2019-3-9

Genesis 42:1-38

When Joseph brothers (except Benjamin) faced the fact that they had to go down to Egypt for food. When they heard the word Egypt from old Jacob, they just looked at each other.(Genesis 42:1) Why?  It is probably because “Egypt” brought a painful reminder of their past evil act by selling their brother Joseph to Egypt as a slave.
However, they did not have any choice but to go down to Egypt, the only place that still had food for sell.

When they were in Egypt, Joseph was the governor in charge of the food. He accused them of spying the land. They were put in custody for three days.
During their hardship, they reflected on what they had done to Joseph and treated this ordeal as punishment from God.
From Genesis 42:21, they said to one another “Surely, we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on use.”
A lot of time, God uses hardship to help us to awake and clean our consciences so that we can turn to him for rescue.

Later on, Joseph changed his mind from keeping nine of them in custody and release one back. He softened to keep one in custody and sending the nine home, so that they could carry enough food back home. Joseph also returned the silver back into their sack.
Why would Joseph put the silver back to their sack? It is purely an act of loving grace by Joseph.
It parallels for what God has done for us.
“His grace shines through when He blesses us when we know we deserve punishment.” (Bible.org) Joseph brothers did not deserve such a kind treatment, but Joseph showed his loving grace toward his brothers because God is with Joseph.

“When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind.” (Quote from the movie Wonder)          —- Alan Yam