“[Jacob] 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.’ Then ten brothers of Joseph went down to buy grain from Egypt. But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, ‘I am afraid that harm may befall him.’ Now Joseph was the ruler over the land; he was the one who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph had recognized his brothers, although they did not recognize him… and he said to them, ‘You are spies; you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land.’ Then they said to him, ‘No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. We are all sons of one man; we are honest men, your servants are not spies.’ Joseph said to them… ‘Do this and live, for I fear God: if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in [our] prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine of your households, and bring your youngest brother to me, so your words may be verified, and you will not die.’ And they did so.” (v2-4,6,8-11,18-20)
The ten older brothers of Joseph, the same brothers who betrayed him, travel to Egypt to buy food since Canaan is also experiencing famine. Little do they know that their “dead” brother is the one negotiating their grain purchase and accusing them of spying. I believe Joseph accuses his brothers of spying, and puts them in prison for three days to see if they have repented of their sin, not because he wanted to be vengeful or harm them.
Though I’d completely understand if Joseph wanted to get even with his brothers, he instead uses this opportunity to teach them a lesson, bless them, and convince them to bring Benjamin back. [Note: just a reminder that despite these 10 being his half-brothers, Benjamin is Joseph’s only full brother (from Israel & Rachel)]
So, in accordance with God’s leading, Joseph teaches his brothers a lesson in humility and God’s blessing – he keeps Simeon hostage and sends the other 9 back with their grain to retrieve Benjamin. The abundance comes into play when the brothers open their saddle bags a realize that Joseph returned their money which they had paid for the grain – they get the food for free. “Then he said to his brothers, ‘My money has been returned, and behold, it is even in my sack.’ And their hearts sank, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, ‘What is this that God has done to us?’ ” (v28) At this point it seems God is beginning to work in their hearts, convicting them of their sin, and blessing them despite of what they have done.
I know I feel undeserving of God’s grace and mercy, and these men also felt sick at the thought of being unduly blessed. Can you recall a time that God blessed you when you were undeserving? How did that make you feel? I personally feel gross on the inside, the shameful sticky feeling of guilt and that knot in the pit of my stomach can become unbearable.
Everyone (including God’s followers) make mistakes, and God longs to forgive our sins and cleanse us of bondage – guilt, shame and regret for our sin. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn 1:9) “He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins Into the depths of the sea.” (Mic 7:18b-19) “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8:1)
I will close with a blessing from scripture: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Php 3:12-14) May you go in the confidence of knowing that God’s work in your life, His conviction and forgiveness of your sin, is so you may experience the freedom of grace and mercy that Jesus died to give us. May we be freed from our shameful past and embrace the joyful present in our Father’s loving arms.
~ Conqueror in Training