Return to Egypt

Genesis 43:1-44:34
WOW! Talk about a cliff hanger. This is surely developing to keep our attention. I am breathless waiting to read what happens.

Today we do find that the food is running low in Israel's household, and the brother's are instructed to go and buy food. But we remember from yesterday that they can not unless they go to Egypt and bring the dear one to Israel's heart; his youngest son Benjamin. We see that Judah pledges his own life for that of Benjamin, as Reuben did yesterday. Why Judah? Why not leave the pledge to Reuben? Maybe Judah too is recognizing the guilt he carries, or the responsibility for his impetuous actions when they were all younger and thought to destroy their own brother. They do not confess to their father though. How could you admit such a horrible thing?

Poor Israel who says "If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved." He does say it after praying that God Almighty grant them a successful journey and send back his children to him; but still he is heart-sick.

Now things get interesting, they unfold before us slowly, and we can see opportunities at every turn to fail in answering correctly out of fear of what the answer might mean, and yet they persevere. They go with trembling to Joseph's house and things seem initially to go better for them, but there is still this uncertainty; they can not know the answer. Verse 28 says they prostrated themselves... Do we get that sense of deja vu when they all bow down before him?

Chapter 44 says Joseph tests his brothers. Is he waiting yet to see if they are indeed remorseful for their past actions, everything they do and say seems to indicate they are.

Now Joseph is indeed testing, and we are left with the question today: will Joseph accept Judah's substitution? Is it acceptable that one life be forfeit in place of another? Will Joseph show unwarranted grace and forgiveness toward his brothers and leave them go, or will he reveal himself to them and in joy be reunited? Will they in their guilt be able to accept this gift of grace? We don't know the answer today, but we can see that this guilt is a barrier between them and between them and God.

How is it that an Egyptian was able to recognize that the return of the money was a gift of their God, and they do not? This guilt weighs heavily upon them and keeps them from seeing God in their midst. And it keeps them from opening a conversation with the Lord.

I pray that I do not let unconfessed sin stand as a barrier between me and the Lord.
See you tomorrow
-maggie