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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 44:6–13 (ESV)

Joseph’s plan was set into motion. He initiated a set up to test his elder brothers’ integrity and loyalty: not only to Benjamin and their father Jacob but also to the LORD. The question remained as to whether the elder brothers would pass the test.

When Joseph’s steward overtook the brothers they were dumbfounded. They protested that they would never have stolen silver or gold from the governor’s home. They then confidently added, “Whichever of your servants is found with it shall die, and we also will be my lord’s servants.” The steward replied, ““Let it be as you say: he who is found with it shall be my servant, and the rest of you shall be innocent.”

Each brother then opened their respective sack. The search began with the eldest brother, Reuben, and continued to the youngest, Benjamin. Moses then recorded the following stark statement: “And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.”

The brothers were shocked and in great grief. This is indicated by the statement, “Then they tore their clothes.”

Dr. John Walvoord explains, “When the steward … caught up with them and accused them of theft, he deliberately created tension among them by opening the sack of the oldest first and ending with the youngest. He knew, of course, that the silver cup was in Benjamin’s sack. The sudden threat to Benjamin was like a sword thrust through their hearts (cf. Solomon’s plan, 1 Kings 3:16–28). All the conditions were present for another betrayal when Benjamin was accused. Yet this time their response shows how well the chastening had done its work. They tore their clothes in grief (cf. Job 1:20), a response which they had earlier caused their father to make over Joseph’s loss (Gen. 37:34).”

With the incontrovertible evidence before them, the brothers repacked their sacks, loaded their donkeys and returned to the Egyptian city to face the governor. They would return to face their long, lost brother Joseph.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “We all know we are sinners. We all know that we are not perfect. Any Bible believing Christian would admit that. But what are you really capable of in your sinful condition? When the sons of Jacob were accused of stealing the silver cup from Joseph, they protested on the grounds that stealing was morally unthinkable for them. But was it? And what about us? What are we capable of?”

With these thoughts in mind, how does the providence of God bring each believer in Christ to the end of themselves as He prepares them to face their sin? More to come from the Journey of Joseph. Have a God minded day.

Soli deo Gloria!

“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.’ ” (Genesis 44:1–5 (ESV)

The governor of Egypt and Jacob’s eleven sons had a wonderful lunch. However, the eleven brothers still do not know that the so-called Egyptian official they have lunched with is really their brother Joseph.

The brothers brought back the money Joseph returned to them from their first visit to Egypt to buy grain. This time, Joseph not only returned their money, unbeknownst to them, but also had his steward secretly place Joseph’s silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. The stage was set for one final test. This act was to see if Joseph’s elder brothers had truly changed from the men they were so many years ago.

What was the significance of the silver cup? Apparently, the silver cup was Joseph’s personal drinking utensil. It probably was also symbolic of his position and power in Egypt. It was also used to determine signs and the will of God (Gen. 44:5). For it to be stolen or lost would be a major incident.

Joseph used this particular item as an instrument to test his elder brothers’ integrity. The question would be whether or not Josephs’ elder brothers would come to Benjamin’s defense or look out only for their own selfish interests and preservation.

The following morning after their luncheon with Joseph, the eleven brothers set out at first light to travel back to Canaan. Their donkeys were loaded with sacks of grain and provisions. Benjamin’s sack contained the aforementioned silver cup.

Today’s text says that they had only traveled a short distance from the Egyptian city, of which no name is given. It was at this time that Joseph then told his steward, ““Up, follow after the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? Is it not from this that my lord drinks, and by this that he practices divination? You have done evil in doing this.’ ”   

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Although they will struggle with sin until death, believers will repent and press forward toward the goal God sets before His people (Heb. 12:1–2). Jacob’s son, Joseph, understood these truths well, and he knew that his brothers must repent and obey if they were to be the Lord’s people. Their crime of selling him into slavery because they were jealous of him (Gen. 37:25–28) did not automatically bar them from God’s promises — they would have been forever lost only if they, evidenced in an unchanged life, refused to serve God through an utter lack of faith. Happily, Joseph saw their newness of heart when they did not envy the favored position he gave to Benjamin (chap. 43). Yet Joseph could not see the hearts of his brothers, and he further pressed them, looking for proof of their changed hearts. Since they had been disloyal to God’s people when they betrayed him, Joseph thought he might discern the state of his brothers’ souls by testing their loyalty to Benjamin. Today’s passage describes how Joseph initiated this test to see if their repentance was genuine.”

John Calvin writes that, “if we have an arduous (difficult) conflict with the impetuosity of an angry temper, or the obstinacy of a disposition to hatred, we must pray to the Lord for a spirit of meekness, the force of which manifests itself not less effectually, at this day, in the members of Christ, then formerly in Joseph.”

