brothers came back from buying food with all their money in their sacks. When Jacob saw the money, he was filled with fear. The plan presented by his sons was to take Benjamin back to Egypt so Simeon could be released. Jacob refused.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob’s sons deceived him when they implied that Joseph was killed by an animal.
• Jacob’s sons had no plan to address the famine, so he had to tell them to go and buy food.
• Jacob’s sons came back with a story that sounded like they did something wrong and were trying to protect themselves from the consequence of their action.

 

It was clear to Jacob that his sons hated Joseph. He could see it in their interaction with Joseph that they had sibling rivalry. Jacob did not help the matter when he spent an enormous amount of time making a coat of many colors for Joseph. They lied about Joseph implying he was dead when they sold him into slavery. Now they were telling the truth, but Joseph wasn’t buying the story.

 

There did not seem like anything good would come out of the plan to take the remaining son of Rachel to Egypt. He refused to send Benjamin, leaving Simeon in jail or possibly he presumed him as dead. BUT GOD had this in the plan.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about Jacob’s reaction to the found money and the plan to take Benjamin to Egypt?
• Have you ever tried to change and run into people who do not believe you are taking steps to a new you?
• Will you stick with the change GOD is making in you and not return to your old ways?

Softened Explanation

Softened Explanation

Genesis 42: ²⁹ Then they went to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan and told him all that had happened to them, saying: ³⁰ “The man who is lord of the land spoke roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country. ³¹ But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies. ³² We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no more, and the youngest is with our father this day in the land of Canaan.’ ³³ Then the man, the lord of the country, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, take food for the famine of your households, and be gone. ³⁴ And bring your youngest brother to me; so I shall know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men. I will grant your brother to you, and you may trade in the land.’ ”

 

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“This is so messed up!” was the detrimental thought that may have been running through the brothers of Joseph’s minds. The spokesperson was not mentioned, but whoever it was, attempted to soften the blow.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph’s brothers told Jacob that the lord of the land spoke roughly to them, similar to a child speaking to a parent trying to express no guilt.
• Joseph’s brothers told Jacob the truth about being accused as spies and that one brother needed to be left while they went to get
• Joseph’s brothers told Jacob that their brother Simeon would be released if Benjamin were brought to Egypt, but they added “and you may trade in the land.”

 

Telling Jacob bad news seem to be a regular thing for Joseph’s brothers. Jacob sent Joseph to see what the brother’s were doing before Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. He did this for a reason, possibly because they kept bringing bad news. The brothers implied to Jacob that an animal had killed Joseph. Now they had to make it seem like Simeon being in jail was no big deal.

 

One of the brothers added something that would possibly appeal to greed. He misquoted Joseph by saying “and you may trade in the land” versus what Joseph really said which is “an you shall not die.” This type of conversation would form the dysfunctional interactions of the tribes. BUT GOD would use the tribes for HIS glory later.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go into detail to Moses about the conversation the brothers had with Jacob?
• Have you ever had to speak to GOD or someone in authority and tried to soften the blow?
• Is GOD growing you up to be able to be honest about difficult situations?

Feared Favor

Feared Favor

Genesis 42: ²⁵ Then Joseph gave a command to fill their sacks with grain, to restore every man’s money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. Thus he did for them. ²⁶ So they loaded their donkeys with the grain and departed from there. ²⁷ But as one of them opened his sack to give his donkey feed at the encampment, he saw his money; and there it was, in the mouth of his sack. ²⁸ So he said to his brothers, “My money has been restored, and there it is, in my sack!” Then their hearts failed them and they were afraid, saying to one another, “What is this that God has done to us?”

 

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GOD gave Joseph a dream that his family would one day bow to him. It was not Joseph’s desire, rather a prophecy from GOD. Joseph’s brothers wanted to kill him over jealousy, but sold him into slavery. After being thrown in a pit and prison, Joseph was made Governor of Egypt. He gave a command to a group of people to return their money, give them food and provide feed for the animals.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph showed extreme grace for his brothers who wanted to murder him.
• Joseph’s brothers had hidden guilt, but after discovering they left Egypt without paying for the food, they believed they would be labeled as thieves.
• Joseph’s brothers could not see favor, possibly because of their guilty and dishonest past.

 

Fear struck the brothers as they found their money they brough to pay for the food. They were already called “spies” by Joseph, but they did not know that it was he who had the funds returned to them. The remainder of the trip home had to be terrifying. Over and over they talked to each other saying “What is this that GOD has done to us?”

 

They may have felt that GOD was repaying them for their attempted murder and hatred of their brother. They probably could not sleep because they feared GOD would zap them at some point if they moved forward or the Egyptians would get them for stealing if they went back. There was no comfort in the favor they received.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the brother’s reaction to Joseph’s secret favor?
• Have you ever felt guilty and could not believe that you deserved favor?
• Would you believe that GOD is showing you favor even though you don’t feel that you deserve it?