November 29, 2020
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Reading along with us in Genesis? Here’s today’s reading:
Genesis 42 (NIV)
Joseph’s Brothers Go to Egypt
1 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” 2 He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”.......Continue Reading
Joseph’s chance to confront his brothers, however, God is orchestrating every step and using Joseph and continuing to bless this family despite their transgressions of the past. Joseph remains faithful and obedient!
“Then Joseph said to them the third day, “Do this and live, for I fear God:…”
I wonder if he tipped his hand here. They don’t know that he isn’t Egyptian, I assume? He is married to the daughter of a priest of On. He tells them he fears God…but perhaps that was a term for any god?
Genesis 42
Genesis 42
Genesis 42
So what Joseph said would happen did and the region experiences famine and Egypt is the only one prepared because of Joseph and what God has revealed. God’s sovereign hand now works to get his brothers to travel to Egypt. One can only imagine the flood of emotion that came over Joseph when he saw them. He tests them so as to see where they stand and to make a way for him to see his full brother Benjamin. But he is far more gracious to them than many of us would be. What a great model Jospeh is for us once again, but we can also imagine that Joseph recognizes how God has worked to put him in the place that he is in.
To Amy’s questions, there is no indication that the brothers had any indication that he was Hebrew as they spoke plainly amongst themselves. They must not have thought it too odd that Joseph talks about fearing God. The Hebrew word here is most likely Elohim but Jospeh would be speaking to them in Egyptian and then have someone translating so they wouldn’t know what Jospeh actually said and therefore couldn’t know the nature of his belief.
But how comforting it must have been for Joseph to hear them express regret about what they did to him and hear that his oldest brother tried to protect him. And certainly their consciences are rightly convicted about their wrong, because even years after their offense, they think God is still getting them back for it. What a great benefit a clear conscience is to know there is no serious and intentional wrong that God may have to be disciplining us for….
Genesis 42
35As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened. 36Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!”
37Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him back.”
38But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.”