May the LORD grant each of us who are believers in Christ a spirit of forgiveness. This spirit of forgiveness is in light of all which Christ has forgiven us (Eph. 4:31-32). Have a blessed day in the LORD.

Soli deo Gloria!

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 43:30–34 (ESV)

Lunchtime with the Egyptian governor proved to be an interesting affair for Jacob’s eleven sons. Once again, little did they realize that the governor in fact was their brother Joseph. Additionally, an interesting cultural dynamic is evident in today’s text.

First, they ate segregated from each other. Joseph ate by himself. His brothers ate by themselves. Also, the other Egyptians in attendance ate by themselves. This was because Egyptians did not eat with the Hebrews because this was an abomination to the Egyptians. Moses, who wrote this historical account, would have known this cultural conduct.

Secondly, even though they sat and ate separately, they dined in the same room. The eleven brothers sat before Joseph. The interesting thing was that Joseph sat them in order of their birth. Joseph’s brothers were obviously amazed at the seating arrangement. They wondered how the governor knew their birth order.

Thirdly, the portions of food which Benjamin received were five times as much as the other brothers. Perhaps Joseph did this to see if the jealous bothers of his past would have a similar jealously toward their other brother Benjamin in the present.

None of these issues seemed to matter to the group. Everyone drank and made merry.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Joseph gives his brothers an opportunity to prove they are now different when he eats with them. Their earlier sins against him were prompted by jealousy, and so he makes sure to shower Benjamin with gifts to see if they envied Rachel’s other son (43:26–34a). His formerly murderous siblings pass the test with flying colors, eating and rejoicing freely without being disgruntled at having less than their youngest brother (v. 34b). Truly, they have grown spiritually by leaps and bounds in the years Joseph has been away. But Joseph will test their fidelity one last time to see if they have actually been transformed by the Spirit and are now ruled by love.”

How has the Holy Spirit transformed you? How is the fruit of the Spirit evident in your own life?

More to come is our study of the Journey of Joseph. Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!  

We will continue to devote each Lord’s Day in 2022 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2022. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Twenty Eight. Of Baptism.

1. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ,^a not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church,^b but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace,^c of his ingrafting into Christ,^d of regeneration,^e of remission of sins,^f and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life:^g which sacrament is, by Christ’s own appointment, to be continued in his Church until the end of the world.^h

a. Mat 28:19. • b. 1 Cor 12:13. • c. Rom 4:11 with Col 2:11-12. • d. Rom 6:5; Gal 3:27. • e. Titus 3:5. • f. Mark 1:4. • g. Rom 6:3-4. • h. Mat 28:19-20.

2. The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the gospel lawfully called thereunto.^a

a. Mat 3:11; 28:19-20; John 1:33.

3. Dipping of the person into the water is not necessary; but baptism is rightly administered by pouring or sprinkling water upon the person.^a

a. Mark 7:4; Acts 2:41; 16:33; Heb 9:10, 19-22.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post. Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

Soli deo Gloria!

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” (Genesis 43:27–30 (ESV)

Unbeknownst to the eleven brothers, their brother Joseph who they knew only as the governor of Egypt, was their host for lunch. Joseph asked them, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” Little did they realize the significance emotional weight their response would be to this Egyptian leader when they said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.”

Then Joseph saw his younger brother Benjamin, the second son of his mother Rachel. Joseph said, “God be gracious to you, my son!” The word “God” indicates that Joseph invoked the name of Elohim; the One, True, and Living God. He was not using the name of any Egyptian god.

Finally, Joseph came close to being overcome with emotion. This scene was more than he could bear. The text says, “For his compassion grew warm for his brother.” Joseph’s heart was filled with strong feelings of love and affection for his brother Benjamin, who he had not seen in over twenty years. Imagine the level of self-control Joseph displayed in leaving his brothers for his private room in order to deeply sob and mourn.

Joseph was reunited with most of the family who he had known for the first seventeen years of his life. He was rejoined to his full brother Benjamin, the other son of his mother. He discovered his father, Jacob, was still alive. He was also with his elder brothers, who had once sought to kill him, but now bow in homage before him.

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “Simeon was returned to them (v. 23), and a noon meal was prepared for Joseph’s 11 guests. When they presented their gifts to Joseph … they bowed down before him in fulfillment of Joseph’s dream (37:7). Joseph, seeing his brother Benjamin, could not hold back his tears of joy. Benjamin, of course, was his full brother; the others were half-brothers. As before when he talked with the 10 (42:24), he went aside and wept.”

The stage was set for Joseph to see if his elder brothers had really changed in the present from what they were in the past. More to come.

