Gen 44:1 Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house….
It feels very much like Joseph is playing cat and mouse with his brothers, torturing them to exact retribution for all that he endured because of their treatment of him. That thought has certainly been rolling around in the back of my head for the past several chapters. But today’s commentary urges me to remember the character of Joseph—Joseph, who knows that God is in control. Joseph, who has humbly served God throughout his time in Egypt, despite false accusations, unfair imprisonments, and forgotten promises. Joseph has been humble and faithful from the beginning. Why would he turn to revenge now?
Gen 44:2 “Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack….”
Lord, Your ways are not our ways, and Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). Forgive us when we apply faulty human logic to things we don’t understand. When we see people acting in ways that don’t make sense, help us to remember to look to their character and to lean on You for wisdom and guidance.
Gen 44:4 …”Go after those men at once… say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil?’”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that things are not always as they appear. Help us to remember that “The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them, people judge by outward appearances, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). Help us to trust You. Draw us closer. Amen.
Gen 44:14 Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in….
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.