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THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
David Spriggs and are based on Genesis 43 and 44
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
Genesis 43 & 44 (in full)
Ch44 12 Then the steward proceeded to search, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. 13 At this, they tore their clothes. Then they all loaded their donkeys and returned to the city.
slaves – we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup.”
14 Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him. 15 Joseph said to them, “What is this you have done? Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?”
17 But Joseph said, “Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace.” 18 Then Judah went up to him and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord, let me speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself...”
16 “What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants’ guilt. We are now my lord’s
33 “Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. 34 How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father.”
Sunday September 21 - Secrets and lies
Then the steward proceeded to search, beginning with the oldest & ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. Genesis 44:12
The other day I listened to a lady’s story. It included bereavement – her husband died at an early age; the struggles she had bringing her two children up, especially the rebellion of teenage years; the time when she had to tell her son to leave home as he was frequently drunk and violent – but how in the end this was the making of him.
Joseph’s story included his attempted murder by his brothers; being sold into slavery in Egypt; his father grieving for Joseph, the favourite son whom he thought was dead; unjust imprisonment following false accusations of attempted rape; and his eventual release and being elevated to second in command over Egypt and responsible for all famine relief.
That’s how Benjamin, his father’s second favourite, ended up accused of stealing Joseph’s cup – his sign of authority. Joseph had set up this apparent theft as he wanted to find out whether his brothers were still as hard-hearted as before. The time would come for restoration and forgiveness, but there was a long journey ahead yet. The evil, pain and grief within his family needed to be acknowledged first.
If there are pain, secrets and lies in your family’s story, Joseph’s story tells us that God can bring good out of the most dire situations.
Lord Jesus, you were rejected by your family and knew the pain of bereavement. We pray that you will bring healing, forgiveness and love back into broken families. Amen.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY