Read Genesis
44-45 & Matthew
14v1-21
To discover:
As you read note the different ways God’s blessing is
displayed.
To ponder:
Joseph’s “game” continues, and with it similar themes. A cup
is hidden in Benjamin’s sack so that he may be charged with evil. This time,
confident of their innocence, the brothers together make a rash promise – death
for the perpetrator and slavery for the rest.
Because
they know they are innocent, verse 16 suggests they see God as uncovering their
guilt for how they treated Joseph. Without his grace, we can all be sure he
will call our sin to account.
But how
different the brothers now are. Their grief over the implications for Benjamin
mirrors the grief of Jacob’s love when losing Joseph (44v13, 37v24). They now
care. And Judah
displayed no concern for his father (or his beloved son) when Joseph was sold.
But now he pleads with Joseph for his father’s sake. It culminates in offering
himself as a substitute for his brother. More than that, he offers himself to
redeem his brother from the slavery due him for stealing the cup. The nobility
of acting like Christ is to sacrifice ourselves for the good of others in just
this way.
Seeing how
his brothers have changed, Joseph cannot contain his emotion (45v2). He reveals
himself and the purpose of the wrong done him: Again and again he stresses “God
sent me” (45v5, 7, 8, 9). The repetition makes the main point clear. God did it
to save lives, and particularly those of Jacob’s family – ie. Israel
(v7). Because of this Joseph is able to display the most astonishing
forgiveness, embracing his brothers with tears, and Benjamin with no hint of
envy (45v14-15). He even urges his brothers not to be distressed or angry with
themselves (45v5). Perhaps understanding God has purpose when others treat us
badly may help us forgive.
The result
of all this is of course God’s blessing. Joseph will provide for the family during
the famine. Pharoah even promises them the best of the land, granting them
carts, supplies and money. One can’t help think of how Pharoah gave Abraham
wealth when he left Egypt,
and how the Egyptians would provide for Israel
as she left too. Again, God is able to deliver his people no matter how severe
their predicament. He can move the greatest of Kings to act kindly towards them.
And through Christ, they will even inherit the earth.
Praying it home:
Think of good God has brought from suffering in your life.
Thank him for it. Pray that in the light of this you will be able to forgive
those who have wronged you.
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