1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:03,520 Speaker 1: And he said, behold, I have heard that there is 2 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:07,360 Speaker 1: corn in Egypt. Get you down thither and buy for 3 00:00:07,520 --> 00:00:11,200 Speaker 1: us from thence that we may live and not die 4 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:17,320 Speaker 1: Genesis forty two two. Heavenly Father, to day, I choose 5 00:00:17,360 --> 00:00:21,520 Speaker 1: to praise you Lord in the midst of famines, recessions, 6 00:00:21,560 --> 00:00:26,160 Speaker 1: and lack throughout the nation and in other countries, because 7 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:30,760 Speaker 1: I know that I will not be affected. You've given 8 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:36,120 Speaker 1: me divine strategy to experience abundance and provision. I praise 9 00:00:36,159 --> 00:00:39,080 Speaker 1: you Lord for the simple fact that in the economy 10 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:41,639 Speaker 1: of Heaven there is no such thing as a recession. 11 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:47,000 Speaker 1: I declare that, as your child, you give me access 12 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:52,320 Speaker 1: to your resources that never run out. Therefore, I will 13 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:55,959 Speaker 1: position myself for increase. I will go to the places 14 00:00:55,960 --> 00:01:00,480 Speaker 1: where your provision and peace are in abundance. I confess 15 00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:03,320 Speaker 1: that when I come in contact with those who've wronged me, 16 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:06,720 Speaker 1: I will not use my position of power and influence 17 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:11,360 Speaker 1: to get revenge, but instead will use it to show 18 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:17,720 Speaker 1: grace and forgiveness, generosity and kindness. Every good gift comes 19 00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:21,240 Speaker 1: from You, God. And with this truth, I will remind 20 00:01:21,319 --> 00:01:26,520 Speaker 1: myself that I am blessed to be a blessing. I 21 00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:29,800 Speaker 1: will remind myself that I walk through open doors because 22 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:33,679 Speaker 1: I am called to help others walk through them. Hallelujah. 23 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:38,360 Speaker 1: I thank you God that opportunities and increase are all 24 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:46,520 Speaker 1: around me. Then, Jesus name Amen, thank you for making 25 00:01:46,560 --> 00:01:49,920 Speaker 1: prayer a priority in your day. To learn more about 26 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:53,560 Speaker 1: the Bible, stay tuned for today's story, brought to you 27 00:01:53,920 --> 00:02:06,680 Speaker 1: by Bible in a Year dot Com Returning to Egypt. 28 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:11,880 Speaker 1: Before this story, we learned about how Joseph waited patiently 29 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:15,800 Speaker 1: in prison. He was finally able to interpret dreams, which 30 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:19,919 Speaker 1: eventually promoted him to be second in command. Joseph was 31 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:23,239 Speaker 1: put in charge of preparing for the coming famine, which 32 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:27,280 Speaker 1: would eventually spread throughout the entire land. Now we will 33 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:30,799 Speaker 1: learn about how Joseph's brothers went to Egypt to buy 34 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:34,720 Speaker 1: grain during that great famine. However, they were unable to 35 00:02:34,720 --> 00:02:42,200 Speaker 1: recognize Joseph. Inspired by the Book of Genesis, Hello, I'm 36 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:44,880 Speaker 1: Jack Graham with the day's episode of the Bible in 37 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:48,480 Speaker 1: a Year podcast. In our last episode, we learned that 38 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:52,160 Speaker 1: Joseph was able to rise to a position of incredible power, 39 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:56,320 