TODAY’S READING: GENESIS 42-45
OVERVIEW:
Joseph’s brothers buy corn and bow down to him; Simeon is detained and Benjamin is summoned; Joseph’s brothers return to Egypt for food; Judah offers to take the place of Benjamin; Joseph reveals himself to his brothers.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
As God spotlights the life of Joseph in these final chapters of the Book of Genesis, it is interesting how God introduces to us the life principle that “what goes around comes around” or, to state it in biblical terms, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Ironically, Jacob, who willfully deceived his father by the skins of “the kids of the goats” (Gen. 27:16), is deceived by his sons in a similar manner in chapter 37:31-33.
The principle is often fleshed out in Scripture. For example, Pharoah, who called for the destruction of God’s people by the waters of theRed Sea(Ex.14:15) saw his own people drowned by the waters of theRed Sea(Ex.14:28). Korah, who caused a division among God’s people (Num. 16:1-3) was swallowed alive by a division in the ground (Num.16:31-32). Haman, who built the gallows upon which to hang a godly Hebrew (Esther5:14), was hanged from those very gallows (Est.7:10). Because of this biblical principle, as adverse situations unfold in our lives, it is always a good practice to step back and ask ourselves, “Is this happening in my life because I am reaping according to what I’ve sown?” God may be trying to reveal to us how it is that we need to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (II Cor. 7:1).
The whole story of Joseph’s dealings with his brothers in this section foreshadows that coming day in another time of tribulation (Rev. 6:5-8) when the remnant of Israel will confess its guilt in connection with the death of the Messiah and will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only son (Zech. 12:10).
As the brothers make their second trip back to Joseph, you can begin to detect a change of heart:
- Judah, who so ruthlessly sold Joseph for profit with no concern for his father’s heartbreak in chapter 37, pours out his heart in intercession before Joseph in chapter 44, offering himself as a slave to spare his father the doubly-painful sorrow of losing Benjamin. Judahmoved from selling his brother into slavery, to being willing to become a slave in his brother’s behalf.
- The brother’s willingness to return the money.
- And, the confession of the truth to Joseph’s steward.
Though these were positive signs of their change of heart, they were also evidence that they were making some horrendous mistakes. Such as, taking Joseph a present, and confessing their sins to Joseph’s servant rather than to Joseph himself. This mistake has been made by lost sinners throughout the history of the church. God works in the life of the sinner to bring him to the end of himself, and to God Himself, but many seek to win their salvation by what they bring to God, or by confessing their sin to a man rather than to God Himself. Or, likeJudah, by making some sort of sacrifice. Salvation would be graciously offered to Joseph’s brothers upon simple confession and repentance. Likewise, salvation in Christ is graciously offered to sinful men upon simple confession and repentance (Rom.10:9-13; Acts17:30).
Notice in 45:13, Joseph, the incredible type of Christ, tells his brothers, “… tell my Father of all my glory.” John13:31teaches those of us who are Christ’s brothers (Heb.2:11), that God is glorified as we glorify His Son! Tell the Father today of all of Christ’s glory!
Philippians 2:9-11 says, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
Through JOSEPH’S DEALINGS WITH HIS BROTHERS – Gen. 45:4-15 (Heb.2:11; Rom. 5:8)
Through JOSEPH’S SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE AFFAIRS OF LIFE – Gen. 45:5-8 (Eph.1:17, 20-22)