Genesis Chapter 44

GENESIS

 CHAPTER

 44

1. Then he commanded the steward of his house,  "Fill the men's sacks with food as much as they can carry, and put each man's money in the top of his sack. 2 Put my cup, the silver cup, in the top of the sack of the youngest, with his money for the grain." And he did as Joseph told him.

(Genesis chapter 44 verse 1)

It seems that Joseph was still putting his brothers to the test. This time the trial was aimed at a crucial point, which was the weakness of the family, that would cause the family much sorrow, but on the other hand would also be the turning point of God's plan for our salvation. God permits us to endure many trials, in order to see if we are still faithful in our commitment of love towards, Him and our fellow persons. At times the trials, are strong enough to shake the foundations of our lives. However after, each one of God's trials and tribulations, God showers us with His grace that is manifested by times of consolation. It is good to keep in mind that God does not permit us to endure more than we are able to suffer. Moreover, He gives us that extra power boost in order to carry our crosses up mount Calvary where at the end of our lives, we give back our souls to him.

3. As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away with their donkeys. 4 When they had gone only a short distance from the city, Joseph said to his steward, "Go, follow after the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, 'Why have you returned evil for good? Why have you stolen my silver cup? 5 Is it not from this that my lord drinks? Does he not indeed use it for divination? You have done wrong in doing this.'"

(Genesis chapter 44 verses 3 to 5)

The question with which Joseph's brothers were confronted is very interesting. Why are we being unfaithful to God, when He has shown us nothing but kindness and love? This is something that I cannot understand. We share our respect to others and even praise their inventions and or discoveries but where God is concerned, there are some who have nothing but criticism and irony.


6. When he overtook them, he repeated these words to them. 7 They said to him. "Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants that they should do such a thing! 8 Look, the money that we found at the top of our sacks we brought back to you from the land of Canaan; why then would we steal silver or gold from your lord's house? 9 Should it be found with any one of your servants, let him die; moreover the rest of us will become my lord's slaves."

(Genesis chapter 44 verses 6 to 9)


At times as in the case of Joseph's brothers we may take decisions that place in danger the lives or physical or spiritual well being of other people without  intention or at times even intentionally. We are to be very careful in our judgement and decision making and do so while being enlightened by the Word of God.


10. He said, "Even so; in accordance with your words, let it be: he with whom it is found shall become my slave, but the rest of you shall go free." 11. Then each one quickly lowered his sack to the ground, and each opened his sack. 12. He searched beginning  with the eldest and ending with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

(Genesis chapter 44 verses 10 to 12)


On reflecting verses 10 to 12 remind me of our judgement day or when we die and appear before Jesus. We all would have with us our sacks full of good deeds and even our misgivings or sins, I sincerely hope that our good deeds starting from mine for I am also a great sinner will outweigh our sins, and that we may find mercy in the presence of God.


13. At this they tore their clothes. Then each one loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city.

(Genesis chapter 44 verse 13)


In order to  express their deepest feelings of sorrow, knowing well the consequences this event would have on their father who was already heart broken in relation to the loss of Joseph the brothers tore their clothes. Many people express their feelings of sorrow by different ways, some of which are constructive leading them to God in a humble attitude of prayer and hope in God, and others by means of destructive ways, such as abuse of alcohol, and other forms of abuse and acts of  aggression leading them away from God and their loved ones and others in their circles.



14. Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house while he was still there; and they fell to the ground before him. 15 Joseph said to them, "What deed is this that you have done? Do you not know that one such as I can practise divination?" 16. And Judah said, "What can we say to my lord? What can we speak? How can we clear ourselves? God has found out the guilt of your servants; here we are then, my lord's slaves, both we and also the one in whose possession the cup has been found."

(Genesis chapter 44 verses 14 to 16)


When confronted in such a manner Joseph's brother's have nothing to say. They found themselves facing one of the greatest dilemmas of their lives, which caused them to accept the blame for something that they knew they were innocent of. The brothers could not have their say or else they risked ending up in prison forever. There are situations in life when we have only God to intercede on our behalf and there is nobody else to save us. When I complied the first thirty-eight chapters of the book of Genesis I was accused by an unknown source of plagiarism. Although I was sure that I was innocent on receiving an email stating my accusation and my position before the laws of America, I was afraid of the consequences that I might experience and deleted all the chapters that was the work of more than a year. After consulting my friend through whom God mad e Himself heard I was motivated to start all over again using a different approach. On reflecting this approach is far better than my original analysis of the Bible because in that version I was citing facts and evidence that were publicly shared, however on reflecting it was not my prayer to God. Therefore I thank God for that episode in my life because if God had not intervened I would have not been able to share with you my prayers on the Word of God as was my original aim on compiling this 'Analysis of the Bible'.


17. But he said, "Far be it from me that I should do so! Only the one in whose possession the cup was found shall be my slave; but as for you, go up in peace to your father."

(Genesis chapter 44 verse 17)


On reflecting Joseph may seem to have been rather cruel by putting so much pressure on his brothers. However it is a fact that Joseph may also have been feeling such pressure, and therefore he was projecting it on his brothers with the intention of getting a sincere apology from them for all the harm that they had caused him to experience. Methodically Joseph was treading on a course leading to the outcome of his desire which although is not that obvious has a positive end.



18. Then Judah stepped up to him and said, "O my lord, let your servant please speak a word in my lord's ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are like Pharaoh himself. 19 My lord asked his servants, saying, 'Have you a father or a brother?' 20 And we said to my lord, 'We have a father, an old man, and a young brother, the child of his old age. His brother is dead; he alone is left of his mother's children and his father loves him.'

(Genesis chapter 44 verses 18 to 20)


For some reason Judah felt confident enough to stand up to Joseph and give the following testimony of the truth that leads us to the end of this chapter. When it is our time to appear before God we will also be asked to give our version of our life along with our strengths and good deeds and also our misgivings or sins.


21. Then you said to your servants, 'Bring him down to me, so that I may set my eyes on him'. 22 We said to my lord, "The boy cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.' 23 Then you said to your servants, ' Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more.' 24. When we went back to your servant my father we told him the words of my lord. 25 And when our father said, 'Go again buy us a little food,' 26 we said, 'We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother goes with us, will we go down; for we cannot see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.' 27 Then your servant my father said to us, 'You know that my wife bore me two sons; 28 one left me, and I said, surely he has been torn to pieces; and I have never seen him since. 29 If you take this one also from me, and harm comes to him, you will bring down my gray hairs in sorrow to Sheol.'

(Genesis chapter 44 verses 21 to 29)


When filtering verses 21 to 29  we can infer that the central theme is that of obedience. The brothers obeyed every order that was given to them but the situation along with their obedience to his last wish was going to have negative consequences on the well being of their father, when her realises that they have come home without their youngest brother, whom he greatly loved. There is an expression that says love until it hurts. Love in God's language means obedience to His holy will, even if this requires us to go against our own selves.


30. Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father and the boy is not with us, then as his life is bound up in the boy's life, 31 when he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die; and your servant our father with sorrow. 32 For your servant became surety for the boy to my father, saying, 'If I do not bring him back to you, then I will bear the blame in the sight of my father all my life. 33 Now please, let your servant remain a slave to my lord in place of the boy, and let the boy go back with his brothers. 34 For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the suffering that would come upon my father.

(Genesis chapter 44 verses 30 to 34)



I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:

Oh sweet God I would like to thank You for the moments of tribulations and trials that You permit me to endure in order to continue the process of my spiritual formation and growth on many levels. Please help me to obey your will during such moments and help me not to be stubborn and obey myself but to keep my focus on you.

Thank You God