SCRIPTURE: Genesis 43:1-34
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
This story illustrates God’s grace in a wonderful way. Expecting judgment, they are received with amazing generosity. They cannot believe what is happening, and they marvel at how much he knows them (even their birth order). Joseph seems to be testing them, humbling them. But he loves them, and longs to be reunited with them. The feast is like the Great Feast where the Lord will graciously invite us to sit, and He will eat with us. The question is, will we humble ourselves before Him? Will we open the door of our hearts to Him so that we can eat together (Revelation 3:20)?
Despite all that we have done against the Lord, still He loves us. And though He tests us, He does so with good purpose. Our hearts need to be humbled before we can take part in His eternal celebration.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for not treating me as my sins deserve, and for not leaving me just as I am. Though Your discipline is not easy, it is good. Thank You! Amen.
How confusing this whole experience must have been for Joseph’s brothers.
We know the outcome -how God was making a ‘temporary’ home for the people of Israel so that they could survive.
But, the brothers only knew that there was famine and they needed help. They had to go to their enemy to ask for food. It would have been a fearful time.
Jacob prayed for them before they left, asking God’s blessing but also saying ‘If I am bereaved so be it’.
None of them knew what would happen of if they would survive! (all the brother’s wives, children, servants and animals were starving too.)
When the brothers see Joseph’s steward and make their explanations he tells them not to worry and that their God must be taking care of them. Simeon is brought to them.Now what did the brothers think? How did the steward know about their God. Why was this happening! They must be glad that they are safe and not in trouble… but what is going on and why are they eating at Josephs house? Surely these things did not happen to the other foreigners who came to Egypt for food?
Later, as the brothers are seated they are in their birth order! Who arranged that?
What a complicated scenario God is using to reunite Joseph with his family and to save Israel!
We must remember this in the complications of our lives. God does not do things the way we would. But that is okay. He knows best and He can make good come out of every situation …even when we made the trouble in the first place!
Thank-you God!
How hard we work for our possessions – our silver and gold. Yet in the time of famine, we will readily use our monies to buy our bread. This reminds me of the rich man not willing to follow Jesus. It is only God who gives us our daily bread as stated in the Lord’s prayer. He is the Bread of Life! He supplies our daily bread.
Joseph’s dreams were fulfilled – God’s Word had come to pass. Joseph’s influence was also great in his own household because the servant put the hearts of his brothers at ease. Joseph also gave more to his youngest brother which the other brothers noticed. We need to be content in what we have and not envy what others have. The brothers fellowship together in love, They experienced the love of their brother Joseph. I experience the love of Christ each and every day, since I am part of His household.
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I love Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.