1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:05,360 Speaker 1: Let us pray, and he said, behold, I have heard 2 00:00:05,440 --> 00:00:08,920 Speaker 1: that there is corn in Egypt. Get you down thither 3 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:11,800 Speaker 1: and buy for us from thence that we may live 4 00:00:12,039 --> 00:00:18,799 Speaker 1: and not die Genesis forty two two. Heavenly Father, to day, 5 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:23,919 Speaker 1: I choose to praise you Lord in the midst of famines, recessions, 6 00:00:23,920 --> 00:00:28,480 Speaker 1: and lack throughout the nation and in other countries, because 7 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:33,080 Speaker 1: I know that I will not be effected. You've given 8 00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:38,479 Speaker 1: me divine strategy to experience abundance and provision. I praise 9 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: you Lord for the simple fact that in the economy 10 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 1: of Heaven there is no such thing as a recession. 11 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:49,320 Speaker 1: I declare that, as your child, you give me access 12 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:54,640 Speaker 1: to your resources that never run out. Therefore, I will 13 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:58,280 Speaker 1: position myself for increase. I will go to the places 14 00:00:58,280 --> 00:01:02,840 Speaker 1: where your provision and peace are in abundance. I confess 15 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:05,640 Speaker 1: that when I come in contact with those who've wronged me, 16 00:01:06,319 --> 00:01:09,040 Speaker 1: I will not use my position of power and influence 17 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:13,680 Speaker 1: to get revenge, but instead will use it to show 18 00:01:13,760 --> 00:01:20,080 Speaker 1: grace and forgiveness, generosity and kindness. Every good gift comes 19 00:01:20,080 --> 00:01:23,600 Speaker 1: from You, God, And with this truth, I will remind 20 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:28,920 Speaker 1: myself that I am blessed to be a blessing. I 21 00:01:28,959 --> 00:01:32,120 Speaker 1: will remind myself that I walk through open doors because 22 00:01:32,160 --> 00:01:36,039 Speaker 1: I am called to help others walk through them. Allelujah. 23 00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:40,559 Speaker 1: I thank you God that opportunities and increase are all 24 00:01:40,760 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 1: around me in Jesus name, Amen, thank you for making 25 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 1: prayer a priority in your day. To learn more about 26 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:55,920 Speaker 1: the Bible, stay tuned for today's story, brought to you 27 00:01:56,240 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 1: by Bible in a Year dot Com. 28 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:12,600 Speaker 2: Returning to Egypt. Before this story, we learned about how 29 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:16,640 Speaker 2: Joseph waited patiently in prison. He was finally able to 30 00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:20,959 Speaker 2: interpret dreams, which eventually promoted him to be second in command. 31 00:02:21,639 --> 00:02:25,120 Speaker 2: Joseph was put in charge of preparing for the coming famine, 32 00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:29,360 Speaker 2: which would eventually spread throughout the entire land. Now we 33 00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:32,880 Speaker 2: will learn about how Joseph's brothers went to Egypt to 34 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:36,919 Speaker 2: buy grain during that great famine. However, they were unable 35 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:44,600 Speaker 2: to recognize Joseph. Inspired by the Book of Genesis, Hello. 