Speaker 1: the second most powerful man in all of Egypt, the 40 00:02:56,400 --> 00:03:01,760 Speaker 1: Prime Minister. God used Joseph to interpret Pharaoh's disturbing dreams 41 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:04,880 Speaker 1: and warn him about an upcoming seven year famine that 42 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:08,760 Speaker 1: would follow seven years of abundance. Joseph was then put 43 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:11,480 Speaker 1: in charge of the plan to store grain and prepare 44 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:15,000 Speaker 1: for the lean years. And when we catch up with 45 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:18,280 Speaker 1: him in today's reading, the plentiful years have passed, and 46 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 1: under Joseph's careful guidance and governance, food has been stored 47 00:03:22,919 --> 00:03:26,920 Speaker 1: in preparation for the famine. And now the famine comes. 48 00:03:27,760 --> 00:03:30,280 Speaker 1: We'll see how this time of great need had swept 49 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 1: far and wide beyond Egypt and into Canaan, where Jacob, 50 00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 1: Joseph's father, and Jacob's sons, Joseph's brothers were living. Joseph's 51 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:42,880 Speaker 1: brothers will travel into the land of Egypt to beg 52 00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:46,560 Speaker 1: for help, not knowing that it was the brother whom 53 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:50,360 Speaker 1: they had betrayed, that they were their face. There's so 54 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:53,880 Speaker 1: much to watch for in this reading. Pay close attention 55 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:57,880 Speaker 1: to Joseph's reaction when he recognizes his brothers, Reuben and 56 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:01,640 Speaker 1: Judah and the others. Iagine how you would feel in 57 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:06,000 Speaker 1: a situation like this. Now you are finally able to 58 00:04:06,040 --> 00:04:11,440 Speaker 1: either take revenge or show mercy. What will Joseph do 59 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:14,840 Speaker 1: with this opportunity. Will he continue to show kindness and 60 00:04:14,960 --> 00:04:17,960 Speaker 1: integrity as he did for such a long time in captivity, 61 00:04:18,720 --> 00:04:21,520 Speaker 1: or will bitterness get the best of him? Will he 62 00:04:21,560 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 1: seethe with anger and rage and bring judgment on those 63 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:29,040 Speaker 1: who harmed him. Let's listen now to find out exactly 64 00:04:29,080 --> 00:04:33,359 Speaker 1: what happens. Just as God had revealed through Joseph, the 65 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:38,360 Speaker 1: famines spread like wildfire throughout the land, blighted and desolate, 66 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:43,880 Speaker 1: farm lands became barren, and livestock starved and died. It 67 00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:49,840 Speaker 1: came like a plague, and the entire countryside fell intospair. Egypt, however, 68 00:04:50,279 --> 00:04:54,400 Speaker 1: was able to withstand the fatal famine. As Joseph instructed, 69 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:57,440 Speaker 1: one fifth of all that was grown the past seven 70 00:04:57,520 --> 00:05:02,040 Speaker 1: years were kept safe and distributed carefully across the plains 71 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:05,760 Speaker 1: towards the north. Jacob and his family hurt from the famine. 