1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:04,520 Speaker 1: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 2 00:00:05,519 --> 00:00:11,080 Speaker 1: Matthew six twenty one. You are my treasure Lord. Your 3 00:00:11,119 --> 00:00:14,920 Speaker 1: relationship is what I value most in life. I can 4 00:00:14,960 --> 00:00:19,520 Speaker 1: live without anything or any one except you. I seek 5 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:24,160 Speaker 1: you for you and only you fascinate me with your love. 6 00:00:25,239 --> 00:00:27,760 Speaker 1: I want to be where you are, no matter where 7 00:00:27,760 --> 00:00:30,960 Speaker 1: that is. If I know you are with me, I 8 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:34,680 Speaker 1: am safe and you will protect me. There is no 9 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:37,519 Speaker 1: one who dazzles me with the wonder and wisdom of 10 00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:42,080 Speaker 1: their ways like you do. You constantly challenge my attention 11 00:00:42,800 --> 00:00:44,879 Speaker 1: and keep me thinking about what you are trying to 12 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:49,159 Speaker 1: teach me and the circumstances I am confronted with. I 13 00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:53,640 Speaker 1: am constantly meditating on how to understand the complexity yet 14 00:00:53,720 --> 00:00:58,000 Speaker 1: the simplicity of your ways. There is hidden treasure in 15 00:00:58,160 --> 00:01:01,800 Speaker 1: every nugget of wisdom I mind. Out of the pressures 16 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:05,600 Speaker 1: of life. I know the trial I overcome in this 17 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:09,280 Speaker 1: life will be rewarded in heaven, and that's where my 18 00:01:09,360 --> 00:01:14,840 Speaker 1: treasure is. When I deny myself and sacrificially give to others, 19 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:19,600 Speaker 1: you appreciate and bless my efforts. I have no treasure 20 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:23,880 Speaker 1: here on earth. My life here is about developing my 21 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:28,080 Speaker 1: character and preparation for my life with you in heaven. 22 00:01:29,160 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 1: You are teaching me how to love and how to 23 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:36,280 Speaker 1: reflect your love to others that they might know how 24 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:40,240 Speaker 1: much you loved them. I am here to do your will, 25 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:45,480 Speaker 1: and when my life is over, my treasure will be 26 00:01:45,560 --> 00:01:52,400 Speaker 1: with you in heaven in Jesus name. Amen. Stay tuned 27 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:56,280 Speaker 1: to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever told from 28 00:01:56,280 --> 00:01:59,520 Speaker 1: pray Do dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible. 29 00:02:01,880 --> 00:02:04,720 Speaker 2: Thank you for joining me today for another episode in 30 00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:08,839 Speaker 2: our continuing study of Joseph. In our study so far, 31 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 2: we have followed Joseph changing fortunes from being the favorite 32 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 2: of his father Jacob, to slavery and imprisonment in Egypt, 33 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:22,600 Speaker 2: and now to the exalted position of Prime Minister of Egypt, 34 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:27,720 Speaker 2: the most powerful nation at that time in all the world. 35 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:31,880 Speaker 2: By the way, I'm ed young, your host for this study. 36 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:35,480 Speaker 2: As you recall our last study, the famine that was 37 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:40,560 Speaker 2: predicted in Pharaoh's dreams took place. Before the famine, there 38 00:02:40,680 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 2: was the years of plenty, when all the people would 39 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:47,760 Speaker 2: be blessed with great harvest, and Joseph had overseen the 40 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:50,799 Speaker 2: storage of grained in the good years that would help 41 00:02:50,880 --> 00:02:55,200 Speaker 2: sustain the Egyptians in the years of drought and famine. 