Genesis 43:16-46:34
[Joseph’s steward] replied, “Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you…”
Genesis 43:23
This line, spoken by an Egyptian, expresses far more truth than he yet knows — indeed more truth than the brothers yet know!
Joseph, however, is not yet ready for full reconciliation with his brothers. He has a further test for them. First, he shows extraordinary favoritism toward Benjamin, heaping upon him five times more feasting than the others. This action presses in on the brothers’ weak spot, the very jealousy that pushed them to mistreat Joseph.
He then sends them on their way, again surreptitiously returning their money and additionally planting his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack, and the trap is set. Having baited the brothers by the favor shown to Benjamin, he now marks Benjamin as a target. The brothers are thus primed to sell him out, at which point Joseph can rescue Benjamin from any further abuse. But they don’t give up Benjamin to save themselves. They return to Joseph, and Judah holds true to his pledge, offering himself in exchange for Benjamin.
The brothers thus pass the test, and Joseph finally reveals himself to them and embraces them in an astounding display of forgiveness and reconciliation. He tells his brothers:
And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life… So it was not you who sent me here, but God…
Genesis 45:5,7,8
That is a tremendous expression of faith in a sovereign God. Joseph lets go of resentment toward his brothers for his enslavement and instead chooses to see God’s hand of provision. Joseph realizes that God is in control and has been in control all along, and that allows him to forgive his brothers.
So what about us? We all face pain and suffering of one kind or another. We’re all mistreated by someone: family or “friends”, coworkers or colleagues, or outright enemies. The pain may be mild or severe, even devastating. But in all of it, can we, like Joseph, choose to see God at work?
Nothing can happen to me that God doesn’t want. And all that He wants, no matter how bad it may appear to us, is really for the best.
St. Thomas More
Ponder that today. Look for any unforgiveness in your heart, any lingering resentment you may harbor, and offer it all up to our sovereign — and loving — God.
Very interesting John. Actually, I had always thought that Joseph intended to stick it to his brothers for dumping him in the well and selling him, and then bring Benjamin back to live with him in Egypt. I had never thought of it as a clever test.