When some people read Genesis 42-45 what they see is Joseph having some fun with his brothers in a sort of revenge, or pay back for what they had done to him as a boy. He could appear capricious and arrogant – flaunting his authority to inflict pain on his brothers.
In fact, Joseph is trying to find out if his brothers have faced up to what they had done and were now different people. It brings to mind the concept of repentance and restoration. In order for our relationship with God, which was broken by our sin, to be restored – we must repent.
What we see in these four chapters is Joseph’s attempts not only to find out whether or not repentance has happened, but its depth and whether the repentance has had an impact on their character.
And we will ask some questions of ourselves as God probes our lives to see just how much we have repented as well.
Joseph’s main aim is to find out if the brothers have reformed
Chapter 42 Verses 1 – 20
Did the brothers accuse him of being a spy for Jacob?
“One is no more” – verse 13 – they can’t bring themselves to admit it yet what exactly they did to Joseph – but it’s coming.
Simeon is kept – perhaps the most likely to be abandoned – Joseph wants to know if they are still the same character – abandoning a brother and leaving him like they left him.
Why bring Benjamin back? To determine if they have treated him like they treated Joseph
Verses 21 – 24
The brothers have clearly not forgotten what they did – but have been plagued by guilt
Verses 25 – Chapter 43, Verse 14
Reuben’s efforts continually fail while Judah’s are accomplished – perhaps to show Judah’s leadership.
Verse 15 – 34
Joseph keeps them off balance with the feast
Joseph is wondering if by treating Benjamin preferentially that the brothers will react with the same jealously they had when Joseph was preferred by Jacob
Chapter 44 Verse 1 – 13
The brothers show they are changed by their attitudes towards Jacob but also when the cup is found in Benjamin’s sack
Joseph is using the cup for divination – but not by oil or water – but by seeing how the brothers respond to its presence in Benjamin’s sack
One last test when Joseph gives them the excuse to abandon Benjamin
Verses 14 – 34
Judah is very much a changed man – willing to suffer in order that others might be free
Chapter 45, Verses 1 – 24
“Quarrelling” (45:24) is most likely meant “getting all worked up” – perhaps the boys worried that Joseph would change his mind and send an army after them.
Verses 25 – 28
“He was stunned” verse 26 – NEV says “heart became numb” – wouldn’t yours?
Conclusions
The effects of guilt and grief on the human soul after 22 years
Fatalism (Jacob) “I can never be free”
Fear (the brothers thought everything was punishment) “I can’t break free”
Fatigue and a Troubled soul (think of all the heartache that could have been avoided) “God doesn’t love me enough to set me free”
“Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num 32:33)
Galatians 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked : for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. KJV
But: Romans 5:8 “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
What is true repentance?
2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
There are three types of repentance:
1. Getting busted
2. Being sorry but not changing your actions
3. Or realizing you are going the wrong way and turning around – that’s true repentance.
God won’t work with someone who will not repent
How deeply will you let God test your repentance?
Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. KJV
Do you want to simply get absolution for your sins – like having the judge tear up the speeding ticket when you know full well you are going to go right back out and break that limit?
Or are you really sorry but say you just can’t help what you do?
Or do you really want God to search into your motivations and help you reflect on why you really do what you do and then set your mind and heart to let the power of His Spirit really work at ridding you of the problem.
1 John 1:8-9 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
How often to do we doubt that God’s grace can REALLY forgive us?
Do we look over our shoulders for God’s army to come after us? We need to rest in His love and forgiveness.
Psalms 103:8-12 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Jacob thought everything was against him when in reality everything was for him.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
Romans 8:31 If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Let God search you – let him search deeply – let Him cleanse – then purify – then give you assurance of forgiveness and that He’s got your life and your future in His capable hands.
