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GENESIS 45 JOSEPH REVEALS HIMSELF TO HIS BROTHERS

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April 2

GENESIS 45

Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. 3 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.4 So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.

                                                                   – Genesis 45:1-5

GENESIS 45 JOSEPH REVEALS HIMSELF TO HIS BROTHERS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When Judah that if Benjamin was captured, their father would die from grief

Joseph could no longer control himself, so he asked all the Egyptians to leave

Then he wept and wailed that even those outside the room could hear him

Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers and appeased them.

He asked them to come near him and not feel bad for selling him to slavery

Joseph explained how God used it to preserve their lives from scarcity

Then he wanted to know more about their father and he asked them

But they were all unable to answer him as they were all still in shock.

This is the ultimate drama in the life of Joseph where he finally revealed himself to his brothers who had no idea who he truly was. It was a shock for the brothers to hear his revelation as they couldn’t wrap their minds around the events that just happened. They thought they were going to be captives and slaves of the Egyptians and cause their father’s death from losing Benjamin. Suddenly, the tide changes and now, their sins were finally exposed by Joseph’s disclosure. They must have felt so much shame from what they have done to plot to kill him first and then sell him to slavery. They must have feared what revenge Joseph might do to them, but Joseph was quick to appease them that God showed him from the start why he was sold into slavery. It was to save them from death.

REFLECTION

  • What must have gone through the brothers’ minds during Joseph’s revelation?

GENESIS 44 JUDAH PLEADS JOSEPH

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March 31

GENESIS 44

14 When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, he was still there. They fell before him to the ground. 15 Joseph said to them, “What deed is this that you have done? Do you not know that a man like me can indeed practice divination?” 16 And Judah said, “What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how can we clear ourselves? God has found out the guilt of your servants; behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we and he also in whose hand the cup has been found.” 17 But he said, “Far be it from me that I should do so! Only the man in whose hand the cup was found shall be my servant. But as for you, go up in peace to your father.”18 Then Judah went up to him and said, “Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not your anger burn against 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, and he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him.’ 21 Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, 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 not see my face again.’ – Genesis 44:14-23

GENESIS 44 JUDAH PLEADS JOSEPH

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Judah comes back from their trip to Canaan and fell before Joseph

He begged Joseph to let go of Benjamin to come back to Canaan

If he doesn’t come back, their father would die for he already lost one son

Judah humbly asks Joseph to consider their father’s condition.

I have no idea why Joseph was keeping the brothers all in suspense and in agony regarding taking Benjamin in his custody. Maybe a part of Joseph’s wounded youth was surfacing in this narrative. As a trauma survivor myself, I at times am taken over by my traumatized parts and do not think straight. If Joseph has forgiven them, I do not understand why he is making them agonize. Why was he testing them and not just telling them who he is instead of keeping them in terror of what might happen to Benjamin?

REFLECTION

  • What have we discovered about Judah and Joseph in this scene?

GENESIS 44 JOSEPH TESTS HIS BROTHERS

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March 30

GENESIS 44

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 mouth of his sack, 2 and put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, with his money for the grain.” And he did as Joseph told him.3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away with their donkeys. 4 They had gone only a short distance from the city. Now Joseph said to his steward, “Up, follow after the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? 5 Is it not from this that my lord drinks, and by this that he practices divination? You have done evil in doing this.’” 6 When he overtook them, he spoke to them these words. 7 They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing! 8 Behold, the money that we found in the mouths of our sacks we brought back to you from the land of Canaan. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? 9 Whichever of your servants is found with it shall die, and we also will be my lord’s servants.” 10 He said, “Let it be as you say: he who is found with it shall be my servant, and the rest of you shall be innocent.” 11 Then each man quickly lowered his sack to the ground, and each man opened his sack. 12 And he searched, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. 13 Then they tore their clothes, and every man loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city. – Genesis 44:1-13

GENESIS 44 JOSEPH TESTS HIS BROTHERS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

After the dinner with Joseph, the brothers left as soon as morning came

But Joseph decided to test his brothers and placed his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack

He wanted to see if they will still speak the truth and find out more about his father

The brothers tore their clothes and each of them returned to the city.

It must have been torture for the brothers especially Judah who made a promise to his father that Benjamin will be returned to him. Now that the silver cup was found in Benjamin’s sack, that promise will not be kept. What was Joseph’s intention keeping them in suspense like this? Was it to find out if their hearts have changed or just to avenge himself?

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think Joseph tested his brothers in this account?

GENESIS 43 JOSEPH’S BROTHERS BOW DOWN TO HIM

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March 29

GENESIS 43

26 When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground. 27 And he inquired about their welfare and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” 28 They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves. 29 And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!” 30 Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there. 31 Then he washed his face and came out. And controlling himself he said, “Serve the food.” 32 They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. 33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth. And the men looked at one another in amazement. 34 Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him. – Genesis 43:26-34

GENESIS 43 JOSEPH’S BROTHERS BOW DOWN TO HIM

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When Joseph arrived at his house to dine with his brothers

They immediately bowed down to Joseph and offered their presents

Then Joseph asked them if their father was still alive

And he also asked about their youngest brother Benjamin

When Joseph was face to face with Benjamin, he was emotional

He left their presence to hide his feelings and wept away from them.

