"We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us; and we would not hear, therefore this distress has come upon us." v21
Genesis 42:21- 43:24 NKJV
Joseph's brothers had indeed bowed down to him, as he had said. He also recognised them but didn't say so. He listened to them for a while and then accused them of being spies. He had no feelings of revenge but wanted them to feel remorse for what they had done. He placed them in prison for three days and then on the third day, he said that one of them should remain in prison and the others should go back and bring their younger brother, who Joseph knew was Benjamin.
They discussed this in Hebrew, but unbeknown to them, Jospeh could understand. He heard them saying that they were guilty of selling him into slavery and all the distress that they had caused him. He decided that Simeon should be kept in prison while the others took grain to their father and brought Benjamin back to him. They didn't know it but Joseph had restored all of their money as well, and, when they did, they feared him greatly because he would truly feel that they were indeed spies.
Why was Joseph doing this to them? Well, we know it was not revenge. He had heard them speaking and he had been led to tears.It was more likely that he detained them to allow them to feel what it felt like themselves. Joseph had been detained in a cistern, perhaps Joseph wanted them to feel this anguish too. It was more likely though, that God was using him to drive them to repentance. God would want them to work through all of this, repent and then be restored. They had already shown their guilt in the conversation that Joseph had overheard.
When they had returned to their father, Jacob refused to send Benjamin back with them. He didn't want to lose another son but as the grain ran out and the fear mounted that they had their money restored to them, he relented, and they set off again to Egypt, this time with Benjamin.
The results of our past sins follow us around and their comes a time when we need to put them right. If we've confessed them to Jesus, then they are forgiven and will not be mentioned again. They are under the blood. However, if they haven't, they will surface from time to time and may just resurface when we least expect them to. It is always best to confess all of our sin. This way, God can then begin to help us build a new life and restore us to Himself.
Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard
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