72 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 1: Their food had become scarce, and the family had no 73 00:05:09,560 --> 00:05:13,520 Speaker 1: choice but to look to Egypt for help. Israel looked 74 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:16,960 Speaker 1: at his sons doing nothing and said, why do you 75 00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:19,839 Speaker 1: all look at each other? He asked, I have heard 76 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:22,799 Speaker 1: that there is grain for sale in Egypt. Go down 77 00:05:22,880 --> 00:05:25,000 Speaker 1: and buy grain for us. There so that we may 78 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 1: not die. So ten of Joseph's brothers journeyed south to Egypt, 79 00:05:30,279 --> 00:05:34,320 Speaker 1: but Israel did not send Benjamin, Joseph's younger brother, for 80 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:37,359 Speaker 1: fear that he would be hurt as Joseph was. The 81 00:05:37,440 --> 00:05:41,120 Speaker 1: sons of Israel ventured forth to Egypt, not knowing they 82 00:05:41,120 --> 00:05:44,040 Speaker 1: would be coming face to face with their past sins. 83 00:05:44,839 --> 00:05:48,000 Speaker 1: Joseph was the governor over the land and oversaw all 84 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:52,320 Speaker 1: transactions between other countries and the grain. A long line 85 00:05:52,360 --> 00:05:56,679 Speaker 1: of people stood before Joseph, pleading for food. Joseph peered 86 00:05:56,680 --> 00:06:00,400 Speaker 1: across the sea of faces and caught glimpses of his others. 87 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:04,800 Speaker 1: Waves of memories began flooding back to him, memories of 88 00:06:04,880 --> 00:06:08,520 Speaker 1: being thrown into a pit, shackled, and shipped away. He 89 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:12,400 Speaker 1: recognized them instantly, but they stood before him with no 90 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:16,479 Speaker 1: clue of who he really was. When they stood before him, 91 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 1: Joseph treated them like strangers and said, where do you 92 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:23,320 Speaker 1: come from? He spoke with a rough voice, reeling from 93 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:26,760 Speaker 1: the emotions of seeing his betrayers again, from the land 94 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:30,040 Speaker 1: of Canaan to buy food. They answered in a tone 95 00:06:30,080 --> 00:06:33,120 Speaker 1: of reverence, for they were speaking to the second most 96 00:06:33,200 --> 00:06:38,839 Speaker 1: powerful man in all the Egypt They bowed before him. Instantly, 97 00:06:38,880 --> 00:06:42,240 Speaker 1: a rush of images flooded back into Joseph's mind, the 98 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:45,479 Speaker 1: dreams he had once dreamed of his brother's bowing before him. 99 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:50,560 Speaker 1: Now coming to fruition, Joseph did his best to compose himself. 100 00:06:51,680 --> 00:06:55,200 Speaker 1: You are spies, he said, crossly. You have come to 101 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:58,000 Speaker 1: see the vulnerability of the land, so you can take it, 102 00:06:58,320 --> 00:07:03,159 Speaker 1: he pointed to them. They trembled at Joseph's accusations. No, Lord, 103 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:06,039 Speaker 1: they shouted, Your servants have come to buy food, and 104 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:08,480 Speaker 1: that is all. We are sons of one man, and 105 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:11,440 Speaker 1: we are ten of twelve. One brother is at home 106 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 1: with our father, and the other is dead. We are 107 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:18,000 Speaker 1: honest men, we promise. Joseph scoffed at the sound of 108 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:21,240 Speaker 1: them claiming to be honest men. Knowing full well what 109 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:24,440 Speaker 1: they had done to him, Joseph decided to test their 110 00:07:24,480 --> 00:07:27,679 Speaker 1: claims by keeping them captive until one of them brought 111 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:31,560 Speaker 1: back their youngest brother. For three days he held them 112 00:07:31,600 --> 00:07:35,320 Speaker 1: in custody, Joseph's heart ached every moment he was in 113 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:38,840 Speaker 1: the presence of his brothers. On the third day, Joseph 114 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:42,320 Speaker 1: came to the brothers and said to them, I fear God, 115 00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:45,840 Speaker 1: do this and I will let you free. Let one 116 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:48,000 Speaker 1: of your brothers remain here while the rest of you 117 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:52,160 Speaker 