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26 When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground. 27 And he inquired about their welfare and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” 28 They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves. 29 And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!” 30 Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there. 31 Then he washed his face and came out. And controlling himself he said, “Serve the food.”
(Genesis 43:26-31 ESV)

The brothers brought the gift they had with them into the house when Joseph arrived and they bowed to him. He asked about there welfare, and whether their father was well and alive. They told him their father was alive. Joseph looked and say Benjamin with them and asked if he was the brother that had spoken of previously. Then Joseph left for his love for his brother grew and he needed to weep. When he had washed his face he came and commanded the food be served.

Should you be in a situation where you have done all you have been asked to do and are shown to have pleased the person you have been dealing with, may you be treated as well as the brothers in this story were treated by Joseph.

Heavenly Father, It was by your grace that Joseph’s brothers came to the land of Egypt to by provisions when there was famine in their homeland. It was also by your grace that Joseph had been sold to go there before them that when they came he would be reunited with them and give them the provisions they needed. May in or time Your grace provide for us as it did for Joseph’s brothers. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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19 So they went up to the steward of Joseph’s house and spoke with him at the door of the house, 20 and said, “Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food. 21 And when we came to the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it again with us, 22 and we have brought other money down with us to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.” 23 He replied, “Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. 24 And when the man had brought the men into Joseph’s house and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder, 25 they prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.
(Genesis 43:19-25 ESV)

The brothers went to the steward of Joseph’s house and spoke with him at the entrance. They told him they had come to buy food the first time when we went to our lodging we found our money in our sacks in full weight. They said that they had brought it again and have brought more to buy food. They said they had no idea who had replaced their money. The steward replied that it was their God and the God of their fathers that had put the money in their sacks. He then brought Simeon out to them. When they had been brought into Joseph’s and given water, and they washed their feet. Their donkeys were given fodder and they prepared their present, for they were told they were to eat at noon.

Are we willing when in a strange town and unsure of our reception to bring gifts to those we are going to see that we might be looked upon with favor? That is one way to smooth what could be a very contentious situation and bring it to a peaceful end that benefits all parties.

Heavenly Father, When we are going into what could be a difficult situation in a strange town may we stop to seek your wisdom that we might be looked upon with favor and may all who are involved be benefited by our presence. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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15 So the men took this present, and they took double the money with them, and Benjamin. They arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.

16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.” 17 The man did as Joseph told him and brought the men to Joseph’s house. 18 And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph’s house, and they said, “It is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys.”
(Genesis 43:15-18 ESV)

The men took the present, double the money and Benjamin and went to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. Joseph saw Benjamin with them and told his servant to bring them to his house for they were to dine with him at noon. His servant did so. The men became afraid because they thought that Joseph would assault them because of the money that was returned to their sacks. They thought he would make them his servants and seize their donkeys.

In our lives, we may have been in a situation similar to Israel’s sons and like them, we may have feared that something difficult would be required of us. If we know God we know that the situation is being worked out for our benefit and that we can depend on God’s favor to bring us through.

Heavenly Father, When we are in a difficult situation and are fearful of the outcome send your Spirit to us to remind us that You are with us and will see us through in the way that is best for us. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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11 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry a present down to the man, a little balm and a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. 12 Take double the money with you. Carry back with you the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight. 13 Take also your brother, and arise, go again to the man. 14 May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”
(Genesis 43:11-14 ESV)

Israel told his sons to go back to the man in Egypt and to take with them a present. It should be a little balm, some honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. Also, they were to take double the money they had taken before to replace what they had returned with. They were to take their brother with them and go to see the man. He prayed that God the Almighty would give them mercy with the man and that he would send back their other brother and Benjamin. Israel said if he were bereaved of his children he would be bereaved.

In our lives when we are in a sticky situation do we call on God Almighty to give us mercy and favor with the person with whom we have a problem, or do we try to totally rely on our own wisdom and understanding? If we do call on God we will many times find that the situation works itself out in a way that both benefits us and the other person with whom we are dealing.

Heavenly Father, As we move through our lives may we remember to call on You in both the good and the bad situations that we will have Your wisdom to move forward and resolve those situations that are difficult and be blessed in the situations that are prospering us. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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6 Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly as to tell the man that you had another brother?” 7 They replied, “The man questioned us carefully about ourselves and our kindred, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ What we told him was in answer to these questions. Could we in any way know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?” 8 And Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. 9 I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. 10 If we had not delayed, we would now have returned twice.”
(Genesis 43:6-10 ESV)

Israel asked why the brothers told about the one left behind. They said they were questioned carefully by the man about themselves and their kin. He asked them if their father was alive and if they had another brother? The gave him the answers to his questions. They asked how could they know he would require them to bring their brother with them when next they came? Then Judah said tho Israel, “Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him.” I will bear the blame forever if I do not bring him back to you. We would have returned if we had not delayed.

When you make a pledge to do something it is best that you completely carry it out, for, if you do not you will bear a burden of shame forever. I suggest that you be certain that you can fulfill the pledge that you make. If you cannot then it is better that you do not make the pledge. Ask the Lord for wisdom when you are in a position where you may be asked to make a pledge.

Heavenly Father, In this life there are times when we need to be very careful about what we say we will do, and in those times may we come to you asking for wisdom about what may be needed to be done. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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1 Now the famine was severe in the land. 2 And when they had eaten the grain that they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go again, buy us a little food.” 3 But Judah said to him, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. 5 But if you will not send him, we will not go down, for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’”
(Genesis 42:1-5 ESV)

There is still famine in the land and they had eaten the grain they had purchased in Egypt. Jacob asked his sons to go back to Egypt to buy more grain. They reminded him that the man in Egypt required that they bring their brother with them or they would not see the man’s face. They said they would go if their brother was with them but they would not go if he was not. For they were told that if their brother was not with them they would not see the man’s face.