42 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:57,920 Speaker 2: Before long, the famine had spread in the land of Canaan, 43 00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:02,360 Speaker 2: and Joseph had overseen the storage of grain. And during 44 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:05,919 Speaker 2: their first encounter with Joseph when they were trip to Egypt, 45 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:08,800 Speaker 2: he began to test them by accusing them of being 46 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:15,040 Speaker 2: spies and treated them harshly. Joseph held Simeon hostage and 47 00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:18,679 Speaker 2: made the brothers commit to bring their younger brother, Benjamin 48 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:23,040 Speaker 2: with them when they returned to Egypt. In this episode, 49 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:27,560 Speaker 2: the brothers, including Benjamin, will return, and we'll see how 50 00:03:27,680 --> 00:03:32,000 Speaker 2: Joe extends both love and benevolence to them. He decides 51 00:03:32,040 --> 00:03:34,680 Speaker 2: to devise a plan to put them through a final 52 00:03:34,760 --> 00:03:38,120 Speaker 2: exam that will reveal their true nature. In other words, 53 00:03:38,280 --> 00:03:42,120 Speaker 2: have these brothers learned anything through their harsh treatment of me? 54 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:47,240 Speaker 2: Before Joseph's story resumes, we'll hear a brief prelude in 55 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:51,680 Speaker 2: which Jesus, on the evening before his crucifixion, praise to 56 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:56,760 Speaker 2: his father in the Garden of Gsemine. 57 00:04:00,920 --> 00:04:07,800 Speaker 3: Prelude to chapter nine, Jesus, shivering body, walked to the 58 00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:11,440 Speaker 3: opening between the trees. He looked up to see the 59 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:17,240 Speaker 3: moon peeking out from the clouds. His jaw quivered. He 60 00:04:17,320 --> 00:04:21,839 Speaker 3: closed his eyes and fell to the ground. Jesus's face 61 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:26,359 Speaker 3: was on the floor. He clenched fistfuls of dirt and 62 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:32,160 Speaker 3: grass as he prayed vigorously to the Lord. Tears streamed 63 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:40,719 Speaker 3: down his wincing face. My Father, he cried, if it 64 00:04:40,920 --> 00:04:48,560 Speaker 3: be possible, let this God pass from me. A soft 65 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:53,359 Speaker 3: and steady stream of tears watered the grass below. His 66 00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:57,919 Speaker 3: weeping was quiet, but poured forth from a deep well 67 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:03,760 Speaker 3: of pain within him. Since before time itself, Jesus had 68 00:05:03,800 --> 00:05:08,720 Speaker 3: existed in perfect unity with the Father. Yet now, as 69 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:13,120 Speaker 3: he wept beside a cold stone and wet grass, he 70 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:18,159 Speaker 3: was feeling the anticipation of separation. He looked to heaven 71 00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:28,840 Speaker 3: again and sighed, nevertheless, I will submit to your will completely. 72 00:05:30,839 --> 00:05:34,640 Speaker 3: Jesus knew that if there was any other way besides death, 73 00:05:35,240 --> 00:05:39,440 Speaker 3: God would have supplied it. However, it was through his 74 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:44,240 Speaker 3: suffering that the entire world would be redeemed. God did 75 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:48,000 Speaker 3: not create evil, nor did he desire for its power 76 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:51,800 Speaker 3: to keep his people captive. He would make a mockery 77 00:05:51,839 --> 00:05:57,120 Speaker 3: of evil on the cross. Through suffering, Jesus would accomplish 78 00:05:57,440 --> 00:06:02,480 Speaker 3: the ultimate redemption. He would be betrayed by the ones 79 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:06,400 Speaker 3: who were supposed to love him. He would be mocked 80 00:06:06,560 --> 00:06:10,960 Speaker 3: by the same people he once healed. They would cry 81 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:16,200 Speaker 3: out for his blood and spit on his face. However, 82 00:06:16,560 --> 00:06:21,320 Speaker 3: Jesus was resolute. He was a mighty warrior, dead set 83 00:06:21,400 --> 00:06:25,760 Speaker 3: on winning over the souls of humanity. They did not 84 00:06:25,920 --> 00:06:30,719 Speaker 3: deserve his love or sacrifice. However, he would save them 85 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:36,240 Speaker 3: none the less. This was the only way. One must 86 00:06:36,279 --> 00:06:41,440 Speaker 3: die so all may live. One must suffer so all 87 00:06:41,520 --> 00:06:46,359 Speaker 3: could be redeemed. One must endure all the pain and 88 