1: take grain to your father. Then bring your youngest brother 118 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 1: back to me so I can verify your claims. The 119 00:07:55,760 --> 00:08:00,440 Speaker 1: brothers did exactly as Joseph ordered. They began packing, afraid 120 00:08:00,440 --> 00:08:03,520 Speaker 1: of what would happen next. God began to work in 121 00:08:03,560 --> 00:08:07,200 Speaker 1: the hearts of the brothers. They spoke among one another, saying, 122 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:10,680 Speaker 1: we all know why this is happening to us. We 123 00:08:10,840 --> 00:08:14,520 Speaker 1: caused our youngest brother, Joseph pain and suffering, and he 124 00:08:14,560 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 1: begged us to show him mercy, but we did not. 125 00:08:17,440 --> 00:08:21,840 Speaker 1: Now we are being punished by putting Benjamin at risk. Reuben, 126 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:26,040 Speaker 1: the oldest, answered them and said, did I not tell 127 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:29,840 Speaker 1: you to leave the boy alone? You didn't listen. Now 128 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:32,640 Speaker 1: God has required a reckoning from us for his blood. 129 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:36,240 Speaker 1: All the while Joseph was listening, for they did not 130 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:39,479 Speaker 1: know that he spoke their language because he used an interpreter. 131 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:45,000 Speaker 1: As the brothers continued packing, Joseph turned away and wept 132 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:48,840 Speaker 1: alone in secret. He looked to God, his heart breaking 133 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:51,600 Speaker 1: over what he was doing to his brothers. Yet a 134 00:08:51,640 --> 00:08:54,280 Speaker 1: part of him did not trust them enough to reveal himself. 135 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:57,880 Speaker 1: Wiping away his tears, he came back to him. He 136 00:08:58,040 --> 00:09:00,960 Speaker 1: took Simon from them and bound in ropes in front 137 00:09:00,960 --> 00:09:04,280 Speaker 1: of his brothers. Joseph gave orders to his servants to 138 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:06,920 Speaker 1: give his brothers their money back in the bags of grain. 139 00:09:07,559 --> 00:09:09,960 Speaker 1: He also ordered for them to be given extra for 140 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:13,800 Speaker 1: the journey home. Though Joseph was cross with them, he 141 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:16,840 Speaker 1: would not show them the same cruelty they once showed him. 142 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:21,480 Speaker 1: The brothers loaded their donkeys with grain and departed swiftly. 143 00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 1: On their way home, they discovered money was returned to them. 144 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:29,840 Speaker 1: Instead of being glad, they trembled, feeling unworthy and uneasy 145 00:09:29,880 --> 00:09:33,480 Speaker 1: about the blessing. What is God doing to us, they 146 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:37,200 Speaker 1: asked themselves. They returned home to their father and told 147 00:09:37,240 --> 00:09:39,840 Speaker 1: him everything that had happened and how they needed to 148 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:44,000 Speaker 1: bring Benjamin back to Egypt to get Simon. Israel was 149 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:48,440 Speaker 1: furious at his sons. You are stripping me of my children, 150 00:09:48,760 --> 00:09:52,600 Speaker 1: he yelled. Joseph is gone, and now Simon is gone, 151 00:09:52,920 --> 00:09:56,520 Speaker 1: and you expect me to give you Benjamin. Reuben could 152 00:09:56,559 --> 00:09:59,959 Speaker 1: no longer stand himself as the oldest he was responsible 153 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:03,800 Speaker 1: for all his brothers. He stood firm and said kill 154 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:06,160 Speaker 1: my two sons. If I do not bring them back 155 00:10:06,160 --> 00:10:10,320 Speaker 1: to you, I will not let them fall. If anything 156 00:10:10,360 --> 00:10:13,760 Speaker 1: would happen to my boy, I would surely dine. Israel said, 157 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:17,800 Speaker 1: for he had already endured so much pain from Joseph. 158 00:10:17,840 --> 00:10:21,560 Speaker 1: So the family delayed in leaving for Egypt again. The 159 00:10:21,679 --> 00:10:25,480 Speaker 1: famine had grown more severe in Israel's family had gone 160 00:10:25,520 --> 00:10:29,079 Speaker 1: through all their grain. He gathered his sons again and said, 161 00:10:29,480 --> 00:10:34,600 Speaker 1: go again to Egypt to buy us more food. Judah replied, saying, 162 00:10:34,920 --> 00:10:38,360 Speaker 1: we were strictly warned to not come back without Benjamin. 163 00:10:39,080 --> 00:10:41,800 Speaker 1: The governor needed proof that we were not lying and 164 00:10:41,920 --> 00:10:44,920 Speaker 1: needed us to bring him back or he would kill Simon. 165 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:49,800 Speaker 1: Send him with me. He will be my responsibility. Their 166 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:53,280 Speaker 1: father relented and sent his sons with Benjamin and many 167 00:10:53,280 --> 00:10:58,240 Speaker 1: gifts of honey, gum, myrrh, pistachios, and almonds, along with 168 00:10:58,360 --> 00:11:02,120 Speaker 1: double the money. The men took the gifts Benjamin and 169 00:11:02,240 --> 00:11:05,959 Speaker 1: double the money as before to stand before Joseph. When 170 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:09,280 Speaker 1: Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he ordered his servants to 171 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:12,800 Speaker 1: prepare an extravagant feast back at his home. When the 172 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:16,600 Speaker 1: brothers arrived to meet Joseph, he was not present rather, 173 00:11:16,679 --> 00:11:21,000 Speaker 1: his servant invited them into his home. Fear overcame the brothers, 174 00:11:21,480 --> 00:11:24,320 Speaker 1: for they fully expected to be punished because they took 175 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:27,600 Speaker 1: the money back with them. They climbed the stairs that 176 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:31,000 Speaker 1: led to Joseph's house, anxiously wondering what would happen to 177 00:11:31,040 --> 00:11:34,200 Speaker 1: them next. They expected to walk through the doors to 178 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:38,439 Speaker 1: Joseph sitting on a throne, ordering the guards to behead them. 179 00:11:38,559 --> 00:11:42,760 Speaker 1: They finally approached the entrance at Joseph's home, opened the doors, 180 00:11:43,280 --> 00:11:47,240 Speaker 1: all to find a royal welcome. Joseph had his servants 181 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:50,120 Speaker 1: take their coats, wash their feet, and give them water. 182 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:53,840 Speaker 1: The brothers apologized for taking the money back to their home. 183 00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:57,840 Speaker 1: Joseph smiled and said, peace to you. There was no 184 00:11:57,920 --> 00:12:00,880 Speaker 1: need to fear your guard, and the God of your 185 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:04,520 Speaker 1: father put that money back in your sex. I received 186 00:12:04,559 --> 00:12:09,200 Speaker 1: your payment. The brothers let themselves relax, and Simon was 187 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:12,560 Speaker 1: released to be with them. They waited for Joseph to 188 00:12:12,600 --> 00:12:16,080 Speaker 1: return at noon and prepared their father's gifts to give him. 189 00:12:16,800 --> 00:12:21,520 Speaker 1: Hours passed, and Joseph finally returned home. The brothers immediately 190 00:12:21,559 --> 00:12:24,520 Speaker 1: bowed down to the ground when they saw him again. 191 00:12:24,559 --> 00:12:28,040 Speaker 1: The memories of Joseph's dreams came flooding back to him. 192 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:31,719 Speaker 1: He thought of his father, his mother, and his homeland. 