Soli deo Gloria!

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. 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” (Genesis 43:24–26 (ESV)

Joseph’s steward brought Jacob’s eleven sons into Joseph’s house. It was at this time that they received water to drink and to refresh themselves following their long, hot, and dry journey. The steward also gave their donkeys food. Egyptian hospitality could not have been better.

Puritan Matthew Henry writes, “We must own ourselves indebted to God, as our God and the God of our fathers (a God in covenant with us and them) for all our successes and advantages, and the kindnesses of our friends; for every creature is that to us, and no more, which God makes it to be. The steward encouraged them, not only in words but in deeds; for he made very much of them till his master came, v. 24.”

Anticipating Joseph’s appearance at noon, the brothers prepared their gift of fruits and nuts (Gen. 43:11). When Joseph arrived, the brothers presented their gifts. In doing so, they also bowed down to him to the ground. The dreams Joseph dreamed as a youth became a reality as a man (Gen. 37:5-11). His brothers gave him homage and respect. What a difference from when they encountered him as a teenager (Gen. 37:12-28).

Dr. R. C. Sproul explains, “Jacob trusted in God’s providence, and the Lord did watch over Jacob’s sons once he sent them back into the land of the Nile. In today’s passage they arrive at Joseph’s house in Egypt. Given how their brother treated them earlier, they are rightly afraid (Gen. 43:18), and they hear strange news when they attempt to pay for the grain they received for free on the earlier visit. Joseph’s steward tells them he received their payment and that God returned their money to their sacks (v. 23), putting into words the divine superintendence revealed in their circumstances. This reminds them of their vulnerability, preparing them to understand the depth of their past sins and to show they have changed since dropping Joseph in a pit (chap. 37). Joseph gives his brothers an opportunity to prove they are now different when he eats with them.”

There are no coincidences. Everything which occurs in our lives happens for a reason. This is true even when we do not yet understand the reason. God’s timing is often not our own. Let us learn to trust in Him.

Have a blessed day in the LORD.

Soli deo Gloria!

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” (Genesis 43:19–23 (ESV)

Joseph invited his brothers to his Egyptian house to have lunch. However, they thought that the individual they knew only as the Egyptian governor was going to accuse them of theft. This was because they discovered they still had their money in their sacks, which they previously used it to buy grain (Gen. 43:1-22).

Today’s text reveals to us that this thought dominated Joseph’s brothers’ minds, emotions and will. They immediately said to Joseph’s steward, “²⁰Oh, 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.”

The steward 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.”

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “An indication of Joseph’s steward either having come to faith in God or having become very familiar with how Joseph talked of his God and life. So concerned were the brothers to protest their ignorance of the means of the money being returned and to express their desire to settle this debt (vv. 20–22), that they missed the steward’s clear reference to the God of Israel (“the God of your father”) and his oversight of events in which he had played a part (“I received your money”).”

It was after this exchange to clear up any misunderstanding about the money that the steward brought Simeon to his brothers. One reunion of brothers occurred, while another reunion is waiting in the wings.

God always makes a way when there seems to be no way. He always works in way we cannot see. That is why we must trust Him with all our being (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Have a blessed day in the LORD.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁶ “When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.” ¹⁷ The man did as Joseph told him and brought the men to Joseph’s house. ¹⁸ And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph’s house, and they said, “It is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys” (Genesis 43:16–18 (ESV)

Proverbs 28:1 (ESV) says, “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” King Solomon was stating that an individual, or individuals, with a guilty conscience imagine accusers everywhere (cf. Num. 32:23; Ps. 53:5). However, a person’s clear conscience gives boldness for them to face anyone

When Joseph’s brothers arrived in Egypt, he showed them genuine hospitality. He had them brought into his home and gave orders to have an animal slaughtered and prepared for a festive noontime lunch.

The brothers, with the obvious exception of Benjamin, were afraid. They felt great distress and deep concern. Why? There was no obvious reason for them to fear. Or was there?

Today’s text says that they were afraid because they reasoned that Joseph would soon accuse them of theft. This was due to the replaced money in their individual sacks. They believed that Joseph would assault them, enslave them and seize their donkeys.

Perhaps the elder brothers’ fear stems from their actions over twenty years in the past. They assaulted Joseph, sold him into slavery to the Midianites, and seized his many colored tunic (Gen. 37:18-28). It is clear that the elder brothers do not have clear consciences. Therefore, they feared Joseph when he gave them no reason to fear.