36 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:47,280 Speaker 3: I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible in 37 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:50,799 Speaker 3: a Year podcast. In our last episode, we learned that 38 00:02:50,919 --> 00:02:54,519 Speaker 3: Joseph was able to rise to a position of incredible power, 39 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:58,680 Speaker 3: the second most powerful man in all of Egypt, the 40 00:02:58,760 --> 00:03:04,120 Speaker 3: Prime Minister. God used Joseph to interpret Pharaoh's disturbing dreams 41 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:07,200 Speaker 3: and warn him about an upcoming seven year famine that 42 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:11,120 Speaker 3: would follow seven years of abundance. Joseph was then put 43 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:13,800 Speaker 3: in charge of the plan to store grain and prepare 44 00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:17,320 Speaker 3: for the lean years. And when we catch up with 45 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:20,680 Speaker 3: him in today's reading, the plentiful years have passed, and 46 00:03:20,800 --> 00:03:25,200 Speaker 3: under Joseph's careful guidance and governance, food has been stored 47 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:29,240 Speaker 3: in preparation for the famine. And now the famine comes. 48 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:32,560 Speaker 3: We'll see how this time of great need had swept 49 00:03:32,639 --> 00:03:35,800 Speaker 3: far and wide beyond Egypt and into Canaan, where Jacob, 50 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:42,680 Speaker 3: Joseph's father, and Jacob's sons, Joseph's brothers were living. Joseph's 51 00:03:42,680 --> 00:03:45,200 Speaker 3: brothers will travel into the land of Egypt to beg 52 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 3: for help, not knowing that it was the brother whom 53 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:52,680 Speaker 3: they had betrayed, that they were their face. There's so 54 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 3: much to watch for in this reading. Pay close attention 55 00:03:56,280 --> 00:04:00,240 Speaker 3: to Joseph's reaction when he recognizes his brother's Reuben and 56 00:04:00,320 --> 00:04:03,960 Speaker 3: Judah and the others. Imagine how you would feel in 57 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:08,280 Speaker 3: a situation like this. Now you are finally able to 58 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:13,840 Speaker 3: either take revenge or show mercy. What will Joseph do 59 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:17,240 Speaker 3: with this opportunity. Will he continue to show kindness and 60 00:04:17,320 --> 00:04:20,279 Speaker 3: integrity as he did for such a long time in captivity, 61 00:04:21,080 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 3: or will bitterness get the best of him? Will he 62 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:27,279 Speaker 3: seethe with anger and rage and bring judgment on those 63 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:31,359 Speaker 3: who harmed him. Let's listen now to find out exactly 64 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 3: what happens. 65 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:36,760 Speaker 2: Just as God had revealed through Joseph, the famines spread 66 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:42,600 Speaker 2: like wildfire throughout the land, blighted and desolate. Farmlands became barren, 67 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:47,880 Speaker 2: and livestock starved and died. It came like a plague, 68 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:52,680 Speaker 2: and the entire countryside fell in despair. Egypt, however, was 69 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:57,279 Speaker 2: able to withstand the fatal famine. As Joseph instructed, one 70 00:04:57,400 --> 00:05:00,200 Speaker 2: fifth of all that was grown the past seven years 71 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:04,760 Speaker 2: were kept safe and distributed carefully across the plains towards 72 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 2: the north. Jacob and his family hurt from the famine. 73 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:11,680 Speaker 2: Their food had become scarce, and the family had no 74 00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:15,840 Speaker 2: choice but to look to Egypt for help. Israel looked 75 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:19,279 Speaker 2: at his sons doing nothing and said, why do you 76 00:05:19,320 --> 00:05:22,160 Speaker 2: all look at each other? He asked, I have heard 77 00:05:22,200 --> 00:05:25,159 Speaker 2: that there is grain for sale in Egypt. Go down 78 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:27,360 Speaker 2: and buy grain for us there so that we may 79 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:32,159 Speaker 2: not die. So ten of Joseph's brothers journeyed south to Egypt, 80 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:36,680 Speaker 2: but Israel did not send Benjamin, Joseph's younger brother, for 81 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:39,760 Speaker 2: fear that he would be hurt as Joseph was. The 82 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:43,440 Speaker 2: sons of Israel ventured forth to Egypt, not knowing they 83 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:46,440 Speaker 2: would be coming face to face with their past sins. 84 00:05:47,160 --> 00:05:50,360 Speaker 2: Joseph was the governor over the land and oversaw all 85 00:05:50,440 --> 00:05:54,679 Speaker 2: transactions between other countries and the grain. A long line 86 00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:59,040 Speaker 2: of people stood before Joseph, pleading for food. Joseph peered 87 00:05:59,040 --> 00:06:02,720 Speaker 2: across the sea of faces and caught glimpses of his brothers. 88 00:06:03,440 --> 00:06:07,159 Speaker 2: Waves of memories began flooding back to him, memories of 89 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:10,919 Speaker 2: being thrown into a pit, shackled, and shipped away. He 90 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:14,760 Speaker 2: recognized them instantly, but they stood before him with no 91 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:18,920 Speaker 2: clue of who he really was. When they stood before him, 92 00:06:19,160 --> 00:06:22,359 Speaker 2: Joseph treated them like strangers and said, where do you 93 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:25,640 Speaker 2: come from? He spoke with a rough voice, reeling from 94 00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:29,080 Speaker 2: the emotions of seeing his betrayers again, from the land 95 00:06:29,120 --> 00:06:32,400 Speaker 2: of Canaan to buy food. They answered in a tone 96 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 2: of reverence, for they were speaking to the second most 97 00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:40,800 Speaker 2: powerful man in all Egypt. They bowed before him. Instantly, 98 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:44,599 Speaker 2: a rush of images flooded back into Joseph's mind, the 99 00:06:44,680 --> 00:06:47,800 Speaker 2: dreams he had once dreamed of his brother's bowing before him. 100 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 2: Now coming to fruition, Joseph did his best to compose himself. 101 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:57,520 Speaker 2: You are spies, he said, crossly. You have come to 102 00:06:57,520 --> 00:07:00,360 Speaker 2: see the vulnerability of the land, so you can take it. 103 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:05,480 Speaker 2: He pointed to them. They trembled at Joseph's accusations. No Lord, 104 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:08,400 Speaker 2: they shouted, Your servants have come to buy food, and 105 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:10,840 Speaker 2: that is all. We are sons of one man, and 106 00:07:10,920 --> 00:07:13,760 Speaker 2: we are ten of twelve. One brother is at home 107 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:16,360 Speaker 2: with our father, and the other is dead. We are 108 00:07:16,440 --> 00:07:20,320 Speaker 2: honest men, we promise. Joseph scoffed at the sound of 109 00:07:20,360 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 2: them claiming to be honest men. Knowing full well what 110 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:26,800 Speaker 2: they had done to him, Joseph decided to test their 111 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:30,000 Speaker 2: claims by keeping them captive until one of them brought 112 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:33,880 Speaker 2: back their youngest brother. For three days he held them 113 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:37,640 Speaker 2: in custody, Joseph's heart ached every moment he was in 114 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:41,240 Speaker 2: the presence of his brothers. On the third day, Joseph 115 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:44,640 Speaker 2: came to the brothers and said to them, I fear God, 116 00:07:45,600 --> 00:07:48,160 Speaker 2: do this and I will let you free. Let one 117 00:07:48,200 --> 00:07:50,400 Speaker 2: of your brothers remain here while the rest of you 118 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:54,480 Speaker 2: take grain to your father. Then bring your youngest brother 119 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:58,040 Speaker 2: back to me so I can verify your claims. The 120 00:07:58,080 --> 00:08:02,760 Speaker 2: brothers did exactly as Joseph woort. They began packing, afraid 121 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:05,880 Speaker 2: of what would happen next. God began to work in 122 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 2: the hearts of the brothers. They spoke among one another, saying, 123 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:13,040 Speaker 2: we all know why this is happening to us. We 124 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:16,840 Speaker 2: caused our youngest brother, Joseph pain and suffering, and he 125 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:18,880 Speaker 2: begged us to show him mercy, but we did not. 126 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:24,200 Speaker 2: Now we are being punished by putting Benjamin at risk. Reuben, 127 00:08:24,600 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 2: the oldest, answered them and said, did I not tell 128 00:08:28,440 --> 00:08:32,160 Speaker 2: you to leave the boy alone? You didn't listen. Now 129 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:34,920 Speaker 2: God has required a reckoning from us for his blood. 130 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:38,559 Speaker 2: All the while Joseph was listening, for they did not 131 00:08:38,720 --> 00:08:41,760 Speaker 2: know that he spoke their language because he used an interpreter. 132 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:47,320 Speaker 2: As the brothers continued packing, Joseph turned away and wept 133 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:51,160 Speaker 2: alone in secret. He looked to God, his heart breaking 134 00:08:51,240 --> 00:08:53,960 Speaker 2: over what he was doing to his brothers. Yet a 135 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:56,640 Speaker 2: part of him did not trust them. Enough to reveal himself. 136 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:00,280 Speaker 2: Wiping away his tears, he came back to them. He 137 00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:03,000 Speaker 2: took Simon from them and bound him in ropes. In 138 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 2: front of his brothers. Joseph gave orders to his servants 139 00:09:06,520 --> 00:09:08,840 Speaker 2: to give his brothers their money back in the bags 140 00:09:08,840 --> 00:09:11,680 Speaker 2: of grain. He also ordered for them to be given 141 00:09:11,720 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 2: extra for the journey home. Though Joseph was cross with them, 142 00:09:16,080 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 2: he would not show them the same cruelty they once 143 00:09:18,559 --> 00:09:22,680 Speaker 2: showed him. The brothers loaded their donkeys with grain and 144 00:09:22,760 --> 00:09:26,520 Speaker 2: departed swiftly. On their way home, they discovered money was 145 00:09:26,559 --> 00:09:30,520 Speaker 2: returned to them. Instead of being glad, they trembled, feeling 146 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:34,959 Speaker 2: unworthy and uneasy about the blessing. What is God doing 147 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 2: to us, they asked themselves. They returned home to their 148 00:09:38,760 --> 00:09:41,640 Speaker 2: father and told him everything that had happened and how 149 00:09:41,640 --> 00:09:44,679 Speaker 2: they needed to bring Benjamin back to Egypt to get Simon. 150 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:49,680 Speaker 2: Israel was furious at his son's You are stripping me 151 00:09:49,840 --> 00:09:53,880 Speaker 2: of my children, he yelled. Joseph is gone, and now 152 00:09:53,920 --> 00:09:57,199 Speaker 2: Simon is gone, and you expect me to give you Benjamin. 153 00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:01,520 Speaker 2: Reuben could no longer stand himself as the oldest he 154 00:10:01,640 --> 00:10:05,400 Speaker 2: was responsible for all his brothers. He stood firm and said, 155 00:10:05,920 --> 00:10:08,280 Speaker 2: kill my two sons. If I do not bring them 156 00:10:08,280 --> 00:10:12,319 Speaker 2: back to you, I will not let them fall. If 157 00:10:12,360 --> 00:10:14,880 Speaker 2: anything would happen to my boy, I would surely die. 158 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:18,760 Speaker 2: Israel said, for he had already endured so much pain 159 00:10:18,800 --> 00:10:22,720 Speaker 2: from Joseph. So the family delayed in leaving for Egypt again. 160 00:10:23,840 --> 00:10:27,480 Speaker 2: The famine had grown more severe in Israel's family had 161 00:10:27,520 --> 00:10:30,880 Speaker 2: gone through all their grain. He gathered his sons again 162 00:10:30,960 --> 00:10:34,360 Speaker 2: and said, go again to Egypt to buy us more food. 163 00:10:35,559 --> 00:10:39,560 Speaker 2: Judah replied, saying we were strictly warned to not come 164 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:43,160 Speaker 2: back without Benjamin. The governor needed proof that we were 165 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:46,120 Speaker 2: not lying and needed us to bring him back or 166 00:10:46,160 --> 00:10:49,960 Speaker 2: he would kill Simon. Send him with me. He will 167 00:10:49,960 --> 00:10:54,280 Speaker 2: be my responsibility. Their father relented and sent his sons 168 00:10:54,280 --> 00:10:59,080 Speaker 2: with Benjamin and many gifts of honey, gum, muh, pistachios, 169 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:02,640 Speaker 2: and almonds, along with double the money. So the men 170 00:11:02,679 --> 00:11:05,880 Speaker 2: took the gifts Benjamin and double the money as before 171 00:11:06,160 --> 00:11:10,000 Speaker 2: to stand before Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, 172 00:11:10,360 --> 00:11:13,559 Speaker 2: he ordered his servants to prepare an extravagant feast back 173 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 2: at his home. When the brothers arrived to meet Joseph, 174 00:11:17,120 --> 00:11:20,560 Speaker 2: he was not present. Rather, his servant invited them into 175 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:25,120 Speaker 2: his home. Fear overcame the brothers, for they fully expected 176 00:11:25,120 --> 00:11:28,280 Speaker 2: to be punished because they took the money back with them. 177 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 2: They climbed the stairs that led to Joseph's house, anxiously wondering. 178 00:11:32,559 --> 00:11:33,880 Speaker 3: What would happen to them next. 179 00:11:34,720 --> 00:11:37,440 Speaker 2: They expected to walk through the doors to Joseph sitting 180 00:11:37,440 --> 00:11:41,080 Speaker 2: on a throne, ordering the guards to behead them. They 181 00:11:41,120 --> 00:11:45,160 Speaker 2: finally approached the entrance of Joseph's home, opened the doors, 182 00:11:45,679 --> 00:11:49,600 Speaker 2: all to find a royal welcome. Joseph had his servants 183 00:11:49,640 --> 00:11:52,480 Speaker 2: take their coats, wash their feet, and give them water. 184 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 2: The brothers apologized for taking the money back to their home. 185 00:11:56,840 --> 00:12:00,439 Speaker 2: Joseph smiled and said, peace to you. There's no need 186 00:12:00,480 --> 00:12:03,560 Speaker 2: to fear your god and the god of your father. 187 00:12:03,640 --> 00:12:07,520 Speaker 2: Put that money back in your sex. I received your payment. 188 00:12:08,559 --> 00:12:12,360 Speaker 2: The brothers let themselves relax, and Simon was released to 189 00:12:12,440 --> 00:12:15,480 Speaker 2: be with them. They waited for Joseph to return at 190 00:12:15,520 --> 00:12:20,120 Speaker 2: noon and prepared their father's gifts to give him. Hours passed, 191 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:24,480 Speaker 2: and Joseph finally returned home. The brothers immediately bowed down 192 00:12:24,520 --> 00:12:27,480 Speaker 2: to the ground when they saw him again. The memories 193 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:29,679 Speaker 2: of Joseph's dreams came flooding. 194 00:12:29,320 --> 00:12:29,920 Speaker 1: Back to him. 195 00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:34,040 Speaker 2: He thought of his father, his mother, and his homeland. 196 00:12:34,800 --> 00:12:38,040 Speaker 2: Joseph had so many questions for them, yet he did 197 00:12:38,040 --> 00:12:41,600 Speaker 2: not want to let his guard down. How is your father, 198 00:12:42,040 --> 00:12:44,560 Speaker 2: he asked, whilst swishing a cup of wine in his hand, 199 00:12:45,360 --> 00:12:48,000 Speaker 2: The old man you spoke of before, Is he well? 200 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:52,640 Speaker 2: Joseph did his best to not seem too concerned. They 201 00:12:52,720 --> 00:12:57,079 Speaker 2: bowed their heads, still not answering. Joseph saw his brother, Benjamin, 202 00:12:57,400 --> 00:13:01,040 Speaker 2: his mother's son. Is this the younger brother you spoke of, 203 00:13:01,360 --> 00:13:05,360 Speaker 2: he asked. He looked into Benjamin's eyes. He had his 204 00:13:05,480 --> 00:13:06,120 Speaker 2: mother's eyes. 205 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:07,880 Speaker 3: How he missed her? 206 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:13,920 Speaker 2: He missed his father, He missed Canaan. Joseph could feel 207 00:13:13,960 --> 00:13:18,480 Speaker 2: himself losing his composure. Tears began streaming down his stoic face. 208 00:13:19,120 --> 00:13:24,920 Speaker 2: Joseph excused himself and wept in his room. Anguish, anger, bitterness, love, 209 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:28,960 Speaker 2: All these emotions overcame him. Joseph washed his face and 210 00:13:29,040 --> 00:13:32,960 Speaker 2: came out again. Controlling himself again, he clapped to his 211 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:36,880 Speaker 2: servants and said, serve the food, and immediately an entire 212 00:13:36,920 --> 00:13:40,199 Speaker 2: feast was brought out before them. He served every brother, 213 00:13:40,520 --> 00:13:43,160 Speaker 2: though he did not eat with them, yet he served 214 00:13:43,240 --> 00:13:47,200 Speaker 2: Benjamin five times the amount of the others. Joseph wanted 215 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:50,000 Speaker 2: to see how the brothers reacted to favoritism towards the 216 00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:54,800 Speaker 2: younger brother. Have they changed, Joseph must have thought to himself. 217 00:13:55,760 --> 00:13:59,600 Speaker 2: They ate, drank and were merry together. Joseph then sent 218 00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:02,760 Speaker 2: them on the away with their grain. However, he put 219 00:14:02,760 --> 00:14:05,520 Speaker 2: his silver cup in Benjamin's sack so that he might 220 00:14:05,559 --> 00:14:09,200 Speaker 2: trick them. Later, as the brothers packed up and began leaving, 221 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:12,680 Speaker 2: Joseph ran out to them. One of you was stolen 222 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:16,520 Speaker 2: from me, He shouted, Why have you repaid my hospitality 223 00:14:16,559 --> 00:14:20,600 Speaker 2: with evil? Joseph acted as the angry king, willing to 224 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:24,240 Speaker 2: behead anyone who defied him. He watched as his brothers 225 00:14:24,360 --> 00:14:28,960 Speaker 2: trembled with fear. Joseph took a tagger and walked towards them, slowly, 226 00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:32,200 Speaker 2: starting with the oldest son, working his way down to 227 00:14:32,240 --> 00:14:35,200 Speaker 2: the youngest. He tore apart their sacks, looking for the 228 00:14:35,320 --> 00:14:39,360 Speaker 2: silver cup. When he came to Benjamin, he found the cup. 229 00:14:40,360 --> 00:14:42,880 Speaker 2: He turned to his brothers and said, you may all 230 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:45,880 Speaker 2: go your way in peace, but Benjamin will be my 231 00:14:46,040 --> 00:14:51,760 Speaker 2: slave forever. The brothers tore their clothes and bowed before Joseph, 232 00:14:51,960 --> 00:14:55,360 Speaker 2: please take me instead or The brothers began to shout 233 00:14:56,080 --> 00:14:58,160 Speaker 2: they were willing to take the place of their brother 234 00:14:58,280 --> 00:15:02,680 Speaker 2: so he could return back to his farm. Joseph welled 235 00:15:02,760 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 2: up at the sight of his brothers. They had truly 236 00:15:05,600 --> 00:15:08,800 Speaker 2: changed now they were willing to lay down their own 237 00:15:08,840 --> 00:15:13,720 Speaker 2: lives so their youngest brother could be saved. Joseph couldn't 238 00:15:13,720 --> 00:15:15,640 Speaker 2: hold in his feelings any longer. 239 00:15:18,120 --> 00:15:21,440 Speaker 3: It's been a very long thirteen years since his brothers 240 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:25,480 Speaker 3: threw Joseph into the pit and betrayed him, selling him 241 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:29,480 Speaker 3: as a slave into Egypt. But God and his providence 242 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:33,160 Speaker 3: and perfect plan blessed and protected Joseph, and he has 243 00:15:33,240 --> 00:15:36,760 Speaker 3: now become a very powerful official in Egypt, next to 244 00:15:36,840 --> 00:15:41,160 Speaker 3: Pharaoh himself, Pharaoh's right hand man, the prime minister of 245 00:15:41,200 --> 00:15:44,280 Speaker 3: the nation. And as we just learned in the story, 246 00:15:44,680 --> 00:15:47,920 Speaker 3: after seven years of prosperity, the whole land was then 247 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:52,360 Speaker 3: hit with seven years of scarcity and hunger. It happened 248 00:15:52,480 --> 00:15:56,000 Speaker 3: just as God said it would. This catastrophe of famines 249 00:15:56,040 --> 00:16:00,200 Speaker 3: struck not only Egypt, but surrounding nations, including Canaan, where 250 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:04,760 Speaker 3: Joseph's family lived, and these nations all turned to Egypt 251 00:16:04,840 --> 00:16:08,640 Speaker 3: to find the food they desperately needed. So Jacob's sons, 252 00:16:09,120 --> 00:16:14,120 Speaker 3: Joseph's brothers, journeyed to purchase provisions for their families. Jacob, 253 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:17,920 Speaker 3: still hurting grieving from the loss of Joseph, had not 254 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:21,480 Speaker 3: allowed the youngest son, Benjamin, to make this journey. He 255 00:16:21,480 --> 00:16:23,960 Speaker 3: held him back because he did not want harm to 256 00:16:24,040 --> 00:16:27,440 Speaker 3: befall him. Was he simply being protective or did he 257 00:16:27,600 --> 00:16:30,640 Speaker 3: sense did he somehow know that these other sons had 258 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:35,360 Speaker 3: played a part in Joseph's demise. Whatever the reason, it 259 00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:38,640 Speaker 3: is clear that thirteen years have not been enough time 260 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:41,640 Speaker 3: to blow away the darkness and the sadness in Joseph's 261 00:16:41,680 --> 00:16:46,600 Speaker 3: disappearance from the family that still shadowed Jacob's heart. Knowing 262 00:16:46,640 --> 00:16:49,240 Speaker 3: full well what happened, the brother's guilt for what they 263 00:16:49,240 --> 00:16:52,360 Speaker 3: had done weighed heavily on them, coloring every moment of 264 00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:56,120 Speaker 3: their lives. They were living in guilt. You see, there's 265 00:16:56,160 --> 00:16:59,200 Speaker 3: no way getting away from sin and the effect and 266 00:16:59,320 --> 00:17:04,280 Speaker 3: consequence of sin, sin will catch up with you. When 267 00:17:04,320 --> 00:17:07,160 Speaker 3: they arrive in Egypt and go before Joseph the governor, 268 00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:11,840 Speaker 3: they bow down before him, and Joseph recognizes them. They 269 00:17:11,880 --> 00:17:15,560 Speaker 3: do not recognize him. So as a test, he accuses 270 00:17:15,640 --> 00:17:19,000 Speaker 3: them of being spies. Of course, they claim to be 271 00:17:19,040 --> 00:17:21,919 Speaker 3: honest men, but they knew from experience they were not 272 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:27,639 Speaker 3: honest men. They were very dishonest, very deceitful. Joseph had 273 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:32,080 Speaker 3: a choice. He could now enact vengeance, or he could 274 00:17:32,119 --> 00:17:35,399 Speaker 3: once again see his father and his youngest brother again. 275 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:40,000 Speaker 3: So Joseph chooses the latter and gives his brother a test. 276 00:17:40,960 --> 00:17:43,119 Speaker 3: One of them will stay behind his security while the 277 00:17:43,119 --> 00:17:46,119 Speaker 3: others return home and bring back the youngest brother to 278 00:17:46,240 --> 00:17:49,760 Speaker 3: prove that their claims are true. Now there's a lesson 279 00:17:49,800 --> 00:17:52,760 Speaker 3: here about dealing with those who have betrayed you, wronged you, 280 00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:56,919 Speaker 3: disappoint you. While vengeance is not ours, to give a 281 00:17:57,000 --> 00:18:01,760 Speaker 3: cautious approach to reconciliation is always a good thing, especially 282 00:18:02,119 --> 00:18:06,720 Speaker 3: when the wrong has been