Genesis 44 - 47

Reconciliation, Restoration, Preservation

Joseph continues to test his brothers and puts them through conditions guaranteed to discern whether or not they have changed.  He has his servants plant his silver cup in Benjamin's grain sack and then entraps the brothers accusing them of thievery to see if they would revert to self-preservation.  Would they sacrifice Benjamin or hold true to the promise they made to their father?

In one of the most impassioned pleas of intercession in all of scripture, Judah pleads with Joseph to preserve Benjamin's life and allow his brothers to return him to the ailing Jacob. I found chapter 44 moving and evocative of the spirit of Christ. Judah is willing to sacrifice his life for his younger brother and passes the final test of Joseph.

Joseph dismisses his servants and reveals himself to his brothers.  His statement in 45:5 sums up his actions: "It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives."  There is not a trace of bitterness or blame in Joseph.  He realized (because of the dreams of his youth?) that God was in it all.  To Joseph, it was over.

His attitude carries over to his instructions to his brothers when they are sent back to Jacob.  So Joseph sent his brothers off, and as they left, he called after them. "Don't quarrel about all this along the way."  It was over for him, he wanted no revenge and he did not want them to think about it ever again.  This is a perfect example of the grace of God and justification.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.