In
Genesis chapter 42, we see that God’s provision through Joseph, is
extended to the sons of Israel. The chapter begins, “When
Jacob learned there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “why
do you just keep looking at each other…there is grain in Egypt. Go
down there and buy some so that we may live”.
From Jacob’s tone it would appear there is a great reluctance to go
to Egypt. Even though it has been twenty years since Joseph was sold
off, his brothers are keenly aware that he was being taken there to
be sold as a slave. They seem to be paralyzed by their fear. Hunger
overcomes their fear and , “Ten
of Joseph’s brothers were sent down to buy grain in Egypt. But Jacob
did not send Benjamin“.
Jake seems to be up to his old tricks, treating the remaining son of
his beloved Rachel different from the rest of his sons. It also says
, “he
was afraid that harm might come to him“.
It seems Jacob has not forgiven his sons for Joseph’s loss and he is
now a bitter man. When we hold on to anger it steals our joy.
Ephesians 4:26 reminds us, “Do
not let the sun go down on your anger and do not give the devil an
opportunity“.
Holding on to anger separates us from God and gives Satan an
opportunity to use it as an excuse to sin.
In
Egypt, Joseph is in charge of distribution of the grain, “So
when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him“.
He immediately recognized them, but pretends to be a stranger.
“Then
he remembered his dream”
from Genesis chapter 37. We learn he only speaks to them through an
interpreter and he is certainly dressed in the garments of the
Egyptian official. He speaks harshly to his brothers and accuses
them of being spies and questions them. Finally they explain, “Your
servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man who lives in
Canaan…The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more“.
Joseph takes this omission of the truth to “test”
them. First, he has them put in prison for three days and then he
says, “let
one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest take grain
back for your starving household. But you must bring your youngest
brother to me so your words may be verified“.
The brothers say to one another, “Surely
we are being punished because of our brother…Now we must give an
accounting for his blood“.
They did not know he could understand them, and at hearing this,
Joseph turned away and wept. He weeps because they are finally
accepting responsibility for the sorrow they have caused. Joseph had
Simeon taken and bound. Then he had their grain loaded and their
silver returned to them and even provided provisions for their
journey.
When
they realize the silver has been returned to them, “their
hearts sank“.
After retelling the story to their father, he says, “You
have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no
more, and now you want to take Benjamin… My son will not go down
there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left“.
Note what bitterness has done to Jacob’s great faith. Joseph’s
treatment may seem cruel, but he knows it is the only way to reunite
with his father and brothers. We too are stubborn, and God often has
to bring us to a place where we are forced to deal with our
rebellion. Psalm 119 talks about how this happens in verses 67-72;
“Before
I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep Thy word…It is good
for me that I was afflicted, that I may know Your statutes“.
And so it is with us, it is in our trials that we are drawn closest
to God.