Genesis 43:11-30
Verse 11 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds.
Time had passed and what the brothers had brought back from Egypt was nearly gone. Simeon was still in the prison in Egypt and may have thought he would be there for the rest of his life. The brothers had quite a task though to convince their dad they needed to go back and they had to take Benjamin with them. Knowing there was no other way, Jacob finally gives in, sending many treats from his homeland to try to help the governor to look kindly on his sons and return them to him.
When they brought these gifts to Joseph’s people and tried to return the silver from their first visit, they were told the money must be a gift from their God. If Joseph was given the gifts of foods brought by his brothers, he would probably enjoyed them and reminisced about the flavors he had been missing for 20 some years. But these treats would also have shown him something pretty important about the state of his father. These treats showed Joseph that his father hadn’t been reduced to a pauper. And the fact they could still pay with monies showed that they weren’t struggling too much, they hadn’t lost the family wealth.
The time it took them to come back with Benjamin, even with Simeon sitting in prison, must have shown him how much his dad still missed him. He had heard the brothers say that they had a bother who was gone and seeing everyone else was accounted for showed him that the lie they had told his dad about him being killed was believed and a kept promise between the brothers. 17 years is a long time to hold a secret for one person, it is amazing that it was kept by all 10 of the brothers for that long.
Then Joseph saw Benjamin and he couldn’t contain his emotions any longer. This little brother, the brother who didn’t sell him. There may have been facial characteristics which reminded him of one parent or the other, or maybe both. Seeing Benjamin showed him all he had missed the last nearly 20 years.
This was building up into a spectacular moment in Joseph’s life. God had worked mightily in Joseph’s life and was about to work His greatest work in him. God had made him at the right time in history, had allowed him to be sold into slavery so that he would be in Egypt at the perfect time to organize one of the greatest food banks in the history of the world and was now showing him about what his brothers needed more than grain. They needed forgiveness.
Making It Personal
Can you think of a time in your life where you found God had worked out details for the very thing that was happening? How easy is it to spot His working? When has God pointed out someone you need to forgive?
Making It Personal Kids
Why do you think God had some bad things happen to Joseph before he met his brothers again? What kinds of things can you learn when things aren’t going well? Do you obey God in the hard times?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for this reminder of how we should trust You through all the hard times in life knowing You are using them for our good and Your glory. Give us the desire to endure for Your purposes. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Komentarze