193 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:35,680 Speaker 1: Joseph had so many questions for them, yet he did 194 00:12:35,720 --> 00:12:39,280 Speaker 1: not want to let his guard down. How is your father, 195 00:12:39,679 --> 00:12:42,240 Speaker 1: he asked, whilst swishing a cup of wine in his hand, 196 00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:45,600 Speaker 1: The old man you spoke of before, Is he well? 197 00:12:46,240 --> 00:12:50,280 Speaker 1: Joseph did his best to not seem too concerned. They 198 00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:54,720 Speaker 1: bowed their heads, still, not answering. Joseph saw his brother, Benjamin, 199 00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:58,720 Speaker 1: his mother's son. Is this the youngest brother you spoke of, 200 00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:03,040 Speaker 1: he asked. He looked into Benjamin's eyes. He had his 201 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:07,559 Speaker 1: mother's eyes. How he missed her? He missed his father, 202 00:13:08,679 --> 00:13:13,160 Speaker 1: He missed Canaan. Joseph could feel himself losing his composure. 203 00:13:13,520 --> 00:13:18,120 Speaker 1: Tears began streaming down his stoic face. Joseph excused himself 204 00:13:18,120 --> 00:13:23,080 Speaker 1: and wept in his room. Anguish, anger, bitterness, love, All 205 00:13:23,120 --> 00:13:26,880 Speaker 1: these emotions overcame him. Joseph washed his face and came 206 00:13:26,920 --> 00:13:31,079 Speaker 1: out again. Controlling himself again, he clapped to his servants 207 00:13:31,080 --> 00:13:34,960 Speaker 1: and said, serve the food, and immediately an entire feast 208 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 1: was brought out before them. He served every brother, though 209 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:41,360 Speaker 1: he did not eat with them yet he served Benjamin 210 00:13:41,440 --> 00:13:44,960 Speaker 1: five times the amount of the others. Joseph wanted to 211 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:48,400 Speaker 1: see how the brothers reacted to favoritism towards the younger brother. 212 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:53,600 Speaker 1: Have they changed, Joseph must have thought to himself. They 213 00:13:53,840 --> 00:13:57,520 Speaker 1: ate drank and were merry together. Joseph then sent them 214 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:00,520 Speaker 1: on their way with their grain. However, he put his 215 00:14:00,559 --> 00:14:04,000 Speaker 1: silver cup in Benjamin's sack so that he might trick them. Later, 216 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:07,800 Speaker 1: as the brothers packed up and began leaving, Joseph ran 217 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:10,720 Speaker 1: out to them. One of you was stolen from me, 218 00:14:11,120 --> 00:14:14,840 Speaker 1: He shouted, why have you repaid my hospitality with evil? 219 00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:19,040 Speaker 1: Joseph acted as the angry king, willing to behead anyone 220 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:22,960 Speaker 1: who defied him. He watched as his brothers trembled with fear. 221 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:27,480 Speaker 1: Joseph took a tagger and walked towards them, slowly, starting 222 00:14:27,480 --> 00:14:30,480 Speaker 1: with the oldest son, working his way down to the youngest. 223 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:33,840 Speaker 1: He tore apart their sacks, looking for the silver cup. 224 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:38,080 Speaker 1: When he came to Benjamin, he found the cup. He 225 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:40,640 Speaker 1: turned to his brothers and said, you may all go 226 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:44,840 Speaker 1: your way in peace, but Benjamin will be my slave forever. 227 00:14:46,240 --> 00:14:49,960 Speaker 1: The brothers tore their clothes and bowed before Joseph, please 228 00:14:50,160 --> 00:14:53,880 Speaker 1: take me instead. All the brothers began to shout they 229 00:14:53,880 --> 00:14:56,000 Speaker 1: were willing to take the place of their brothers so 230 00:14:56,120 --> 00:15:00,560 Speaker 1: he could return back to his father. Joseph welled up 231 00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:04,680 Speaker 1: at the sight of his brothers. They had truly changed now. 232 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:07,360 Speaker 1: They were willing to lay down their own lives so 233 00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:11,800 Speaker 1: their youngest brother could be saved. Joseph couldn't hold in 234 00:15:11,840 --> 00:15:17,600 Speaker 1: his feelings any longer. It's been a very long thirteen 235 00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:21,200 Speaker 1: years since his brothers threw Joseph into the pit and 236 00:15:21,360 --> 00:15:25,840 Speaker 1: betrayed him, selling him as a slave into Egypt. But 237 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:30,200 Speaker 1: God and his providence and perfect plan blessed and protected Joseph, 238 00:15:30,240 --> 00:15:33,800 Speaker 1: and he has now become a very powerful official in Egypt, 239 00:15:34,040 --> 00:15:38,200 Speaker 1: next to Pharaoh himself, Pharaoh's right hand man, the prime 240 00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:41,320 Speaker 1: minister of the nation. And as we just learned in 241 00:15:41,360 --> 00:15:45,200 Speaker 1: the story, after seven years of prosperity, the whole land 242 00:15:45,320 --> 00:15:48,480 Speaker 1: was then hit with seven years of scarcity and hunger. 