so wrong. Trust must be 283 00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:11,119 Speaker 3: earned again, even if there has been forgiveness. Before they leave, 284 00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:14,960 Speaker 3: we already see Joseph's heart softening towards his brothers as 285 00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:18,000 Speaker 3: he returns to them without their knowledge the money that 286 00:18:18,040 --> 00:18:19,880 Speaker 3: they had given for the food that they would take 287 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:24,280 Speaker 3: back home, leaving Simeon behind. The brothers return home and 288 00:18:24,359 --> 00:18:27,760 Speaker 3: give a report. Jacob is not at first willing to 289 00:18:27,840 --> 00:18:31,640 Speaker 3: let Benjamin, his beloved youngest son, make the trip to Egypt, 290 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:34,320 Speaker 3: but he knew the food that they now had would 291 00:18:34,359 --> 00:18:36,840 Speaker 3: soon run out, and they must go back to Egypt 292 00:18:36,960 --> 00:18:43,800 Speaker 3: and take Benjamin with them. Jacob relents regretfully. Upon their return, 293 00:18:43,920 --> 00:18:47,520 Speaker 3: Joseph provides a feast, a big party. It's an opportunity 294 00:18:47,600 --> 00:18:50,640 Speaker 3: to observe the brothers more closely, especially to see how 295 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:54,399 Speaker 3: they are treating Benjamin. Joseph goes to great length to 296 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:57,959 Speaker 3: show Benjamin very special treatment so he can watch how 297 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:02,160 Speaker 3: the other brothers react. Joseph is in a struggle. He's 298 00:19:02,160 --> 00:19:05,680 Speaker 3: struggling between the kindness that he's giving towards his brothers, 299 00:19:05,800 --> 00:19:09,560 Speaker 3: and yet still thinking, still scheming how he can find 300 00:19:09,960 --> 00:19:15,000 Speaker 3: vengeance and how he could keep Benjamin for himself. Hiding 301 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:18,120 Speaker 3: his cup in Benjamin's pack, he accuses the men of stealing. 302 00:19:18,920 --> 00:19:22,040 Speaker 3: When the cup is found, he says Benjamin must be 303 00:19:22,119 --> 00:19:25,840 Speaker 3: his slave forever and they must return home. The brothers 304 00:19:25,840 --> 00:19:29,320 Speaker 3: cannot bear to think of returning to Jacob without Benjamin. 305 00:19:29,800 --> 00:19:34,600 Speaker 3: They plead for him to be released. Finally, Joseph's brother 306 00:19:34,720 --> 00:19:38,760 Speaker 3: Judah speaks up and offers himself as a slave in 307 00:19:38,840 --> 00:19:43,800 Speaker 3: Benjamin's place. This appears to be a changed man, and 308 00:19:43,880 --> 00:19:48,240 Speaker 3: this realization breaks Joseph. The next time, we're going to 309 00:19:48,280 --> 00:19:51,520 Speaker 3: see how he responds and how God, in his faithfulness, 310 00:19:51,520 --> 00:19:57,919 Speaker 3: brings about reconciliation between long lost brothers. Dear Lord, we 311 00:19:58,000 --> 00:20:01,720 Speaker 3: know that you can bring healing the most broken situation. 312 00:20:02,720 --> 00:20:05,199 Speaker 3: Help us to reflect upon your grace and mercy and 313 00:20:05,240 --> 00:20:08,440 Speaker 3: how much you have forgiven us, and that we can 314 00:20:08,520 --> 00:20:11,000 Speaker 3: actually forgive others when they have wronged us as you 315 00:20:11,040 --> 00:20:14,439 Speaker 3: have taught us. Thank you for your faithfulness always in 316 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:19,280 Speaker 3: our lives. In Christ's name. Amen. Thank you for listening 317 00:20:19,320 --> 00:20:22,880 Speaker 3: to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm pastor Jack 318 00:20:22,960 --> 00:20:26,439 Speaker 3: Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download Theprey dot com app and 319 00:20:26,480 --> 00:20:29,240 Speaker 3: make prayer a priority in your life. And if you 320 00:20:29,440 --> 00:20:32,600 Speaker 3: enjoyed this podcast, share it with someone you know. By 321 00:20:32,640 --> 00:20:35,560 Speaker 3: sharing this podcast, you can make a difference in their lives. 322 00:20:36,040 --> 00:20:39,520 Speaker 3: And if you want more resources as to how to 323 00:20:39,560 --> 00:20:43,159 Speaker 3: discover God's perfect plan and power for your life, be 324 00:20:43,280 --> 00:20:45,840 Speaker 3: sure to visit Jack Graham dot org.