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:50,279 Speaker 3: rise above it so others could enjoy the splendor of 89 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:59,840 Speaker 3: the resurrection. Chapter nine, The Prison of the Past. The 90 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:04,280 Speaker 3: famine was relentless. Its cruel bite continued to ravage the 91 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:08,960 Speaker 3: land of Canaan. The farmlands continued to char away under 92 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:12,360 Speaker 3: the sun, and the river running alongside it had dried 93 00:07:12,440 --> 00:07:17,400 Speaker 3: up completely. The flocks had been diminished, and the family 94 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:21,320 Speaker 3: of Jacob had gone through all their rations provided by Egypt. 95 00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:25,960 Speaker 3: Jacob's hope that the land would become fertile again blew 96 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:30,400 Speaker 3: away with the wind. His heart ached for Simeon, who 97 00:07:30,520 --> 00:07:35,320 Speaker 3: was still in captivity in Egypt. However, he had delayed 98 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:38,880 Speaker 3: sending his sons to return, for he knew that he 99 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:44,440 Speaker 3: would have to send Benjamin with them. Jacob sat beside 100 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:48,880 Speaker 3: the well he had dug many years ago. He remembered 101 00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:52,320 Speaker 3: digging it when his sons were young, and his youthful 102 00:07:52,440 --> 00:07:57,600 Speaker 3: vigor was still strong within him. Now the well was 103 00:07:57,720 --> 00:08:03,440 Speaker 3: dried up, along with his will to fight. Jacob sighed 104 00:08:03,840 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 3: and leaned against the stone. What has become of my family, 105 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:12,280 Speaker 3: he prayed to God? 106 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:20,280 Speaker 4: Is this not the land you promised to my grandfather Abraham. 107 00:08:20,640 --> 00:08:24,400 Speaker 3: The wind continued to blow harshly as Jacob watched the 108 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:29,520 Speaker 3: dust churn up in the distance. Reuben and Judah came 109 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:33,600 Speaker 3: up from behind and sat next to their father. The 110 00:08:33,640 --> 00:08:36,800 Speaker 3: three of them sat in silence for a while, gazing 111 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:41,880 Speaker 3: at the desolate landscape. Without looking at them, he pointed 112 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:46,120 Speaker 3: to the horizon and said, it is time to go 113 00:08:46,280 --> 00:08:52,280 Speaker 3: back to Egypt to buy more food. Judah shook his head. 114 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:57,000 Speaker 3: You know, the ruler there solemnly warned us that we 115 00:08:57,160 --> 00:09:02,200 Speaker 3: would be killed unless Benjamin came with us. Why do 116 00:09:02,400 --> 00:09:09,040 Speaker 3: you torment me with your thoughtless actions, Jacob snarled, You 117 00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 3: did not need to mention Benjamin to him. Now Simon 118 00:09:14,200 --> 00:09:17,520 Speaker 3: is gone, and you've risked the life of my youngest son. 119 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:25,439 Speaker 3: Zaffenafpanaia was very interested in our family, Judah replied. He 120 00:09:25,559 --> 00:09:29,280 Speaker 3: questioned us carefully about ourselves, our kindred and even you. 121 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:32,800 Speaker 3: How were we supposed to know that he would demand 122 00:09:32,880 --> 00:09:38,840 Speaker 3: to see Benjamin. Jacob did not respond. He simply looked 123 00:09:38,840 --> 00:09:44,480 Speaker 3: down at his once fruitful land. Judah scooted closer to 124 00:09:44,559 --> 00:09:50,959 Speaker 3: his father and met his gaze. Send Benjamin with me, father, 125 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:57,120 Speaker 3: we can't afford to wait any longer without grain. Jacob 126 00:09:57,200 --> 00:10:03,520 Speaker 3: was still silent, unwilling to look at Judah. Frustrated, Judah 127 00:10:03,679 --> 00:10:07,960 Speaker 3: knelt in front of his father and exclaimed, if we 128 00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:11,160 Speaker 3: had not waited this long, we could have been back 129 00:10:11,240 --> 00:10:17,760 Speaker 3: twice by now. We must not delay silence, Jacob interrupted. 130 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:22,640 Speaker 3: He propped himself up to his feet using his staff. 