Today’s Reading: Genesis 42:1 – 44:17; Psalm 68

When Jacob heard that grain was available in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why are you standing around looking at one another? I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy enough grain to keep us alive. Otherwise we’ll die.” – Genesis 42:1-2

The severe famine that Joseph had predicted when he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream was affecting the whole world (41:57), including Jacob’s family. Staying and doing nothing was not going to save the family; a decision needed to be made. So Jacob took charge and sent his sons to Egypt to get grain, but he kept Benjamin at home.

JACOB MADE THE DECISION TO SEND HIS SONS TO EGYPT FOR FOOD.

Because Joseph was in charge of selling grain to all of the people who were traveling to Egypt for food, he was present when his brothers arrived. Perhaps Joseph saw his family approaching and had time to consider what might happen when they reached the front of the line. What he probably didn’t expect was for his brothers to not recognize him. As they bowed down in front of him, Joseph remembered the dream he had shared with them on a day that seemed a lifetime ago.

One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. “Listen to this dream,” he said. “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!”
His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” — Genesis 37:5-8a

Now here they were, dependent on him for survival. Now they were the ones living in difficult circumstances, while Joseph was living in luxury. How would he respond to the brothers who had caused him such grief? I am not sure even Joseph knew how he was going to respond. Perhaps this was a moment he had spent years considering — What would he do if he ever had the opportunity to see his brothers again? What would he say to those who had ignored him when he had begged for his life?

JOSEPH HAD A DECISION TO MAKE BETWEEN FORGIVENESS AND REVENGE.

Whether this was a well thought out plan or a spontaneous moment, Joseph stood before his brothers and accused them of being spies. Despite their explanation, Joseph threw them into prison. For three short days they experienced what he had endured for 13 long years, and yet they still did not know him.

Speaking among themselves, they said, “Clearly we are being punished because of what we did to Joseph long ago. We saw his anguish when he pleaded for his life, but we wouldn’t listen. That’s why we’re in this trouble.” – Genesis 42:21

Joseph turned away from them so that they would not see his tears. Then he had his brother, Simeon, tied up in front of his brothers, perhaps wanting to remind them of the day when they watched him being led away in ropes and did nothing to save him. Joseph sent them home with grain, but told them they would never see Simeon again if they did not bring their youngest brother back to Joseph. He sent them away with supplies, and secretly had their money placed back inside their bags of grain.

Jacob’s sons returned to him and told him everything that had happened, but he refused to let his youngest son go to Egypt. Time passed and they were running out of food, but they could not go back for more without Benjamin, so Jacob reluctantly allowed them to take his precious son. He sent gifts and returned the money that he knew rightfully belonged to Pharaoh. Reuben, who had planned to rescue Joseph years ago, promised his own sons to Jacob if they did not return with Benjamin. Judah, whose idea it had been to sell Joseph into slavery, also spoke up and promised to be held responsible.

“May God Almighty give you mercy as you go before the man, so that he will release Simeon and let Benjamin return. But if I must lose my children, so be it.” – Genesis 43:14

When they arrived in Egypt, Joseph had his brothers brought into the palace and prepared a feast for them. Joseph was overcome with emotion when he found out his father was still alive and when he met his mother’s other son, Benjamin. He assigned each of his brothers a seat at the table, surprising them by placing them according to their birth order. He filled each of their plates with food from his own royal table; but when he came to Benjamin, he gave him five times more than anyone else.

When his brothers were ready to leave, Joseph gave these instructions to his palace manager: “Fill each of their sacks with as much grain as they can carry, and put each man’s money back into his sack. Then put my personal silver cup at the top of the youngest brother’s sack, along with the money for his grain.” So the manager did as Joseph instructed him. — Genesis 44:1-2

When the silver cup was later discovered in Benjamin’s sack, the brothers returned to Joseph, bowing before him to plead their innocence. Joseph’s response — What have you done? Don’t you know that a man like me can predict the future? (44:15) It seems as if Joseph is giving his brothers a clue — don’t you remember me, the dreamer, the one who predicted this day when you would bow before me?

JOSEPH HAD A CHOICE TO MAKE, AND HE WAS DANCING AROUND HIS DECISION.

Joseph was sitting between the pain of his brothers’ betrayal and the freedom of forgiveness. Would he reveal his identity or would he continue to manipulate and play games with those who had so easily discarded him? Would he forgive his brothers and give them the chance to clear their conscience, or would he punish them by keeping Benjamin with him and sending them home empty handed?

Perhaps this is where you are currently positioned. Perhaps you would describe yourself as being stuck between Genesis chapter 44 and Genesis chapter 45. My prayer for you this morning is that God will give you the strength to choose forgiveness. I pray the knowledge of God’s grace in your own life will give you the peace you need to extend grace to someone else today. I pray that this is the day when God lifts the weight you have been carrying as you let go of your right to be angry.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. — Ephesians 4:31-32