Jan 27: Genesis 43-45

 Jan 27, Genesis 43-45

Genesis 43 The Famine continued and was very severe. Meanwhile, however Simeon, the brother, was still back in the prison of Egypt, as he wasn’t to be released until the younger brother was proven. How long was Simeon there for? He was there as long as it took his family back home, to eat all the food they had boughten. This was also when Jacob’s told his sons to go back to Egypt to buy more food. The sons reminded Jacob that the Egyptian man (who was really Joseph) told them that they had to bring the little brother with them next time, as proof of their honesty, or he would not sell them more food. Jacob refused to let Benjamin go, as Rachel was his favorite wife, and she bore him 2 sons - Joseph and Benjamin. Jacob still thinks that Joseph is dead and that Benjamin is all that he has left from Rachel, who died. Now, Judah put his own life on the line as a pledge of security for Benjamin. Finally Jacob relents and had the sons bring some of the choicest fruits, double the money, and some other items with them to bring to the man of Egypt in charge (Joseph). And they all hurried to Egypt. When they arrived, Joseph saw them coming and saw Benjamin. Joseph might have wondered if the other siblings would have killed off Benjamin as Joseph was, and seeing his other brother he quickly made plans for dinner and had his employee bring them into his house. They were tricked last time and had the money that they paid for the grain returned to them in their food sack, and they were certain that they were going to be punished for that. The response from the steward: “peace to you, don't be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you, I received your money.” This was a response, that Joseph worked up, so that the Brothers wouldn’t have worried about the money, instead it shows that Joseph loved his family and wouldn’t let his family pay for the grain that God provided all of them. God works things out His ways! Then Joseph comes home and the brothers, including Simeon who was released from prison, all bow to him (like in the dreams…) and when Joseph talked with his little brother Benjamin, he had to run out of the room, as he was overwhelmed with emotion, and he wept alone, probably also wondering what to do. After gaining his composure, he returned, and they all sat down to a massive feast with the Hebrews and Egyptians eating separately, due to cultural differences. Joseph wouldn’t have been sitting with his brothers, but maybe at a table just separated from them. This would have also reiterated that Joseph was Egyptian, and also how imbedded Joseph was the Egyptians. Joseph also seated his brothers in birth order and the brothers noticed that they were sitting next to each other in order of birth. Also for the love that Joseph had to his birth brother, Benjamin received 5 times the portion of food that they brothers received. They all eat and drank until they were full and a little intoxicated. But remember the brothers were older than the cartoons portray them as; Joseph would have been around 39 years old and he was the second youngest brother. 

Genesis 44 came another test for the brothers. Joseph instructed his steward (employee or servant) to fill all the brothers sacks with food and then to put Joseph’s silver cup into Benjamin’s sack. Again, Joseph is setting them up. Why would he do this you might ask? Here is the thing, Joseph had been betrayed by his brothers. He was sold into slavery by them. He might also know that Benjamin, who is the only other brother from Rachel and a known favorite of his father, might be in danger of the same future. If the brothers aren’t sorry for what they have done to Joseph, Benjamin could be sold next. So instead, he devises a way to see if the brothers want to get rid of Benjamin as they got rid of him. If so, he could take Benjamin and save his life. So, he instructs his staff to tell them to leave and then to chase after them accusing them of stealing. When the servant reaches them, he tells the brothers that it was because of the Egyptian Masters stolen cup that he is looking for. The brothers were all confident that none of them had stolen anything, so the brothers told them if anyone of them has the stolen goods they will all become servants and the thief shall die. But the servant states, “No, just the one who stole the cup shall stay in Egypt as a slave.” And it ended up being in Benjamin’s sack of food! The brothers freaked out, as they knew this news would probably kill their father and Judah had even pledged his own life, making him break his vow. They were brought back to Joseph in Egypt, and they fell to the ground again at his feet. Joseph claims that it it was his use of magic, that he knows the future. We know that Joseph here pretends to know, but in reality, set the whole thing up. Judah plead his case before him and explained the nature of the situation with the Father and that not taking Benjamin home would kill him. Judah here, asks for the Egyptian Master to trade places with the younger brother, and asks to be taken a slave instead. Which would have resulted in him not going back home to his son and wife, Tamar, who had two children with him. This wasn’t a flippant response but instead, a sacrifice for Judah, to see Benjamin safe and home with his father. How the attitude had changed. In 22 years, the brothers have gone from trying to kill the favorite son and selling him, to - giving their lives in exchange for the new favored son.  

Genesis 45 - Joseph was about to lose his emotional control and sent his staff away. He revealed to his brothers who he really was. Can you just picture this? An amazing reunion this would be. The brothers can’t even contemplate this reality, that Joseph was this Egyptian Master they had been talking to, and it takes them a bit respond to Joseph. But Joseph had a lot that he had been waiting to say to his brothers. And he said all of it. Later he tells Pharaoh about his family, and the King of Egypt invites his family to come live in Egypt for the remainder of the 5 years of famine that the world would have had to endure. The brothers travel to Canaan to get all the family, as well as tell their dad that Joseph isn’t dead. The chapter ends with Jacob stating that he is ready to travel to Egypt to see his long lost son, before he dies. As people living in the 21st century, it seems as though we desperately want to know our ‘purpose’ in life. It is not enough to just Glorify God and enjoy Him Forever, we want purpose too. Well, here was Joseph’s’ purpose and it wasn't about him, as it starts in verse 5: “And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.” When we think life sucks and our hope is dismal - remember the story of Joseph - GOD HAS YOU WHERE HE WANTS YOU; TO DO WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO. It is not about us, but it is about what God wants to do and sometimes He uses us. Some people will not be ok with that, as it doesn't focus on us. But as you can see in the story of Joseph, nothing is better than the plan of God. 

To sum it all up:

• God genuinely is in control of all things and that includes you, your future, and your needs. He intertwines everything so that it all works out. Just look at Joseph! I don't believe in luck or coincidence - because nobody is that good to line up all those conversations, relationships and timing for 1 guy to save the food supply for an entire continent. Trust in God.