Genesis 42:1-25 The fear of God helps us lay aside our personal grievances to embrace the kingdom’s call

Genesis 42:1-25 The fear of God helps us lay aside our personal grievances to embrace the kingdom’s call

Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another?” 2 He said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us from that place, so that we may live and not die.” 3 Then ten brothers of Joseph went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4 But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “I am afraid that harm may befall him.” 5 So the sons of Israel came to buy grain among those who were coming, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also.

6 Now Joseph was the ruler over the land; he was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. 7 When Joseph saw his brothers he recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and spoke to them harshly. And he said to them, “Where have you come from?” And they said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”

8 But Joseph had recognized his brothers, although they did not recognize him. 9 Joseph remembered the dreams which he had about them, and said to them, “You are spies; you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land.” 10 Then they said to him, “No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. 11 We are all sons of one man; we are honest men, your servants are not spies.” 12 Yet he said to them, “No, but you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land!” 13 But they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers in all, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no longer alive.” 14 Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you, you are spies; 15 by this you will be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here! 16 Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.” 17 So he put them all together in prison for three days.

Now Joseph said to them on the third day, “Do this and live, for I fear God: 19 if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in your prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine of your households, 20 and bring your youngest brother to me, so your words may be verified, and you will not die.” And they did so. 21 Then they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.” 22 Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood.” 23 They did not know, however, that Joseph understood, for there was an interpreter between them. 24 He turned away from them and wept. But when he returned to them and spoke to them, he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes. 25 Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain and to restore every man’s money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. And thus it was done for them.

Background

God uses the famine to initiate the process of reconciliation for the holy family. Salvation in God’s kingdom goes beyond physical sustenance to the restoration of relationships. Here, God is the divine orchestrator while Joseph works with God’s providence to unite the brothers towards a fitting end. Joseph, in laying aside his personal grievances has become an instrument of salvation to Israel and to the world. Today’s devotion teaches us that reverence for God helps us lay aside our personal grievances to embrace the eternal call of the kingdom.

Observation

Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another?”

The famine sent the inhabitants of all Egypt and Canaan scrambling for food. And because known to all the world was the abundance of grain in Egypt, Jacob dispatched his sons to purchase grain. Since Joseph was long gone, Benjamin being his full brother had taken his place in his father’s affections. Jacob’s decision not to send Benjamin arose from his fear of Joseph’s fate befalling him. As Benjamin is now the only surviving son of his beloved Rachel, under all circumstances he must be protected; Leah and her sons don’t matter as much. The rest of the brothers went out in full force to maximise the payload of grain on their return trip.

When Joseph saw his brothers he recognised them, but he disguised himself to them and spoke to them harshly.

For security reasons, it was customary for all foreign buyers of grain to be brought before Joseph. As the brothers bowed down to him, he recognised them but was quick to disguise himself. After being separated for 22 years, Joseph was anxious to understand the circumstances surrounding his family. By ostensibly accusing them of espionage and interrogating them harshly, Joseph put them under duress to respond to his questions truthfully.

Joseph might have forgotten his afflictions, but he remembered the dreams that showed 11 of his brothers bowing down to him. Thus, Joseph strategised and orchestrated a series of events in accordance to that dream so that God’s purposes might be fulfilled. Just as he strategised and brought salvation to Egypt based on Pharaoh’s dreams, now he is strategising to bring salvation to his family based on his dreams.

Joseph maintained his charge against the brothers’ repeated denials. Unknown to the brothers, Joseph was scheming to assemble all of Jacob’s sons in Egypt as shown in the dream. Joseph’s initial plan was to incarcerate all of them while leaving one to return home to fetch Benjamin. However, the plan was modified to have one brother remain incarcerated while allowing the rest to return home with the much needed grain.

Bring your youngest brother to me, so your words may be verified, and you will not die.

Joseph assured them that by bringing Benjamin, they would be exonerated and freed to trade in the land. The brothers, having accepted the inevitability of bringing Benjamin, proceeded to select from amongst themselves one who would remain behind.

Here, the brothers began to speak freely unaware that Joseph actually understood every word they said. Apparently, what weighed heavily on them was the prospect of seeing their father agonise over yet another of his son disappearing. And at the same time alluding to the inevitability of having Benjamin make the trip to Egypt, something that Jacob was unwilling to do from the beginning. In the conversation that ensued, the brothers attributed their current predicament as a fitting retribution to a moral misdeed committed against Joseph years ago. They have alas come to recognise God’s justice befalling them. Their confrontation with death and having to answer to a grieving father appeared to have pushed them to the threshold of penitence. Amidst the exchanges, the words of regret and remorse, Joseph was moved to tears. He turned away and wept but returned to select Simeon whom he considered as one most culpable for the misdeed. Simeon was bound in their presence to impress upon them the severity of the situation should they not return with Benjamin.

Joseph’s decision to return the grain money was a sign of trust returning and that reconciliation was near.

Truth

The fear of God helps us lay aside our personal grievances to embrace the kingdom’s call

Joseph never demanded restitution from his brothers but brought them to repentance. Here, the salvation of Israel goes beyond physical sustenance to the healing of relationships through repentance and reconciliation. God’s kingdom plan for Israel is both physical and spiritual. Many families today appear well to do on the outside but are constantly at odds with one another. Regrettably, peace and trust are rare commodities and out of reach for many. God has called Joseph not only to save Israel from starvation, but to save them from their immoral deeds.

Joseph’s call is considered by many a tall order. Firstly, he is the victim facing his perpetrators and he possesses every right to get even with them. Secondly, he holds the position of power with none on earth to account to for his actions. However, for all his seeming harshness, Joseph never acted out of vengeance. Joseph’s weeping betrayed his steely composure, for he desired more than anything… reconciliation with his brothers. But only if they repent of their misdeeds.

How did Joseph managed to lay aside his personal grievances to embrace the kingdom’s call for reconciliation? Joseph said to the brothers on the third day of their imprisonment, ”Do this and live, for I fear God…” It is Joseph’s fear of God that helped kept his head. His dream is proof that God has personally seen to his sale into Egypt so that he may become deliverer of Israel and the world.

People often make the mistake of focusing on their personal grievances and missed out on their divine call. Many are blinded by hatred and notions of sweet revenge, so much so it robs them of whatever sanity they have left. Joseph has reminded us to look pass our little grievances and injustices, for God’s plans for the kingdom are so much bigger than the petty affairs of men.

Application

Are you embroiled in a bitter conflict and seeking restitution for past grievances? Or are you particularly sensitive to people’s remarks? Or how people may treat you unfairly? Paul said,

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you… Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. Colossians 3:13,15

God’s kingdom culture is one of peace and forbearance. Hence, we ought to let our grievances rest in forgiveness even as the Lord has forgiven us. In so doing, we release ourselves from bondage to pursue our eternal calling in the kingdom’s work. Adopt a local as well as an overseas ministry that endeavour to help those who are marginalised. By focusing your time and resources on such endeavours, you will find it easier to lay aside your grievances and injustices.

Dear Lord, I will not do anything that jeopardises your kingdom’s work. Because I fear you, and because you have forgiven my sins, I will freely release those who has harmed me. Use me to be a peacemaker to bring reconciliation, peace and salvation to the world. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.