243 00:15:49,280 --> 00:15:53,120 Speaker 1: It happened just as God said it would. This catastrophe 244 00:15:53,200 --> 00:15:57,000 Speaker 1: of famine struck not only Egypt, but surrounding nations, including Canaan, 245 00:15:57,600 --> 00:16:02,000 Speaker 1: where Joseph's family lived, and these nations all turned to 246 00:16:02,080 --> 00:16:06,280 Speaker 1: Egypt to find the food they desperately needed. So Jacob's sons, 247 00:16:06,800 --> 00:16:11,800 Speaker 1: Joseph's brothers journeyed to purchase provisions for their families. Jacob, 248 00:16:11,880 --> 00:16:15,600 Speaker 1: still hurting grieving from the loss of Joseph, had not 249 00:16:15,680 --> 00:16:19,120 Speaker 1: allowed the youngest son, Benjamin, to make this journey. He 250 00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:21,680 Speaker 1: held him back because he did not want harm to 251 00:16:21,680 --> 00:16:25,080 Speaker 1: befall him. Was he simply being protective or did he 252 00:16:25,280 --> 00:16:28,320 Speaker 1: sinse Did he somehow know that these other sons had 253 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:33,200 Speaker 1: played a part in Joseph's demise. Whatever the reason, is 254 00:16:33,200 --> 00:16:36,520 Speaker 1: clear that thirteen years have not been enough time to 255 00:16:36,520 --> 00:16:39,960 Speaker 1: blow away the darkness and the sadness in Joseph's disappearance 256 00:16:39,960 --> 00:16:44,520 Speaker 1: from the family that still shadowed Jacob's heart. Knowing full 257 00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:47,040 Speaker 1: well what happened, the brother's guilt for what they had 258 00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:50,600 Speaker 1: done weighed heavily on them, coloring every moment of their lives. 259 00:16:51,200 --> 00:16:54,240 Speaker 1: They were living in guilt. You see, there's no way 260 00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:58,440 Speaker 1: getting away from sin and the effect and consequences of sin. 261 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:02,400 Speaker 1: Sin will catch up up with you. When they arrive 262 00:17:02,480 --> 00:17:05,800 Speaker 1: in Egypt and go before Joseph the governor, they bowed 263 00:17:05,800 --> 00:17:09,879 Speaker 1: down before him, and Joseph recognizes them. They do not 264 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:13,600 Speaker 1: recognize him. So as a test, he accuses them of 265 00:17:13,640 --> 00:17:17,240 Speaker 1: being spies. Of course, they claim to be honest men, 266 00:17:17,359 --> 00:17:20,520 Speaker 1: but they knew from experience they were not honest men. 267 00:17:20,640 --> 00:17:25,840 Speaker 1: They were very dishonest, very deceitful. Joseph had a choice. 268 00:17:26,520 --> 00:17:30,359 Speaker 1: He could now enact vengeance, or he could once again 269 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:34,719 Speaker 1: see his father and his youngest brother again. So Joseph 270 00:17:34,840 --> 00:17:38,760 Speaker 1: chooses the latter and gives his brother a test. One 271 00:17:38,840 --> 00:17:41,080 Speaker 1: of them will stay behind his security while the others 272 00:17:41,119 --> 00:17:44,200 Speaker 1: return home and bring back the youngest brother to prove 273 00:17:44,280 --> 00:17:47,640 Speaker 1: that their claims are true. Now there's a lesson here 274 00:17:47,680 --> 00:17:50,439 Speaker 1: about dealing with those who have betrayed you, wronged you, 275 00:17:50,520 --> 00:17:54,520 Speaker 1: disappoint you. While vengeance is not ours, to give a 276 00:17:54,640 --> 00:17:59,440 Speaker 1: cautious approach to reconciliation is always a good thing, especially 277 00:17:59,720 --> 00:18:04,359 Speaker 1: when the wrong has been so wrong. Trust must be 278 00:18:04,480 --> 00:18:08,680 Speaker 1: earned again, even if there has been forgiveness. Before they leave, 279 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:12,640 