READ: Genesis 43-44 / Psalm 26
Verse chosen for meditation - Gen.43:14 "May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”
REFLECT
The food finally ran out and Jacob’s family needed to go back to Egypt for more. Judah persuaded Jacob to let Benjamin go back to Egypt with him and that he would be responsible for his safety. Jacob feared he wouldn’t see his Benjamin again, but agreed. He recognised that only God would protect them. He said, “If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” – Gen. 43:14. Sometimes we need to let go of control and trust God. It is not resignation to fate, but faith in God who knows best. That’s what Jacob did. He surrendered to God’s will. He sent his 11 sons back to Egypt. Jacob sent gifts and doubled the money.
When the brothers arrived, they told Joseph’s steward about the silver found in their bags and made it clear they wanted to return it. The steward assured them they weren’t accused of stealing and that God had given it to them and they shouldn’t be afraid. Then Simeon was brought out to them. The brothers were taken into Joseph’s house and given water to wash their feet and fodder for their donkeys.
The brothers received blessings of love and kindness from Joseph without really knowing who he was. God gives us love and blessings even when we don’t recognise from who our blessings come.
When Joseph returned to his residence, they presented him with gifts and bowed before him, once again fulfilling Joseph’s dreams as a youth. He began to ask questions about his father and his emotions grew. Then when Joseph saw Benjamin, he was deeply moved and left the room to weep in private. When he returned, he ordered a celebration with a feast. Joseph still didn’t tell them who he was. He wanted to test them further. In the past they had been jealous and cruel. Joseph needed to know if their attitudes had changed.
The brothers were seated at the table in order of their age. The brothers were astonished as to how Joseph could have known their ages. Joseph ate by himself, because Egyptians weren’t allowed to eat with Hebrews. I am sure Joseph listened and observed his brothers as they ate. Benjamin’s portion was five greater than the others. This was probably another test to see if the brothers would be jealous of Benjamin.
Before his brothers left for home Joseph gave them a final test. He instructed the steward to put his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. With this test Joseph gave his brothers the opportunity to make Benjamin a slave. Maybe they were now jealous of Benjamin. This would tell Joseph if they had truly changed.
The next day they left, but hadn’t gone far when Joseph’s steward was instruction to go after them and accuse them of theft of his cup. Of course it was found in Benjamin’s sack. Judah told Joseph that they are his slaves and that God had caught them. He was referring to their sin committed against Joseph as a youth knowing they would have to pay. Joseph pretended he didn’t know what they are talking about and let them go except for Benjamin.
Judah pleaded for Benjamin’s life and told Joseph the whole story of what they had done years ago. Judah showed love and concern for the grief it would cause his father if he lost Benjamin. He laid his heart before Joseph. He volunteered to take Benjamin’s place and serve as a slave in Egypt. What an amazing change! He showed great humility and real repentance.
RELATE
Joseph is a picture of Jesus. Jesus wants to sup with us and that is symbolic of the fact that He desires an intimate relationship with us. In our culture, we share food at the same table with our loved ones and those we are in agreement with. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me.” – Rev. 3:20.
However, the strong bond we ought to forge with Jesus does not absolve us from daily life challenges which God allows to test our character and turn our focus to Him. Instead of living life our own way, we'll have to surrender to Him.
Finally, while there is joy and celebration in heaven when someone receives Christ as his/her Saviour, there is also a celebration when someone falls away from the Lord (likened to Joseph's brothers who abandoned him) and then returns. Perhaps you have left Him, but He has never forsaken you. All you have to do is come back to the Father and ask His forgiveness.
REST
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)
Tan Tee Khoon
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