131 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:27,520 Speaker 3: His anger was as strong as the warm wind behind him. 132 00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:35,840 Speaker 3: You expect me to trust you, he exclaimed. Twenty seven 133 00:10:35,960 --> 00:10:40,000 Speaker 3: years ago, I sent my son to you. Go to 134 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:41,760 Speaker 3: your brothers, I said to him. 135 00:10:42,160 --> 00:10:47,400 Speaker 5: I sent him into your hands, and you bring me 136 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 5: back a tattered coat covered with blood. Jacob's entire body 137 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:58,240 Speaker 5: trembled with rage. Old age had not taken. 138 00:10:57,920 --> 00:11:02,600 Speaker 3: Away his deep heartache for his long lost son. Judah 139 00:11:02,640 --> 00:11:08,760 Speaker 3: and Reuben sat there silently. They knew the truth. They 140 00:11:08,840 --> 00:11:13,520 Speaker 3: knew that Joseph had not been killed by beasts. Yet 141 00:11:13,960 --> 00:11:20,280 Speaker 3: the truth hurt even deeper than Jacob's accusations. The two 142 00:11:20,360 --> 00:11:25,000 Speaker 3: men bowed before their father. Judah's hands sunk deep into 143 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:30,560 Speaker 3: the dirt. Tears streamed down his face and his entire body. 144 00:11:30,679 --> 00:11:37,160 Speaker 3: Ten stop with sorrow, Father, Judah said, with shame in 145 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:44,800 Speaker 3: his voice, I know we have failed you before these 146 00:11:46,840 --> 00:11:51,000 Speaker 3: Put your trust in us, this one's so we might 147 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:56,800 Speaker 3: return Simeon and save our families from starvation. If anyone 148 00:11:56,840 --> 00:11:59,920 Speaker 3: will die, it will be me. 149 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:00,520 Speaker 1: Father. 150 00:12:02,160 --> 00:12:05,800 Speaker 3: It was a redeeming moment for Judah. He was the 151 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:11,200 Speaker 3: mastermind behind Joseph's enslavement. His own wickedness had plagued his 152 00:12:11,320 --> 00:12:16,960 Speaker 3: heart for years. However, God had a purpose for him. 153 00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:23,960 Speaker 3: He could feel it deep within his bones. Jacob looked 154 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:28,239 Speaker 3: down at his son. He could see tears of conviction 155 00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:33,280 Speaker 3: falling down his face. He put his hand on Judah's head. 156 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:42,040 Speaker 3: He smiled and said, if you must go, then be 157 00:12:42,280 --> 00:12:47,000 Speaker 3: diligent to gain the ruler's favor. Take some of our 158 00:12:47,120 --> 00:12:51,120 Speaker 3: fruits along with some of our goods. We still have. 159 00:12:51,240 --> 00:12:58,800 Speaker 4: Honey, gum, mirror, almonds and pistachios. Perhaps a taste of 160 00:12:58,880 --> 00:13:01,840 Speaker 4: delicacies of care and will gain his favor. 161 00:13:04,080 --> 00:13:07,840 Speaker 3: Judah and Reuben nodded and gathered their supplies along with 162 00:13:07,880 --> 00:13:12,840 Speaker 3: the other brothers. Jake, double the money you took last time, 163 00:13:14,200 --> 00:13:19,000 Speaker 3: Jacob said, return it to him, lest he try and 164 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:23,840 Speaker 3: accuse you of stealing it in the first place. The 165 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:27,760 Speaker 3: brothers did as they were told. They packed their donkeys 166 00:13:27,800 --> 00:13:37,960 Speaker 3: with goods and supplies. Reuben, Levi, Judah, Ishakar, Zebulun, gad Asher, Dan, Nephthali, 167 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:44,240 Speaker 3: and Benjamin all departed back to Egypt. They left as 168 00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:49,240 Speaker 3: determined men, determined to rescue their brother from the clutches 169 00:13:49,280 --> 00:13:54,400 Speaker 3: of Egypt. Little did they know they were in need 170 00:13:54,440 --> 00:14:01,560 Speaker 3: of rescue and Egypt was their refuge. Joseph stood at 171 00:14:01,559 --> 00:14:05,640 Speaker 3: the water's edge watching his son's play. They splashed and 172 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:09,160 Speaker 3: threw sand at one another, enjoying the mild Egyptian day. 173 00:14:10,520 --> 00:14:16,120 Speaker 3: Joseph lost himself in thought. He daydreamed about his brothers. 