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?