This scene is the fulfilment of Joseph’s dream when he was a young lad. His brothers bowing down to him in that dream actually happened and the brothers had no idea it was their brother Joseph who they were bowing down to up to this point. We witness Joseph’s love for his youngest brother and his forgiving heart to those brothers who did him wrong.

REFLECTION

  • How was Joseph’s dream prophetic and why can he easily forgive his brothers?

GENESIS 43 TREPIDATIONS BEFORE MEAL WITH JOSEPH

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March 28

GENESIS 43

19 So they went up to the steward of Joseph’s house and spoke with him at the door of the house, 20 and said, “Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food. 21 And when we came to the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it again with us, 22 and we have brought other money down with us to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.” 23 He replied, “Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. 24 And when the man had brought the men into Joseph’s house and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder, 25 they prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.

                                                                   – Genesis 43:19-25

GENESIS 43 TREPIDATIONS BEFORE MEAL WITH JOSEPH

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When the sons of Jacob arrived back in Egypt, they were full of fear

They had no idea what was going to happen to them there

They confessed to Joseph’s steward of the house about the money

And they were assured not to fear as their payments were received

So, with trepidation, they prepared their presents for Joseph

They had no idea what was in store for them during this dinner.

It is mind blogging for the sons of Jacob to figure out why they were ushered in the house of this ruler of Egypt. He had all the power to make them slaves of Egypt. He can frame them up and accuse them of anything they had not done. Even though the steward reassured them that he got their payment and that it was their God and the God of their father that had put those treasures in their sacks, they still were very anxious.

Fear can debilitate us especially if we are keeping unconfessed sins in our lives as these brothers of Joseph kept over a decade ago. They were crippled and imprisoned by the consequences of those sins.

REFLECTION

  • How does unconfessed sins cripple and imprison the sinner?

GENESIS 43 JACOB’S STRATEGY TO SURVIVE THE FAMINE

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March 26

GENESIS 43

Now the famine was severe in the land. 2 And when they had eaten the grain that they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go again, buy us a little food.” 3 But Judah said to him, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. 5 But if you will not send him, we will not go down, for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’” 6 Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly as to tell the man that you had another brother?” 7 They replied, “The man questioned us carefully about ourselves and our kindred, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ What we told him was in answer to these questions. Could we in any way know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?” 8 And Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. 9 I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. 10 If we had not delayed, we would now have returned twice.”11 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry a present down to the man, a little balm and a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. 12 Take double the money with you. Carry back with you the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight.  – Genesis 43:1-12

GENESIS 43 JACOB’S STRATEGY TO SURVIVE THE FAMINE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When the grain was almost finished, Jacob told his sons to buy more

But Judah reminded his father of Joseph’s order to bring the youngest son

Jacob though of sending presents to Joseph to ensure his sons are back

So, he asked them to bring honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio, almonds and nuts.

If only Jacob knew that the ruler in Egypt was his beloved Joseph, the fear and panic wouldn’t be in their midst. He was fearful to lose Benjamin as he had already lost his beloved Joseph, so he thought of a strategy to be more generous to the ruler so that he could be convinced that they were genuinely good people and not spies.

REFLECTION

  • What trait of Jacob/Israel do we witness in this account?

GENESIS 42 JACOB RESISTS TO LET GO OF BENJAMIN

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March 25

GENESIS 42

35 As they emptied their sacks, behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack. And when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were afraid. 36 And Jacob their father said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin. All this has come against me.” 37 Then Reuben said to his father, “Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.” 38 But he said, “My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is the only one left. If harm should happen to him on the journey that you are to make, you would bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.”  – Genesis 42:35-38

GENESIS 42 JACOB RESISTS TO LET GO OF BENJAMIN

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When Jacob saw the bundles of money given back to his sons

He became so fearful that he will lose his beloved son Benjamin

He couldn’t bear to lose his youngest one after losing Joseph

Reuben dramatically offers his sons to appease his father.

This account is full of fear and high emotions. When Joseph ordered his servants to put bundles of money in their sacks, they had no idea he was their own brother. Imagine the terror and guilt they have felt knowing that God is punishing them for their plot to kill Joseph. They could have confessed at this time that Joseph wasn’t killed by an animal, but sold to slavery. Jacob was so distressed and anxious that Benjamin, the only son he had by Rachel would also be taken away from him. He believed the lie of his sons that Joseph was dead, and now it is unbearable to think of his beloved Benjamin also going to be gone. There was no mention of his concern for Simeon who might be imprisoned.  It apparently showed Jacob’s love for his wife Rachel more than his other wife Leah. Since Joseph and Benjamin were his sons by Rachel, he loved them more than all his other children.

