BULLETIN ARTICLE
24 November 2019
GOD IN FULL CONTROL
The story of Egypt’s Governor Joseph and his brothers visiting Egypt continues in the narrative in Genesis with much drama and excitement. Joseph’s brothers who had come to Egypt to buy grain (famine in Canaan) were now dining with the Governor Joseph. After the brothers had dined, Joseph commanded the steward to fill their sacks up with food and silver. At the same time, he also instructed the steward to plant his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. This is intended to incriminate him of theft when there was inspection of what Benjamin had. This is presumably to give a reason to retain Benjamin in Egypt, likely in a bid to get the brothers to bring Joseph’s father Jacob down to Egypt. Joseph then instructed his steward to confront them on this theft. The brothers were adamant that they did not do such things. They confidently stated: “If any of your servants is found to have it, he will die; and the rest of us will become my lord’s slaves.” They did not know that Joseph was in full control and had fixed them with a crime. When they realised the silver cup was in Benjamin’s sack, they knew they were in deep trouble, tearing their clothes in mourning.
Upon returning to face Joseph, the brothers offer to stay and become his servants. Joseph decline that, stating that only Benjamin, the thief of Joseph’s silver cup, need to become a servant. Judah stepped up to plead for Benjamin for he had assured his father about Benjamin’s safety. He recounted the story of coming to Egypt for the first time and then returning to get their youngest brother and how much that grieved his father who feared for Benjamin’s life. If they were to return to Canaan without Benjamin, his father will be devastated to the point of death. Judah intercedes for Benjamin, asking Joseph to allow him to bear responsibility and take Benjamin’s place. We can see the parallel with Jesus Christ, who is sitting at the right hand of God interceding for us. We face a dire situation that is graver than this – we are destined for eternal destruction as enemies of God and, unlike Benjamin, we are correctly found guilty of sin. But Jesus took our place, and made the great exchange. Our hearts must be filled with thankfulness to Jesus who took our place, just as Judah sought to take Benjamin’s place.
The narrative continues with Joseph being unable to hold back his guise any longer. He instructed all but the brothers to leave and made himself known to the brothers, asking if his father Jacob was alive. The brothers were dismayed with this unaccepted revelation that Joseph made fearing he will deal with them harshly for the evil they did against him. Instead, Joseph assured them that despite the evil they did against him, God was in full control and everything will turn out for good. God used what they did to Joseph to preserve the lives of the Israelites through this 26-year journey and ultimately Joseph is submissive and appreciative of God’s sovereign will and control in all this. He assured his brothers that their needs would be provided for in Egypt in the remaining 5 years of famine. Joseph was able to see God’s sovereign will working out in his life and that was enough for him. Amidst the evil, suffering, or injustice we face in our lives, we must still believe that God is in charge, in full control, and working out his purposes for us. There is nothing that happens in your life that is outside his will and control, his good, pleasing and perfect will. Take heart, walk with him in trust and obedience as Joseph did.
