Read Genesis
42-43 & Matthew
13v33-58
To discover:
As you read note the signs the brothers may be feeling guilt
over their treatment of Joseph.
To ponder:
Again the promise seems under threat: Will Jacob and sons live
or die in the famine (42v2)? Jacob’s rebuke to the brothers for not taking
action (v1) affirms that our decisions are at the same time God’s means of
working out his purposes. We need to seek their fulfilment.
Throughout
we see the loss of Joseph behind the events. It is for this reason Jacob is
concerned about harm coming to Benjamin (42v36-38). Yet we also see God’s
purpose in Joseph’s hardships being fulfilled. As the brothers bow down his
dreams comes to pass (v6, 9). But Joseph is not going to make it easy. His
apparent scheming doesn’t seem to flow from vengeance. He fears God (v18) and
on reflection softens his requirements of the brothers (v16-20). Moreover, he
is deeply moved when seeing Benjamin (43v30). Rather, his focus on Benjamin
seems an attempt to test the rest – to see if their attitude has changed.
It seems it
has: The brothers are deeply aware of their prior guilt, seeing what happens as
an accounting (42v21-23). Moreover, the focus is on the two brothers who were
mentioned when Joseph was sold. Reuben is still prepared to step up; although
he blames the others (42v22) and makes the obviously rash promise that Jacob
could kill both his sons if he doesn’t bring Benjamin back (42v37). Judah,
however, has come on: Having previously suggested selling Joseph, he offers to
take Benjamin and guarantees his safety (43v8-10). Perhaps aware of the blame
he already carries, he says he will bear the blame “all my life” if anything
happens to him.
What also starts
to be hinted at, is that despite their guilt, the brothers are being protected
by God’s grace. This is represented by Joseph freely giving them the grain,
Jacob’s (Israel’s) prayer that God would show mercy to them (43v14), the
declaration by Joseph’s servant that “the God of your father” had given them
the treasure that was returned to them (43v23), and Joseph’s blessing of “God
be gracious” to Benjamin (43v29).
Past
wickedness doesn’t exclude us from present grace. Just consider the apostle
Paul. And that grace is not just saving grace but transforming grace. Our guilt
is atoned for through Christ’s death and our hearts are changed by his Spirit.
God had been shaping the brothers. His concern is for “a people that are his
very own, eager to do what is good” (Tit 2v14).
Praying it home:
Thank God for the marks of saving and transforming grace in
your life. Pray that work would continue and that you would be prepared to
serve the fulfilment of God's purposes.
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