Gen
42:4, 21-24 (NIV) But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with the
others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him.
. . .
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 upon us."
22
Reuben replied, "Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you
wouldn't listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood." 23 They
did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an
interpreter.
24 He
turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them
again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.
NOTE: It is always a
question in my mind why Joseph plays the game that he does. His weeping gives a
hint. He loves his family and he so is not engaged in a cruel joke. He weeps as
he hears them recount their sin (Reuben calls it sin) against him (not knowing
that he, Joseph, stood before them). At that point, he realizes that at least
some of them are also suffering for what they have done to him. But he is
apparently not completely convinced of the change in their lives and so he
continues the game. His father's response is also interesting in keeping
Benjamin home. While he might be playing favorites, it could be that in some
way he does not trust the other sons to protect the youngest. He has no qualms
about sending ten sons to get grain, but will not chance his youngest. It may
be nothing, or distrust, or just not wanting to lose all his children at once.
Either way, a game begins that is actually a test. Joseph adds other elements
to the test, like secretly returning their money. All of it is to determine
what the 17 years have done to his brothers and Father.
As an old year
passes by, so we too need to take stock. We don't have a Joseph to test us (or
maybe we do), but we can ask hard questions. Is my life any different this year
than last year or five years ago or ten years ago? Am I stuck in some valley
because I choose not to take steps to move out? A new year is a chance for new
beginnings. But we can't do it on our own, nor will God do it for us. We must
ask God for spiritual growth; we must confess sins; and we must choose to take
the first step by laying out a plan of change. The simplest and most powerful
is to meet with God for a daily 5-10 minute devotional each morning. Make it a
new habit and your life will be revitalized beyond your wildest dreams.
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