174 00:14:16,960 --> 00:14:19,440 Speaker 3: He remembered a time when he was able to play 175 00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:23,360 Speaker 3: in the water with them. He recalled the sound of 176 00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:28,120 Speaker 3: their laughter. Like old hymns in the deepest parts of 177 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:33,680 Speaker 3: his heart, he still longed for those innocent times, a 178 00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:37,320 Speaker 3: time before he was a threat to them, a time 179 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:42,680 Speaker 3: before his coat of many colors. His sons played around 180 00:14:42,680 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 3: his feet, burying them in the sand. Joseph laughed and 181 00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:51,480 Speaker 3: picked them up and ran towards the water. His sons 182 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:55,400 Speaker 3: screamed with excitement as all of them fell into the water. 183 00:14:56,840 --> 00:15:01,440 Speaker 3: Their laughter was like sweet melodies to Joseph. He cherished 184 00:15:01,560 --> 00:15:05,640 Speaker 3: every moment with his sons and prayed every day that 185 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:09,880 Speaker 3: they would grow to love one another. As the three 186 00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:16,920 Speaker 3: of them played, Ned approached Zavenatpania. The Hebrews have returned, 187 00:15:18,040 --> 00:15:23,440 Speaker 3: he said. Joseph seized his playing and put his children down. 188 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:28,040 Speaker 3: He waded back to the sand. Servants stood close by 189 00:15:28,160 --> 00:15:32,040 Speaker 3: with a towel and fresh garment. They dressed him, put 190 00:15:32,120 --> 00:15:35,200 Speaker 3: on his chain and signet ring, and then took his 191 00:15:35,360 --> 00:15:41,120 Speaker 3: children back to their mother. Joseph walked beside Ned. Have 192 00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:48,320 Speaker 3: they brought another brother, Joseph asked sternly. Ned nodded good. 193 00:15:49,680 --> 00:15:53,680 Speaker 3: He approached the storehouses where grain was sold. His brothers 194 00:15:53,720 --> 00:15:58,120 Speaker 3: were waiting for him there. Joseph leaned over to Ned 195 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:01,920 Speaker 3: and said, go when retrieve their brother from the prison 196 00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 3: and bring these men to my home. Slaughter a calf 197 00:16:05,920 --> 00:16:09,240 Speaker 3: and prepare it for a feast. They will dine with 198 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:13,760 Speaker 3: me at noon. Joseph did not meet his brothers near 199 00:16:13,840 --> 00:16:18,480 Speaker 3: the storehouse. Instead, he stood off from Afar and observed 200 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:23,520 Speaker 3: there every move The brothers were led to Joseph's home 201 00:16:25,080 --> 00:16:28,760 Speaker 3: as Anath was waiting for them along with the servants. 202 00:16:29,520 --> 00:16:32,480 Speaker 3: The entrance to the home was held up by pure 203 00:16:32,720 --> 00:16:39,240 Speaker 3: ivory pillars. All came upon every brother. They had never 204 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:45,600 Speaker 3: seen such elegance. Joseph watched from afar. He saw his 205 00:16:45,680 --> 00:16:51,400 Speaker 3: brothers take in his beautiful gardens, architecture, and artwork. Joseph 206 00:16:51,520 --> 00:16:55,640 Speaker 3: smirked thinking about his first reaction to Potiphar's home so 207 00:16:55,800 --> 00:17:00,160 Speaker 3: many years ago. The brothers were seated at the table, 208 00:17:00,360 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 3: surrounded by grape vines growing up lattice barriers. As they sat, 209 00:17:06,960 --> 00:17:11,919 Speaker 3: the servants placed an elaborately decorated meal before them. The 210 00:17:12,080 --> 00:17:16,600 Speaker 3: calf was cooked in many different ways, served with figs, fruit, 211 00:17:16,960 --> 00:17:22,879 Speaker 3: and freshly baked bread. Although it was a famine, Joseph's 212 00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:26,200 Speaker 3: wisdom and attentiveness to the will of God had held 213 00:17:26,280 --> 00:17:31,800 Speaker 3: up Egypt to maintain its riches. Net Now the steward 214 00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:36,560 Speaker 3: of Joseph's home placed the food on the table. The 215 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:41,719 Speaker 3: brothers looked at the spread with awe. However, they dared 216 00:17:41,760 --> 00:17:48,320 Speaker 3: not touch it. My Lord Judah said to net, when 217 00:17:48,359 --> 00:17:52,520 Speaker 3: we first came to buy grain, our money was sent 218 00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:57,159 Speaker 3: back with us. If this was a mistake, we have 219 00:17:57,200 --> 00:18:03,879 Speaker 3: brought double the money in return. Please tell Zaffhanathpenea not 220 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:09,119 Speaker 3: to be angry with us. The kind steward simply shook 221 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:14,120 Speaker 3: his head and smiled, Ah, my friends, do not be afraid. 