January 15
Genesis 43–45
Scripture Text: Genesis 43:1–45:28
Series: Read the Bible in a Year
The nine sons are urging reticent Jacob to send Benjamin back to Egypt with them. Two other sons are waiting there: Simeon as prisoner until Benjamin is brought, and Joseph, the "Egyptian" making these demands, though his brothers to not suspect it is he.
Jacob consents and all the brothers return to Joseph in Egypt. They were terrified about the money still being in their sacks that they thought they had paid for the grain. Joseph had evidently paid for their grain and had their money returned — yet he did not tell them it was his gift.
Joseph is reunited with his younger brother, Benjamin, though Benjamin does not yet realize it is his brother. All seems merry until Joseph's test of his brothers. He sends them on their way back to Canaan, with grain in their sacks, their money returned again, and this time, Joseph's silver cup too. Then they were accused of theft by Joseph's steward. The brothers were so sure that none of them would do such a thing that they promised death to whoever had the alleged cup in his bag.
Because of Joseph's trick, the cup was in Benjamin's bag. They are all taken back to the city to appear before Joseph. Now, because of their guilt of selling Jospeh into slavery, they would be slaves in Egypt. It was as thought God had found them out. So, Judah speaks for them, pleading for Benjamin's life because his death would finally break their father's heart. Judah then tries to trade his life for Benjamin's.
At this, Joseph breaks the ruse. He cries and confesses who he is. Instead of upbraiding his brothers for their sin, he say sthat God used them to get him into a position where he could help them and others. He sent Joseph, by their hands, to Egypt where he would decades later preserve Jacob's family. In so doing, he maintained his covenant with Abraham to bless the nations.
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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