Gen. 43:19-30
Joseph’s brothers, bidden to dine in his house, were genuinely frightened at the thought of being in his presence. Their hearts had not yet shown a readiness to fully acknowledge their guilt concerning their brother, and they were far from God as they continued with this weight of evil upon them. Under such circumstances God would not grant them peace in the presence of Joseph.
Approaching the steward of the house, they recounted the events connected with their first trip into Egypt and the perplexing things that happened before they returned to their native land. To their surprise they heard him say: “Peace be to you, fear not; your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks.” v. 23. “And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet.” v. 24. The steward’s reply disclosed to them that before they ever related their story he knew all about it. It is good for all to remember that the Word of God “is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight.” Heb. 4: 12, 13.
Brought into Joseph’s house, they were treated with a kindness that they did not deserve. Joseph had so ordered in their behalf, his object being to eventually win their hearts to himself. The psalmist, dwelling on God’s ways of grace, could say: “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him,” Psa. 103:10,11.
“And when Joseph came horn they brought him the present whit was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.” v. 26. No doubt Joseph one more thought back on his boyhood dream: “And behold your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.” They then answered his inquiry as to the welfare of the father, little realizing his great personal concern and happiness to know that all was well with him.
Next, turning to Benjamin and looking for the first time in more than twenty years upon his true brother whom he loved so deeply, he could no longer hold back tears of affectionate emotion. His weeping, however, was done in the secret of his own chamber — the brothers unaware of the cause of his sudden departure from their presence. In this incident Joseph reminds us of the Lord Jesus, who, coming into Jerusalem as the Messiah amid the acclaim of some of the people, yet saw their hardened hearts and distance from God. “And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:41,42.
The barrier of guilt still stood between the brothers and Joseph. His identity was also “hid from their eyes” and his compassion toward them could not be openly shown.
Memory Verse: “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17.
ML 08/20/1967