Genesis 42

Father God, thank you for this day. Thank you for You and thank you for the Word. Today as we read and share the Word, may You speak to our hearts and open up the eyes of our understanding as we behold the glory of the risen King as in a glass while we move from glory to glory in the name of Jesus, Amen. Thank you LORD.

This chapter starts off with Jacob sending his sons to go get food in Egypt. As seen in chapter 41, famine was not just in Egypt but in other parts of the world as well.

Joseph's brothers headed to Egypt. However, Jacob stayed behind with Benjamin just in case something happened to him (Genesis 42:4). Sadly, it may be safe to conclude that Jacob was still mourning Joseph as he did not want to take any chances with losing Benjamin as well.

Eventually, the brothers arrived in Egypt and Joseph recognized them but they did not recognize him (Genesis 42:8). As governor over Egypt, the brothers bowed their heads down to Joseph (Genesis 42:6) just like he had seen in the dreams years ago because he was the person in charge of all the food distribution at the time.

After asking about their whereabouts, Joseph then proceeds to question the brothers about their family lineage as he intentionally accused them of being spies in the land (Genesis 42:9).

They informed him that they were twelve sons from one father, their youngest brother remained behind with the father and they lost one brother (Genesis 42:13). Joseph threatened them with imprisonment and also told them that he would not believe it unless he saw their young brother (Genesis 42:15 &20).

In the midst of these discussions, the brothers started speaking to each other in their language and you could tell they felt remorse for abandoning and selling Joseph into slavery (Genesis 45:21-22).

Unknown to them, Joseph could understand the Hebrew language and at some point, he excused himself and cried (Genesis 45:23-24). Regardless of their hatred and harsh treatment towards him, it is evident that Joseph still felt compassion and love towards his brothers.

In the New Testament, God demonstrates an unfathomable love and compassion for all mankind through His Son, Jesus Christ. Just like Joseph, the Bible reminds us that Jesus was rejected in His hometown and because of this He could not do any mighty works there because of their unbelief (Matthew 13:58).

Jesus continues to say in Matthew 13:57 NKJV, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."

Unlike Joseph, Jesus was not surprised by the unbelief of the people in His hometown and His family. Thankfully, when Jesus died on the cross, He died for the sins of every single person including the people who believed Him, hated Him, rejected Him, betrayed Him, loved Him, and persecuted Him to the point of death.

Later on, Joseph confines Simeon into prison and promises to release him when they return to Egypt with their younger brother, Benjamin's 'proof of life' (Genesis 42:19). The brothers returned to Canaan and told their father what happened. "And Jacob their father said to them, "You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are working against me." (Genesis 42:36 NKJV). Jacob refused to let them go down to Egypt with Benjamin because he did not want to lose another child as the situation was with Joseph (Genesis 42:38), understandably so.

If we recall, in Genesis 22, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his one and only son, Isaac, whom he loved so much. Abraham was obedient to God's instruction except God did not allow Abraham to sacrifice Isaac because it was more about Abraham's heart, his submission and reverence to the Almighty God where Isaac would not stand in the way of his personal relationship with God.

In Jacob's case, we see a similar pattern repeat itself. Jacob was a man of covenant just like his father and grandfather, Abraham. Joseph was Jacob's favorite son but unlike Abraham who put Isaac on an altar before God, Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. Just like the idol of Isaac died in his father's heart that day when he placed him on the altar, I believe Joseph was definitely dead in his father's heart as well although God kept him alive for His glory unknown to anyone in his family at the time.

I'll end with this Word found in 1 John 3:8-9 (NKJV)

8. "He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning.

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He may destroy the works of the devil."

9. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin,

   because he has been born of God."

AMEN, thank you God.

Invitation to salvation: I invite you to make this confession that invites you to new covenant of love that is found in the precious blood of Jesus Christ where we get to be born of God and no longer sin because Jesus Christ has permanently destroyed sin's power in your life.

Please say the words below:

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and with God as my loving Father today and forever." AMEN.

Congratulations, by grace you are saved and are now a new creation in Christ Jesus. The old life has passed away and you have received the free gift of salvation into your life (2 Corinthians 5:17) where you get to freely access everything I've shared in this post. To the glory of the Almighty God. Amen.

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PS: In case you have not already, please remember to read Genesis 42 alongside this post in your personal devotional time and share your thoughts in the comments below!