Chapter 43 details the return to Egypt by the brothers. After the food ran out, Jacob sent them to Egypt again (Gen 43:1-2). Judah replied and stated that they could not return to Egypt without their youngest brother Benjamin (Gen 43:3-5). Judah guarantees his life for Benjamin's.
Jacob finally agrees and sends all of the brothers to Egypt to gather food. Upon arrival, they are told that they will eat at Joseph's house (Gen 43:16-18). This brought fear upon them and they considered that it must be a set up.
They began to explain immediately to Joseph how they had found their money in their sacks of grain when they left before and had not stolen anything (Gen 43:20-21). Joseph told them that he had given them back the money...but gave no further explanation other than it was from their God (Gen 43:23). He then returned Simeon to them.
[Don't you know that this was an interesting reunion? Simeon had been waiting for some time but the brothers never returned. I imagine that there was some explaining that needed to occur.]
Joseph fed the brothers and asked of Jacob's well being. He became emotional and had to leave the room to weep. After having gathered himself together, he washed his face and returned to the brothers to complete the charade.
All of the events were designed to keep the brothers on edge. They must have been more anxious than at any other time in their lives. They were completely without control and had to rely only on Joseph's mercy for their own welfare. This feeling in their "gut" must have caused great reflection on the events of the previous years. Perhaps they thought of their brother Joseph's plight. Perhaps they improved their prayer lives. No one really knows. All that is known is the charade is nearly over.
Proverbs 3:9-10 is the takeaway today. The verses remind me that following God means obedience by faith...then the blessing. Many people are willing (at least in conversation) to honor God after they have been blessed. Being a Christ follower means trusting and honoring him "knowing" that the blessing will come. It is obedience for righteousness sake alone. It is also a firm confidence in "knowing" that the blessing/provision is coming because God said so. No further evidence or guarantee is needed. Only the character of God.
What areas of your life are you in need of trusting God with? What place in your heart do you need to surrender? How will you respond to the call to obedience? Will you surrender and "know" that God is faithful...or hold out "knowing" that you sacrifice all blessing in doing so?
Grace,
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2 comments:
I feel like I trust God but there are times when I think I have it figured out. So, I give to Him but then take it back. It is an awful cycle, give and take give and take. I am sure God gets tired of it.
The other problem I have is in what I like to think of it the Job momments(Job is so faithful). The ones that are so bad that it is difficult to beleive. The ones where you can't breath it is so bad. I am learning but those are my two areas where complete surrender is so difficult. That is what I am praying for today.
Amanda,
Thanks for posting. I know the cycle. Good news...God never gets tired of anything. He never gets frustrated. He is in control and is shepherding us toward becoming like Jesus.
You sound pretty on track to me. WIll pray with you. Hang in there!
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