Genesis 43:14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
Our God, that master dramatist, at work again Friends, continuing to weave a devious, awe inspiring plot in Joseph’s story. When his brothers bow before him, he speaks roughly to them, accusing them of being spies. They refute his accusation, saying, ‘Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.’ (Gen.42:13) They simply explain the missing twelfth; ‘one is not.’ That must have stirred Joseph’s emotions. He insists they are spies, instructing that one of them go and bring their youngest brother, else he would deal with them as spies, then he locks them up for three days. On the third day, he lets them out and says, ‘This do, and live: for I fear God.’ (Gen.42:13) His conscience is possibly pricking him some. One of them would stay locked up in Egypt while the others take food back to their families, but they had to bring their youngest brother back to prove they weren’t spies. Obviously agitated by this news, they argue amongst themselves, in front of Joseph, unaware that he understood their language, since he used an interpreter to communicate with them. They spoke of what they had done to him; their father’s youngest and favourite, and now his requiring again their father’s youngest and favourite, be brought before him. Hearing their controversy, the emotions so well up in Joseph’s heart, he leaves them, goes away and weeps. On returning, he has Simeon bound in front of them, then commands his servants to fill their sacks with corn, along with their money, and sends them away well provisioned. Along the way, one finds the money in his sack, and tell his brothers. ‘Their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?’ (Gen.42:28) Oh Friends, isn’t it sad that when we do wrong, we’re not concerned about God, but when something untoward happens to us, we quickly blame God, or cry out to Him in anguish. So with that fear in their hearts they come to Jacob and recount their strange experience, and find all their money in their bags. Jacob is fit to be tied. ‘Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.’ (Gen.42:36) And though Reuben offers his two sons as a sacrifice if Benjamin doesn’t return, Jacob is adamant. Benjamin will not go. But when the Lord’s involved, a man’s plans are like a breath of wind; easily diverted. And so it was that the famine worsened, and all the corn they’d brought from Egypt consumed. Then Jacob asked them to go back to buy more, but they refused, for Joseph had refused to deal with them again unless they brought their brother. They seem to have forgotten that Simeon was a prisoner in Egypt and would die if they never returned. With the food situation worsening though, they finally convinced Jacob. In sad resignation, ‘their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this.’ (Gen.43:11) He also told them to take presents for Joseph, whatever was best in the land, double the money to purchase corn, plus the money they’d found in their bags, ‘peradventure it was an oversight. Take also your brother, and arise and go again unto the man. And God Almighty give you mercy before the man…If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.’ (Gen.43:12-14) Ah Friends, children don’t realize that a parent’s greatest fear and biggest heartache is burying their children, especially the youngest. It should be the children burying the parents. Any parent would understand Jacob’s reluctance to let Benjamin out of his sight, having lost Joseph. But Friends, please remember, the Lord’s always walking beside, or carrying us on his strong, broad shoulders, so once we’ve given our lives and hearts to Him, we need not fear. Like Jacob, we simply pray that God grants us His mercy. Much LOVE!…do your best…to God…leave the rest…
Our God, that master dramatist, at work again Friends, continuing to weave a devious, awe inspiring plot in Joseph’s story. When his brothers bow before him, he speaks roughly to them, accusing them of being spies. They refute his accusation, saying, ‘Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.’ (Gen.42:13) They simply explain the missing twelfth; ‘one is not.’ That must have stirred Joseph’s emotions. He insists they are spies, instructing that one of them go and bring their youngest brother, else he would deal with them as spies, then he locks them up for three days. On the third day, he lets them out and says, ‘This do, and live: for I fear God.’ (Gen.42:13) His conscience is possibly pricking him some. One of them would stay locked up in Egypt while the others take food back to their families, but they had to bring their youngest brother back to prove they weren’t spies. Obviously agitated by this news, they argue amongst themselves, in front of Joseph, unaware that he understood their language, since he used an interpreter to communicate with them. They spoke of what they had done to him; their father’s youngest and favourite, and now his requiring again their father’s youngest and favourite, be brought before him. Hearing their controversy, the emotions so well up in Joseph’s heart, he leaves them, goes away and weeps. On returning, he has Simeon bound in front of them, then commands his servants to fill their sacks with corn, along with their money, and sends them away well provisioned. Along the way, one finds the money in his sack, and tell his brothers. ‘Their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?’ (Gen.42:28) Oh Friends, isn’t it sad that when we do wrong, we’re not concerned about God, but when something untoward happens to us, we quickly blame God, or cry out to Him in anguish. So with that fear in their hearts they come to Jacob and recount their strange experience, and find all their money in their bags. Jacob is fit to be tied. ‘Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.’ (Gen.42:36) And though Reuben offers his two sons as a sacrifice if Benjamin doesn’t return, Jacob is adamant. Benjamin will not go. But when the Lord’s involved, a man’s plans are like a breath of wind; easily diverted. And so it was that the famine worsened, and all the corn they’d brought from Egypt consumed. Then Jacob asked them to go back to buy more, but they refused, for Joseph had refused to deal with them again unless they brought their brother. They seem to have forgotten that Simeon was a prisoner in Egypt and would die if they never returned. With the food situation worsening though, they finally convinced Jacob. In sad resignation, ‘their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this.’ (Gen.43:11) He also told them to take presents for Joseph, whatever was best in the land, double the money to purchase corn, plus the money they’d found in their bags, ‘peradventure it was an oversight. Take also your brother, and arise and go again unto the man. And God Almighty give you mercy before the man…If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.’ (Gen.43:12-14) Ah Friends, children don’t realize that a parent’s greatest fear and biggest heartache is burying their children, especially the youngest. It should be the children burying the parents. Any parent would understand Jacob’s reluctance to let Benjamin out of his sight, having lost Joseph. But Friends, please remember, the Lord’s always walking beside, or carrying us on his strong, broad shoulders, so once we’ve given our lives and hearts to Him, we need not fear. Like Jacob, we simply pray that God grants us His mercy. Much LOVE!…do your best…to God…leave the rest…
SCRIP-BITS 