March 13, 2013

I'M WITH THE GOVERNMENT, AND I'M HERE TO HELP

Genesis 42:18-38

Roger Haynes
Wednesday's Devo

March 13, 2013

Wednesday's Devo

March 13, 2013

Central Truth

Even in the most dire of circumstances, God gives us hope. We can know from His words that He loves us, and we can trust Him.

Key Verse | Genesis 42:18

Now Joseph said to them on the third day, "Do this and live, for I fear God." (Genesis 42:18)

Genesis 42:18-38

18 On the third day Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: 19 if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined where you are in custody, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households, 20 and bring your youngest brother to me. So your words will be verified, and you shall not die.” And they did so. 21 Then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” 22 And Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.” 23 They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them. 24 Then he turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes. 25 And Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, and to replace every man's money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. This was done for them.

26 Then they loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed. 27 And as one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder at the lodging place, he saw his money in the mouth of his sack. 28 He said to his brothers, “My money has been put back; here it is in the mouth of my sack!” At this their hearts failed them, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, “What is this that God has done to us?”

29 When they came to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them, saying, 30 “The man, the lord of the land, spoke roughly to us and took us to be spies of the land. 31 But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we have never been spies. 32 We are twelve brothers, sons of our father. One is no more, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.’ 33 Then the man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I shall know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the famine of your households, and go your way. 34 Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I shall know that you are not spies but honest men, and I will deliver your brother to you, and you shall trade in the land.’”

35 As they emptied their sacks, behold, every man's bundle of money was in his sack. And when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were afraid. 36 And Jacob their father said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin. All this has come against me.” 37 Then Reuben said to his father, “Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.” 38 But he said, “My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is the only one left. If harm should happen to him on the journey that you are to make, you would bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.”

Dive Deeper | Genesis 42:18-38

Each of us, at some point in our lives, has endured some tough times. If you are like me, sometimes you have to be reminded that there is always hope. During my sophomore year in college, I caught a nasty virus that caused inflammation in my chest and around my heart. Dropping out of school that semester to recover was a very difficult time, and because of how weakened I was, it became very scary.

I wish I could say I persevered well, remained hopeful, and trusted God in the moment. Instead, I remember being more frustrated and upset about it. I could have endured it much more faithfully if I had remembered God promises to never leave or forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6).

As this passage begins, Joseph's brothers are enduring a tough time in the prison where Joseph has held them for three days. Joseph comes to them, and the first words out of his mouth are the most promising words they could have heard. Joseph says "Do this and live, for I fear God" (Genesis 42:18). For them to hear that statement from the leader of all governmental operations in Egypt was probably shocking. But at the same time, can you imagine the relief and hope?

When dark times are upon us, we can be strong by leaning on the hope that we have in God's promises (Jeremiah 29:11). Joseph suffered years of slavery and imprisonment, but always trusted God and had hope that God had a plan for the suffering. In this passage we learn that Joseph is the means through which God will save Joseph's family, including his father Jacob and all his brothers.

Through the life of Joseph, the Bible illustrates how we are saved through Christ's redemptive work on the cross. Jesus endured the humiliation and agony of crucifixion so that we might have forgiveness and life. His Word says we must trust in Him. Do this and live (John 14:6). In this passage we are also reminded to trust God's plan and have hope when times are tough. I still struggle with that. What about you?

Discussion Questions

1. How are you doing at trusting God in the middle of difficult circumstances?

2. Which verse helps you remember God's love for you and to trust His plan?

3. Who can you help through the tough time they are enduring by sharing your verse with them?

4. Did you know God has given you resources and people to help you if you are the one in need?

5. Will you trust Him today?