Reuben’s offer to kill his other two sons if he doesn’t bring back Simeon and Benjamin to his father seems off. We witness Reuben’s arrogance to offer the lives of his sons for something he has no control over. He is bargaining for appeasement of his father’s fear and using his son’s lives to do so shows foolish pride.

REFLECTION

  • Why can believing in lies keep us imprisoned in fear and distress

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GENESIS 42 GUILT AND SHAME CONSUME THE BROTHERS

March 24

GENESIS 42

26 Then they loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed. 27 And as one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder at the lodging place, he saw his money in the mouth of his sack. 28 He said to his brothers, “My money has been put back; here it is in the mouth of my sack!” At this their hearts failed them, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, “What is this that God has done to us?”29 When they came to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them, saying, 30 “The man, the lord of the land, spoke roughly to us and took us to be spies of the land. 31 But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we have never been spies. 32 We are twelve brothers, sons of our father. One is no more, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.’ 33 Then the man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I shall know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the famine of your households, and go your way. 34 Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I shall know that you are not spies but honest men, and I will deliver your brother to you, and you shall trade in the land.’– Genesis 42:26-34

GENESIS 42 GUILT AND SHAME CONSUME THE BROTHERS       

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

After Joseph’s brothers were sent to get their youngest brother

They discovered their payment for the grain were returned

They were afraid that God is punishing them for their past sin

Why else could the ruler of Egypt not have taken their money?

They assumed that they won’t be able to convince him they were honest

They were scared how their father would react to such a request by Joseph.

This story is interesting as it shows how guilt and shame can consume humans, especially when they haven’t confessed their sins. They made their father Jacob believe that Joseph was killed by a beast and up to this point, which may have been at least a decade and a half, they still kept those lies intact and hidden. Unless sin is exposed in God’s light, it will stay in the dark and produce more sins. Sins couldn’t be cleansed if we don’t confess and repent of them. It will keep us living in guilt and shame.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it difficult to let go of lies and sins when we have kept it hidden for long?

GENESIS 42 JOSEPH WITNESSES HIS BROTHERS’ REMORSE

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March 23

GENESIS 42

18 On the third day Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: 19 if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined where you are in custody, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households, 20 and bring your youngest brother to me. So your words will be verified, and you shall not die.” And they did so. 21 Then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” 22 And Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.” 23 They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them. 24 Then he turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes. 25 And Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, and to replace every man’s money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. This was done for them.

                                                                   – Genesis 42:18-25

GENESIS 42 JOSEPH WITNESSES HIS BROTHERS’ REMORSE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When Joseph told his brothers to bring their youngest brother to him

He heard them discussing amongst themselves their remorse of their sin

They didn’t know that Joseph understood them as he had an interpreter

So, he held Simeon confined in Egypt un-til they bring back their brother

He also ordered his servants to fill each of their bags with grain

And they were also given provision for their journey back to Canaan.

This is a tearjerker scene that we are given in this account. The brothers recalled how they came up with their plot to kill Joseph in the past and Reuben reminded them that he didn’t want any harm done to Joseph. Without their knowledge, Joseph understood what they were saying and must have been weeping inside as he heard their discussion.

We realize how loving and forgiving Joseph was to these evil brothers who meant so much harm to him when he was a young lad. Only by God’s grace can we forgive those who have sinned against us, otherwise, our sin nature prevails and keeps us bitter and mad.

REFLECTION

  • How do you think Joseph felt when he heard their discussion of their sin?

GENESIS 42 JOSEPH PUTS BROTHERS TO THE TEST

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March 22

GENESIS 42

12 He said to them, “No, it is the nakedness of the land that you have come to see.” 13 And they said, “We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan, and behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is no more.” 14 But Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you. You are spies. 15 By this you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here. 16 Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.” 17 And he put them all together in custody for three days.

                                                                   – Genesis 42:12-17

GENESIS 42 JOSEPH PUTS BROTHERS TO THE TEST

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Joseph questioned their true identities in their coming to Egypt

Because they didn’t recognize him, he wanted it to stay that way

To know that his father and youngest brother were still alive,

He accused them of being spies and prove to him that they weren’t

If they bring the youngest brother to Egypt, they passed the test

It was the only way Joseph could see his only brother by his mother.

We witness again the wisdom of Joseph in this account. Of course, Joseph knew they were his brothers, but by accusing them they were spies, he will be able to ask them to prove that they truly had a younger brother. Since they didn’t recognize him, they were all so fearful that they wouldn’t have grain to bring back to their father and Benjamin and would eventually die because of the famine. 

Joseph’s plan to find out about his father and Benjamin was brilliant. He could continue to make them believe what they know about him: the authority to grant them to buy grain in Egypt. This way he can confirm that his father and Benjamin are all well. It also gives him a chance to confine the rest of his brothers, not to punish them for what they had done to him, but to share with them his comfort and riches in Egypt.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think Joseph had that ability to still treat his brothers well despite what they did to him?