And the famine was sore in the land. And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food. And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones. I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:
Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man: And GOD Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread. (Gen 43:1-3, 8-9, 13-15, 30-31)
When the first supply of grain was exhausted, Israel was now in a position where he had to send his sons back to Egypt, despite Joseph's conditions. He was forced to send Benjamin, his youngest along this time, despite his reluctance. Judah offered to be surety for his brother, and the sons set off for Egypt and presented themselves before Joseph. Seeing all his brothers, but especially Benjamin was too much for Joseph, and he had to depart to weep.
Joseph is learning that his brothers have grown up a little themselves, just as he has, and they are learning that actions can have consequences even much later, especially when dealing with family. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi have forfeited the birthright, and Judah has placed his position in jeopardy as surety for Benjamin. Joseph is the 2nd most powerful man in the nation of Egypt, and the children of Israel stand before their own brother and have no idea. By the foreknowledge and direction of GOD, things continue to work out in GOD's plan to provide for Israel, the family, and Israel the nation.
No matter what the circumstances we may face, or where GOD puts us, we must trust His plan, and wisdom, for He knows all things, and cannot fail. All that He has promised to His people will come to pass, in His time and in according to His will. We must serve while we wait, surrender to His will, and stay in His Word that we might come to know Him better, and He will correct and conform us to the image of His dear Son.
Our service to Him, wherever He has put us, is to minister to those around us as GOD guides and directs, to disciple one another in the Word, and to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to everyone we meet. As we go, we are to show GOD to others as He lives His life in us, we are to equip and encourage one another for the ministries that GOD has given us, and we are to share the Gospel of Hope and Salvation through faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, so that those who hear might believe, and believing have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. You must turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, and is our Life. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Joseph is learning that his brothers have grown up a little themselves, just as he has, and they are learning that actions can have consequences even much later, especially when dealing with family. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi have forfeited the birthright, and Judah has placed his position in jeopardy as surety for Benjamin. Joseph is the 2nd most powerful man in the nation of Egypt, and the children of Israel stand before their own brother and have no idea. By the foreknowledge and direction of GOD, things continue to work out in GOD's plan to provide for Israel, the family, and Israel the nation.
No matter what the circumstances we may face, or where GOD puts us, we must trust His plan, and wisdom, for He knows all things, and cannot fail. All that He has promised to His people will come to pass, in His time and in according to His will. We must serve while we wait, surrender to His will, and stay in His Word that we might come to know Him better, and He will correct and conform us to the image of His dear Son.
Our service to Him, wherever He has put us, is to minister to those around us as GOD guides and directs, to disciple one another in the Word, and to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to everyone we meet. As we go, we are to show GOD to others as He lives His life in us, we are to equip and encourage one another for the ministries that GOD has given us, and we are to share the Gospel of Hope and Salvation through faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, so that those who hear might believe, and believing have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. You must turn away from your sIn and unrighteousness and trust what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, and is our Life. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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