BULLETIN ARTICLE
17 November 2019
TRUST IN THE LORD
The story of Joseph and his brothers continues in Genesis with much excitement and heart stopping moments – for the brothers. The Governor of all Egypt, Joseph had devised a plan to test his 10 brothers who had come from Canaan to Egypt in search of grain. He had held them in custody for 3 days, then allowed all but his brother Simeon to go back. His aim was to get his brothers to bring back his youngest brother Benjamin who he very much wanted to see. Additionally, Joseph planted silver into their sacks, which potentially incriminated them of theft. This plan had caused his brothers to realise their guilt and also gave their father Jacob much grief as he feared to lose both Simeon and Benjamin.
Not before long, the grain had again run out in Jacob’s household and he had no choice but to instruct his sons to go back to Egypt to seek for more grain. The brothers knew they could only do so if they brought Benjamin with them as per Joseph’s requirement. This greatly distressed Jacob as he lamented the fact that the Egyptian Governor had known about his youngest son Benjamin. You can sense the tension in the air in Jacob’s family as they faced this huge predicament. Remain in Canaan and run out of grain or risk Benjamin’s life and head down to Egypt to get grain. As Judah pledged to keep Benjamin safe, Jacob with much agony and lamenting finally relented. He instructed his sons to bring presents, along with the silver that was planted in their bags, hoping that God will show mercy and bring everyone back safely. He resigned himself to God’s will whether good or bad, stating: “If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved”.
Imagine the anxiety Joseph’s brothers had as they made the dreaded journey back to Egypt. There was no other way for they had no other choice. As they arrived, they immediately attempted to clear their name with much fear that Joseph was going to enslave them for they were potentially foreign spies. That was their last shot. Would this “foreign” Egyptian Governor angrily punish them as he had previously done? Would he also harm their youngest brother Benjamin? What a huge sigh of relief they breathed when the steward assured them not to be afraid and that they will not be held responsible for all their fears. Instead, the steward released their brother Simeon to them and gave them water as refreshments. Then Joseph enters and inquired about their aged father. He also saw his beloved youngest brother, Benjamin, after an absence of 13 long painful years. He couldn’t help but wept privately with much compassion. He composed himself and welcomed them all, serving them food, giving Benjamin 5 times the normal portion!
What an amazing ending after much trepidation of what harm would befall them. What grace and mercy was shown by Joseph to the very ones who did such evil against him. What mercy was shown by God to Jacob’s family, despite their sins, preserving them through the very one whom they harmed in the first place. The brothers could only look at each other in amazement at all that was happening to them. We ourselves have received the mercy of God – “once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:10) shown in the transformation given to us in the gospel of Jesus Christ and also daily in our lives. Let’s take a step back, take a breather, and reflect on the grace and mercy of God, and we too will look at each other in amazement at all that God has done for us and is doing in our lives.
