Do Not Be Troubled

Do Not Be Troubled

Genesis 45: ²¹ Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them carts, according to the command of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey. ²² He gave to all of them, to each man, changes of garments; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments. ²³ And he sent to his father these things: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his father for the journey. ²⁴ So he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them, “See that you do not become troubled along the way.”

 

============

 

Joseph’s brothers got prepared to go home. Joseph gave them an overwhelming amount of food and other items to take back to Israel. He gave Benjamin multiple times more than his brothers. He sent them away and told them to “not become troubled along the way.”

 

My Observations:

• Joseph had to reassure his brothers that there would be no tricks like he did when he had his silver cup hidden in Benjamin’s sack.
• Joseph listened to Pharaoh and gave them the finest provisions of Egypt.
• Joseph’s brothers were probably overwhelmed with seeing him and receiving so many provisions.

 

So much had happened to the brothers, that they needed some assurance. Simeon had been thrown in prison and they were accused of being spies by Joseph. When they got the overwhelming favor, they may have hesitated. Same with us. We may hesitate praising GOD too soon or too loudly because we have been through so much.

 

GOD cleared the way for the sons of Israel to move to Egypt without worry. Joseph remembered his father by sending gifts. Female donkeys would be used to breed. The family received an overwhelming amount of gifts without deserving anything.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the gifts Joseph sent?
• Have you ever received a blessing but hesitated in your praise?
• Will you listen to GOD when HE says “Do not be troubled” so you won’t second guess HIS blessings?

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.

 

============

 

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?

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.

 

============

 

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?

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.’ ”

 

============

 

“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?