May 9, 2024
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Reading along with us in Genesis? Here’s today’s reading:
Genesis 44 (NIV)
A Silver Cup in a Sack
1 Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack. 2 Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said.……Continue Reading
It’s hard to stop in the middle of the story!
”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.” 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.”“
Genesis 44:16-17 NKJV
Genesis 43-50 & Exodus 1.
Oh how Judah and all the brothers have come full circle! None of them but Rueben was worried about their father when they sold Joseph and told Jacob he was dead. Now they are willing to become slaves or die for their father. Judah pleads for his brother’s life and asks to take the place of his brother having watched the turmoil they caused their father for so many years must have been so difficult knowing your own selfish jealousy caused it.
Genesis 44
They found the cup that had been put in Benjamin’s sack. Joseph Said to the men leave Benjamin here with me.He will be my personal slave and you may all leave. Judah asks Joseph to take Benjamin’s place?As he said his father would surely die if he came back without benjamin.
Genesis 44
Genesis 44
Joseph has another test for his brothers to see who they are now. When he sends them on their way he has the steward to hide Joseph`s silver cup inside Benjamin`s sack. Then when the silver cup is found in Benjamin`s sack; they are all brought before Joseph. Judah speaking for his brothers pleads for Benjamin to be set free and that he would take his place. It would kill their father { Israel} if Benjamin didn`t come back. For he is old. Joseph was no doubt seeing their reactions. Where as these same brothers wanted to kill Joseph but sold him instead are now pleading for their father`s now favorite son. What a turn around in attitude.
Joseph turned the atmosphere from one of merriment and great fellowship to abject horror and confusion in a split second. Not unlike how he was treated years before at their hands. This they did to prevent them from bowing before Joseph. This Joseph did that they would bow to God. -reb
Genesis 44
Joseph establishes a ploy here to see whether the brothers will treat Benjamin better than they did him. They let Jacob’s favoritism of Joseph lead to the decisions they made about him. Joseph wanted to see if they would disregard Benjamin in the same way. So now the same brother who convinced the brothers to sell Joseph into slavery (some would say at least that is better than them killing him) now defends Benjamin and seeks to protect both him and Jacob. It is always sad to hear how the brothers talk about themselves in relation to Benjamin. It as if they don’t even exist. It is not a pattern to replicate in our own families.
Genesis 44