Have you been in a situation where you were required to something to bring favor to your self, and told if you were not able to do it you would not be able to move forward? If so, were you able to fulfill the requirement? These types of things when they occur in our lives remind us that the only way to go forward is to seek the wisdom of God and to do what we determine is His will in the situation. When we do this we move ahead and we learn to more fully trust in the leading of the Spirit of God in our lives.

Heavenly Father, There are times and seasons in our lives where the only way we can grow and move forward is to fully trust in the leading You provide to us through Your Holy Spirit. May we learn to listen to the still small voice within that gives us wisdom and discernment as we move through the various situations in our lives. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
(Psalm 107:1 ESV)

It is the day dedicated to thanksgiving in the United States. As such, I thought it would be good for all to stop and reflect on all of the things for which we are thankful. I am thankful that I live in a nation where I can speak freely and worship freely without fear. I am thankful for friends and family. I am thankful that healthy food is easily obtained and that there is good public transportation. I am especially thankful that I serve a God who cares for and loves me like no other and who will accept me on the last day.

Heavenly Father, Giving thanks to you for all of Your loving goodness and kindness to me seems to be inadequate, yet there is not much more that I could do to bring honor and glory to Your name.  I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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35 As they emptied their sacks, behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack. And when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were afraid. 36 And Jacob their father said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin. All this has come against me.” 37 Then Reuben said to his father, “Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.” 38 But he said, “My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is the only one left. If harm should happen to him on the journey that you are to make, you would bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.”
(Genesis 42:35-38 ESV)

Here is a conundrum for you. The brothers went to Egypt to buy grain as there was a Famine in Canaan. When they returned they found their money in their baggage it had been returned to them. This caused them and Jacob to be afraid. Jacob was so afraid that he would not allow Benjamin to go to Egypt as he said Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more. Reuben told his father he would make sure that Benjamin would return safely or he could kill his two sons. But Jacob, even with that assurance, would not allow the youngest to go down to Egypt.

In our lives, we seldom have a problem of this magnitude, but if we are followers of the Lord when we do have a difficult situation to deal with we can depend on him to supply us with the wisdom we need and with the knowledge that will help us to move beyond the problem.

Heavenly Father, There are many times when we live our lives that we will desire to come to You for wisdom and understanding. May we seek Your wisdom and carry it out as we come to understand what You are telling us. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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29 When they came to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them, saying, 30 “The man, the lord of the land, spoke roughly to us and took us to be spies of the land. 31 But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we have never been spies. 32 We are twelve brothers, sons of our father. One is no more, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.’ 33 Then the man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I shall know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the famine of your households, and go your way. 34 Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I shall know that you are not spies but honest men, and I will deliver your brother to you, and you shall trade in the land.’”
(Genesis 42:29-34 ESV)

The brothers came home to Jacob and they told him everything that had happened to them. They said that the Egyptian lord had spoken roughly to them and called them spies. They told him they were not spies but brothers and honest men and had never been spies. They told him about their youngest brother who had been left behind and one who they believed to be no more. The lord of the land then required that they were to leave one brother behind and to return with their youngest brother and in that way they would prove themselves to be honest men. He said he would return their brother and allow them to trade in the land.

If you have ever been falsely accused you can easily relate to the anxiety the brothers felt when they were required to leave their brother behind and to return with their youngest brother. The youngest was their father Jacob’s pride and joy. If you were given a similar command by someone in authority to prove your innocence you would probably feel a great deal of anxiety and wonder if you will be able to provide the proof you were asked. It is well to remember in times like this that the Lord God of the universe is with you and He will provide all that you need for your proof.

Heavenly Father, When we are falsely accused we often feel a great deal of anxiety and we can easily forget the You are our helper in times of need. May we come to know so strongly that you are with us that we will have no fear in any desperate situation. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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24 Then he turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes. 25 And Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, and to replace every man’s money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. This was done for them.

26 Then they loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed. 27 And as one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder at the lodging place, he saw his money in the mouth of his sack. 28 He said to his brothers, “My money has been put back; here it is in the mouth of my sack!” At this their hearts failed them, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, “What is this that God has done to us?”
(Genesis 42:24-28 ESV)

Here it is seen that Joseph has feelings for his brothers, but he cannot allow them to see how he feels yet. He still spoke harshly to them and he bound Simeon in front of them. He then gave his servants orders to provide grain and to replace each man’s money in his sack. This was done for them.

They loaded their donkeys with the grain and set off. When they arrived at the logging place one of the brothers opened his sack to give fodder to his donkey and found that his money was in the sack. He told his brothers of this and their hearts failed them, and they turned to each other and questioned what God had done to them.

There are times in our lives when we can feel similarly wondering what God is doing. This is especially true when everything in our lives seems to be going amiss. We cry out to God asking when will You move and may not get any sense of an answer. But, God is still there working to make us more like his won that we will bring glory to Him through our lives.

Heavenly Father, Often there are times in our lives when it seems that nothing is going right and that there does not seem to be any forward movement. We feel we are in a desert that is endless and can see no end in sight. Help us to understand that even though it appears that You are not moving, Your love and mercy are with us working events out for our betterment and Your glory. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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