The Book of Genesis
Day 403
Ge 42:15 "In
this manner you shall be tested: By the life of Pharaoh, you shall not leave
this place unless your youngest brother comes here.
The more I read
this, the more I am impressed with the patience and love of Joseph. He is a
powerful man! Surely if he wanted to see his brother, he could hop in his
chariot and head home for a visit. It’s not like he didn’t know where his
family lived.
It helps us to
understand this patient and loving waiting if we see Joseph as a type of
Christ. First of all, let’s acknowledge
that He is in control, and then let’s admit that God doesn’t operate the way
that we do. Isa 55:8,9 reminds us: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.
9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways
higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
With this in mind,
let’s see where this leads. In demanding that Benjamin be brought to him by his
brothers, Joseph is going to deal with this unhealthy favoritism that his
father held toward he and Benjamin. If Joseph simply hops on the chariot for a
home visit this issue will never be dealt with. It would be swept under the rug
and remain unhealthy. Joseph had to bring his father to a place where he will
let go of Benjamin. In the process of letting go, we will see a beautiful thing
take place in this dysfunctional family.
By his actions
here, Joseph puts his family in crisis, and it is in this crisis that the
family eventually gets restored.
What kind of
crisis are you facing today? What is God doing in your life that doesn’t make a
whole lot of sense? Remember, His ways are not your ways, and His ways are way
better! I encourage you to hang in there! Continue in patient obedience to His
Word. Trust in His goodness, His faithfulness, and His love. Knowing in the
end, it is for your good!
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