Speaker 1: we already see Joseph's heart softening towards his brothers as 280 00:18:12,680 --> 00:18:15,679 Speaker 1: he returns to them without their knowledge the money that 281 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:17,560 Speaker 1: they had given for the food that they would take 282 00:18:17,560 --> 00:18:21,919 Speaker 1: back home, leaving Simeon behind. The brothers return home and 283 00:18:22,040 --> 00:18:25,440 Speaker 1: give a report. Jacob is not at first willing to 284 00:18:25,520 --> 00:18:29,320 Speaker 1: let Benjamin, his beloved youngest son, make the trip to Egypt, 285 00:18:29,680 --> 00:18:31,960 Speaker 1: but he knew the food that they now had would 286 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:34,520 Speaker 1: soon run out, and they must go back to Egypt 287 00:18:34,600 --> 00:18:41,480 Speaker 1: and take Benjamin with them. Jacob relents regretfully. Upon their return, 288 00:18:41,600 --> 00:18:45,160 Speaker 1: Joseph provides a feast, a big party. It's an opportunity 289 00:18:45,240 --> 00:18:48,320 Speaker 1: to observe the brothers more closely, especially to see how 290 00:18:48,320 --> 00:18:52,080 Speaker 1: they are treating Benjamin. Joseph goes to great length to 291 00:18:52,119 --> 00:18:55,640 Speaker 1: show Benjamin very special treatment so he can watch how 292 00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:59,760 Speaker 1: the other brothers react. Joseph is in a struggle. He's 293 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:03,360 Speaker 1: ruggling between the kindness that he's giving towards his brothers, 294 00:19:03,480 --> 00:19:07,000 Speaker 1: and yet still thinking, still scheming how he can find 295 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:12,679 Speaker 1: vengeance and how he could keep Benjamin for himself. Hiding 296 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 1: his cup in Benjamin's pack, he accuses the men of stealing. 297 00:19:16,560 --> 00:19:19,680 Speaker 1: When the cup is found, he says Benjamin must be 298 00:19:19,800 --> 00:19:23,520 Speaker 1: his slave forever and they must return home. The brothers 299 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:26,920 Speaker 1: cannot bear to think of returning to Jacob without Benjamin. 300 00:19:27,440 --> 00:19:32,240 Speaker 1: They plead for him to be released. Finally, Joseph's brother 301 00:19:32,400 --> 00:19:36,399 Speaker 1: Judah speaks up and offers himself as a slave in 302 00:19:36,520 --> 00:19:41,359 Speaker 1: Benjamin's place. This appears to be a changed man, and 303 00:19:41,520 --> 00:19:45,919 Speaker 1: this realization breaks Joseph. The next time, we're going to 304 00:19:45,920 --> 00:19:49,160 Speaker 1: see how he responds and how God, in his faithfulness, 305 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:55,520 Speaker 1: brings about reconciliation between long lost brothers. Dear Lord, we 306 00:19:55,640 --> 00:19:58,120 Speaker 1: know that you can bring healing even in the most 307 00:19:58,160 --> 00:20:02,280 Speaker 1: broken situation. Help us to reflect upon your grace and 308 00:20:02,400 --> 00:20:05,760 Speaker 1: mercy and how much you have forgiven us, and that 309 00:20:05,800 --> 00:20:08,360 Speaker 1: we can actually forgive others when they have wronged us 310 00:20:08,359 --> 00:20:11,440 Speaker 1: as you have taught us. Thank you for your faithfulness 311 00:20:11,480 --> 00:20:16,359 Speaker 1: always in our lives. In Christ's name. Amen, Thank you 312 00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:19,760 Speaker 1: for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm 313 00:20:19,880 --> 00:20:23,040 Speaker 1: pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download the Prey dot 314 00:20:23,080 --> 00:20:26,119 Speaker 1: com app and make prayer a priority in your life. 315 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:29,159 Speaker 1: And if you enjoyed this podcast, share it with someone 316 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:32,040 Speaker 1: you know. By sharing this podcast, you can make a 317 00:20:32,119 --> 00:20:35,840 Speaker 1: difference in their lives. And if you want more resources 318 00:20:36,440 --> 00:20:39,639 Speaker 1: as to how to discover God's perfect plan and power 319 00:20:39,720 --> 00:20:43,480 Speaker 1: for your life, be sure to visit Jack Graham dot org. 320 00:20:48,760 --> 00:20:53,040 Speaker 1: This episode is sponsored by Medashare, an innovative healthcare solution 321 00:20:53,119 --> 00:20:56,760 Speaker 1: for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.