Puritan Matthew Henry writes, “They were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph’s house, v. 18. The just challenges of their own consciences, and Joseph’s violent suspicions of them, forbade them to expect any favor, and suggested to them that this was done with a bad design upon them. Those that are guilty and timorous are apt to make the worst of everything. Now they thought they should be reckoned with about the money in the sacks’ mouths, and should be charged as cheats, and men not fit to be dealt with, who had taken advantage of the hurry of the market to carry off their corn unpaid for.”

Have you ever been afraid of someone, or some situation? Why? Was it because of some past indiscretion or sin you committed which created in you a guilty conscience in the present?  Confess whatever sin in your life and rest in the forgiveness found in Christ Jesus alone.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

“So the men took this present, and they took double the money with them, and Benjamin. They arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph” (Genesis 43:15 (ESV)

Much has happened since Jacob’s sons returned from Egypt. Much has happened as they prepared to return to Egypt.

Jacob instructed his sons to gather various choice fruits, spices and nuts to give to the Egyptian governor. He also directed them to give back the money they found in their sacks on their return trip to Canaan (Gen. 43:11-14). Finally, he entrusted his youngest son Benjamin into their care, especially Judah’s (Gen. 43:1-13).

Moses did not record the time interval between the brothers’ first visit to Egypt and their second. He also did not indicate how long it took them to travel to Egypt. What he did write, which is contained in today’s text, is that they took the present for the governor, and double the money with them. Presumably they took double the money in order to compensate for the first load of grain along with the new purchase. They also took their most precious item: Benjamin.

They travelled south to Egypt. Having visited that region, it is a hot and arid area. In other words, it is a desert. Perhaps even more so during this devastating famine. However, they eventually reached their destination and stood before Joseph.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “When Jacob finally allowed Benjamin to go to Egypt, his trusting in the Almighty no matter what might happen was not stoic acquiescence to fate (Gen. 43:14). He took action to help smooth the way forward for his sons, knowing that the Lord uses the decisions of His people to work out His sovereign plan. Jacob understood trusting the Lord is not only intellectual assent, it also means doing what God tells us is right (James 2:14–26). Israel prayed for Benjamin’s safe return and sent a present to the pharaoh’s steward (Gen. 43:11–13), a wise move for those who approached royalty in those days. The honey, which could be found in diverse places such as rocks (Deut. 32:13), animal carcasses (Judg. 14:8–9), and trees (1 Sam. 14:25–27), was an extra-special treat during a famine. Jacob trusted in God’s providence, and the Lord did watch over Jacob’s sons once he sent them back into the land of the Nile.”  

More to come as the journey of Joseph, and his family, continues. Have a blessed day as you trust in the LORD’s providence.

Soli deo Gloria!

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. 13 Take also your brother, and arise, go again to the man. 14 May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” (Genesis 43:11-14)

Jacob realized that for his family to survive the continuing and devastating famine, he must agree to the terms set by the governor of Egypt. When his sons return to Egypt for more grain, Jacob’s youngest son, Benjamin, must accompany them. There was no alternative.

Jacob then directed his sons to prepare an appropriate gift for the governor. He simply refers to him as the man. He does not know that he is his son, Joseph. The gift includes choice fruits, balm, honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. Apparently, these items would be unavailable in Egypt.

Additionally, Jacob instructed the brothers to carry back the money that was returned to them. He reasoned that perhaps it was an oversight on the governor’s part.

Finally, the patriarch tells his sons to take Benjamin, the youngest. He then orders them to return to the man.

His final words before his sons depart is a prayer. He prayed that God Almighty, El-Shaddai, would grant them mercy. In other words, that Yahweh would give the brothers His compassion before the governor. He also prayed that their other brother and Benjamin would return. Perhaps Jacob did realize that Joseph was still alive and perhaps had been sold into slavery by his brothers.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “In trusting his sons, Jacob must also trust the Lord, for he cannot be certain that he will see Benjamin again. His faith in God’s providential care is revealed in the benediction he offers before his sons depart (v. 14). He calls on the name of God Almighty, the name our Creator gave to Himself when the Abrahamic covenant was sealed (17:1–14). This is significant. Just as Abraham earlier had to trust the Lord to do the impossible and give him a son in his old age (17:15–21), so too must Jacob now trust God to accomplish His promise to multiply his family (35:11) even if the unthinkable happens and he loses more sons (43:14).”

Puritan Matthew Henry concludes by saying, “Though men value very highly their gold and silver, and the luxuries which are counted the best fruits of every land, yet in a time of famine they willingly barter them for bread. And how little will earthly good things stand us in the day of wrath! How ready should we be to renounce them all, as loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ! Our way to prevail with man is by first prevailing with the Lord in fervent prayer. But, Thy will be done, should close every petition for the mercies of this life, or against the afflictions of this life.”

Soli deo Gloria