Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
"The steward took the men into Joseph's house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys. They prepared their gifts for Joseph's arrival at noon, because they had heard that they were to eat there. When Joseph came home, they presented to him the gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground. He asked them how they were, and then he said, "How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?" They replied, "Your servant our father is still alive and well." And they bowed low to pay him honor. As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother's son, he asked, "Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?" And he said, "God be gracious to you, my son." Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there. After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, "Serve the food." They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians. The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest; and they looked at each other in astonishment. When portions were served to them from Joseph's table, Benjamin's portion was five times as much as anyone else's. So they feasted and drank freely with him." Genesis 43:24-34
Joseph’s brothers had come back to Egypt with Benjamin as Joseph had requested. Simeon was released and so all brothers were once again together, reunited for the first time. Of course, the other eleven brothers did not recognize Joseph and still thought he was gone. They acknowledged him as the powerful ruler he was, only one notch below Pharoah himself.
Scripture says that they "presented to him the gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground." Once again, this was a fulfillment of the dream that Joseph had before his brothers schemed to get rid of him. Interestingly enough, this ruler the brothers feared was very interested in their welfare and the welfare of their father. This should have seemed very unusual to the brothers because the Egyptians held great disdain for the Hebrews. In fact, we read where they refused to eat at the same table with them. This "Egyptian" however seemed different. He cared and "asked them how they were" and then asked about their father, wondering if he was still alive. The father that favored Joseph so much was indeed alive and this had to lift Joseph’s heart. Oh how he must have yearned to see his father again. That time would soon come.
Joseph was also thankful to see his youngest brother, Benjamin. In fact, Benjamin was the only brother he addressed personally saying, "God be gracious to you, my son." The blessing he placed on Benjamin was followed with a sudden outpouring of emotion. Scripture tells us Joseph went to "his private room and wept there." You’ll remember that Joseph and Benjamin were the only two sons born from Jacob’s love Rachel. Joseph held a special place in his heart for his brother and it’s obvious he had missed him. After composing himself, Joseph returns and orders the food to be served.
The meal offered a few other clues that something unique was going on in Egypt. The brothers were "seated before (Joseph) in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest." We read where this astonished them all. How could this Egyptian have known their birth order? We, the readers, know and soon so will the brothers.
The other clue comes when the food is portioned out. We see where Benjamin gets a portion "five times as much as anyone else's." It was obvious that Benjamin was being specially favored but instead of the rest of the brothers being envious of his good fortune, we see instead where they "feasted and drank freely with him." This was just another indicator to Joseph…and to God as well…that the brothers had learned their lesson.
So we see radical changes in the actions of Joseph’s brothers. They have gone from being prideful, selfish and self-centered to being humble, respectful and sacrificing. They have grown tremendously and Joseph has to be feeling like he’s ready to be a part of the family again. On the surface, it would appear that Joseph is testing the brothers but I am more inclined to think that God was testing them and using Joseph…just as He had used Joseph up to this point to get the brothers to realize their wrongs and turn toward being more righteous in their living. Through God, they had eventually learned their lesson.
Question: What mistakes have you made in life? How have those mistakes effected others? Have you hurt others through your actions?
Question: What actions have you taken to correct your mistakes? How pro-active have you been in correcting your sinful attitudes and actions? Have you sought to reconcile with those you have hurt?
If you have trouble answering any of these questions, you only need to turn to God. He will show you the wrongs you have committed but He will also show you the way to overcome your sinfulness and lead you to the place of reconciliation with those you have hurt. Turn to Him…and He will always lead you to where you, like Joseph’s brothers, can learn your lesson. Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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