BULLETIN ARTICLE
10 November 2019
GOD’S GRACE
When the 7 years of famine began to impact the people in Canaan, Jacob instructed his 10 sons (except Benjamin) to go down to Egypt to buy grain. Being foreigners to Egypt they had to meet up with Egypt’s Governor Joseph who immediately recognised his brothers who had betrayed him 13 years ago. However, his brothers did not recognise him. Joseph took this opportunity to speak with them harshly as foreigners claiming that they came to Egypt to spy. He then carried out an elaborate ploy, accusing them of being spies and placing them in custody for 3 days. After that, he compromised with them and allowed all the brothers (except Simeon) to go back to Canaan, ordering them to bring their youngest brother back when they next visit Egypt to redeem Simeon. Additionally, Joseph filled their bags with grain and replace their sacks with money, causing them to panic as this incriminated them with the act of taking grain without paying anything for them.
Joseph’s intentions in orchestrating this elaborate ploy is unknown but here is what was likely. Joseph was wary of his brothers and wanted to test them to determine if they were of any danger to him. After all, they were the ones who had conspired to kill him, throwing him in a pit, before deciding to sell him to the Ishmaelite who had passed by. They also deceived their father claiming that Joseph was dead. He wanted to test them and understand if they had changed or if they were still malicious and murderous. This proves to be a smart ploy as it caused them to tremble in fear, recalling with much guilt what they had done to Joseph. This also resulted in them coming before Joseph, the Governor of Egypt, as weakened, afraid and humbled men who only desired food for their family back in Canaan.
This test from Joseph caused the brothers to realise their guilt. They knew “in truth we are guilty concerning our brother” and they saw this as God’s judgment for what they did. While it was unclear if the brothers truly repented and sought forgiveness from God and Joseph, we can see the grace of God in their lives as God caused them to realise their true guilt. The recognition and acceptance of guilt is a grace from God before repentance takes place. 2 Cor 7:10 speaks of “a godly grief which produces repentance leading to salvation” while “worldly grief produces death”. This godly grief leads to an eagerness to clear oneself. How has God led you to realise your sin and guilt in various areas in your life? Have you responded with godly grief or worldly grief? You must recognise that godly grief is a grace of God and turn to God for “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Repent with an eagerness to turn from that sin and walk in his ways.
