Genesis 43

"Bless and affectionately praise the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

Bless and affectionately praise the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget any of His benefits;

Who forgives all your sins,

Who heals all your diseases;

Who redeems your life from the pit,

Who crowns you [lavishly] with lovingkindness and tender mercy;

Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the [soaring] eagle." 🦅

(Psalm 103:1-5 AMP).

Genesis chapter 43 begins with a food shortage in the homes of Jacob and his sons. All the food supplies they acquired from Egypt at this point were now depleted. At this point, the sons tell their father that they have no option but to return to Egypt with Benjamin (Genesis 43:5). Judah re assures his father that they would return with Benjamin and ensure that nothing would happen to him otherwise he would bear the blame forever (Genesis 43:9). Jacob eventually agrees with his sons. Jacob understood honour and instructed his sons to take gifts to Joseph and double money in their hand as well (Genesis 43:12).

In Genesis 43:14 NKJV he says, "And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved." Jacob's surrender to God's will in this scenario unleashes the biggest surprise in his life. This is the first time we see Jacob praying for God's mercy to go before his sons since Joseph died. Amazingly, God had already answered this prayer.

Unknown to Jacob's imagination at the time, his sons safely arrived in Egypt and were reconciled together after so many years. Joseph welcomed them and ushered them into his home - "And they sat before him, the first born according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked in astonishment at one another. Then he took servings to them from before him, but Benjamin's serving was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him." (Genesis 43:33-34).

I believe this verse shows us the importance of prayer. In this case, we saw that Jacob recognized his need for God by inviting him into the situation and surrendering the outcome to Him. As God is a good God who has good gifts for His children, He had actually already answered Jacob's prayer. However, prayer downloaded to Jacob what heaven had always prepared for him to receive here on earth. The time when Jacob was expecting the worst like going down to his grave in sorrow (Genesis 42:38), God had a pleasant surprise for him - Joseph was still alive!

Just like Jacob, today God has prepared this same hope, pleasant surprises and good news for you and I that is found in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came to die for the sins of the world so that we could be blessed and one with the Father again. In case, you wondering, when the enemy introduced sin to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, it spread to all humanity and separated us from God. This is the reason that Jesus came, to restore the relationship between us and God, the Father by destroying the works of the devil and sin (1 John 3:8).

On that note, Jesus in John 14:6 reminds us of this truth, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, No one comes to the Father except through Me."

I'll end with this Word found in Luke 11:10-13 (NKJV)

10. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

11. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?

12. Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

13. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

Amen, thank you Father.

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 have a personal relationship with God, the Father and your part and assignment in God's Kingdom is revealed.

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.

Please feel free to reach out to us on info@bibleversionoflife.com. We would love to hear your story and send you a free Bible! God bless you.

PS: In case you have not already, please remember to read Genesis 43 alongside this post in your personal devotional time and share your thoughts in the comments below!