222 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:17,800 Speaker 3: Your God and the God of your father has given 223 00:18:17,880 --> 00:18:22,480 Speaker 3: you that treasure. As for us, we received your money. 224 00:18:23,359 --> 00:18:28,880 Speaker 3: Put your minds at ease and eat. The brothers mumbled 225 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:33,320 Speaker 3: amongst themselves. Did God truly put money in their sacks 226 00:18:33,320 --> 00:18:36,920 Speaker 3: of grain? What did they do to deserve such a miracle. 227 00:18:38,840 --> 00:18:42,320 Speaker 3: Joseph listened to their murmuring behind the curtain separating his 228 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:46,320 Speaker 3: room from the dining hall. He paced back and forth, 229 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:50,720 Speaker 3: scheming about his next steps. He did not know whether 230 00:18:50,760 --> 00:18:55,720 Speaker 3: he was forgiving his brothers or trapping them. A flurry 231 00:18:55,720 --> 00:18:59,680 Speaker 3: of mixed emotions filled his mind. He was a man 232 00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:05,160 Speaker 3: red with his flesh. On one hand, he desperately desired 233 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:08,480 Speaker 3: to reconnect with the family he had missed for so long. 234 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:13,199 Speaker 3: On the other hand, he wanted them to pay for 235 00:19:13,320 --> 00:19:18,600 Speaker 3: the suffering they had cost. He breathed in deeply and 236 00:19:18,760 --> 00:19:23,760 Speaker 3: leaned against the bedroom wall. A deep well of hatred 237 00:19:24,160 --> 00:19:28,920 Speaker 3: was bubbling to the surface of his soul as Joseph 238 00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:32,760 Speaker 3: wrestled with his own heart ned popped his head in 239 00:19:32,880 --> 00:19:37,440 Speaker 3: through the curtains. My Lord, the feast is ready, and 240 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:42,000 Speaker 3: I have freed the brother we were holding prison. Joseph 241 00:19:42,119 --> 00:19:47,440 Speaker 3: composed himself and entered through the curtains. Simeon had been 242 00:19:47,520 --> 00:19:52,920 Speaker 3: returned to the table, and the brothers were rejoicing. Their 243 00:19:53,040 --> 00:19:58,400 Speaker 3: cheers were silenced immediately when Joseph entered the room. They 244 00:19:58,440 --> 00:20:03,120 Speaker 3: stepped away from the table and bowed before him. They 245 00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:09,040 Speaker 3: remained silent and on their knees, waiting for Joseph to speak. However, 246 00:20:09,240 --> 00:20:14,760 Speaker 3: he said nothing. His face remained impassive and devoid of emotion. 247 00:20:16,520 --> 00:20:21,520 Speaker 3: He scanned the group for his younger brother. Although Joseph's 248 00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:26,920 Speaker 3: face was brooding and unemotional, his heart was pounding out 249 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:33,200 Speaker 3: of his chest in anticipation. Keeping his identity secret from 250 00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:38,479 Speaker 3: them hurt like a knife in his belly. Still holding 251 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:43,200 Speaker 3: his head high with regality, he asked the brother's questions. 252 00:20:44,560 --> 00:20:48,159 Speaker 3: You spoke of an elderly father the last time we met. 253 00:20:48,840 --> 00:20:55,280 Speaker 3: Tell me how is he. Reuben spoke first, saying he's 254 00:20:55,320 --> 00:20:59,359 Speaker 3: alive and well, my lord. Although he is not fond 255 00:20:59,359 --> 00:21:03,879 Speaker 3: of Benjamin being so far from home, he loves him dearly. 256 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:10,440 Speaker 3: Joseph's heart skipped the beat when he saw Benjamin kneeling 257 00:21:10,560 --> 00:21:17,840 Speaker 3: beside Judah. He walked over to him slowly. All was quiet, 258 00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:24,960 Speaker 3: nobody dared speak a word. Joseph took his scepter and 259 00:21:25,160 --> 00:21:30,320 Speaker 3: rested it below Benjamin's chin. He raised his chin to 260 00:21:30,359 --> 00:21:34,639 Speaker 3: get a better look at him. He had cherry brown 261 00:21:34,720 --> 00:21:38,280 Speaker 3: curls that rested over his forehead like ivy on a 262 00:21:38,320 --> 00:21:43,280 Speaker 3: stone wall. He must have been no older than eighteen, 263 00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:47,000 Speaker 3: around the same age as Joseph when he had been 264 00:21:47,040 --> 00:21:55,840 Speaker 3: abandoned by his brothers. Joseph observed Benjamin closely. He noticed 265 00:21:55,880 --> 00:22:02,760 Speaker 3: that his eyes were amber, just like his mother's. He 266 00:22:02,800 --> 00:22:05,720 Speaker 3: took notice of the way his upper lip curled inward 267 00:22:05,840 --> 00:22:09,920 Speaker 3: while he smiled. His father did the same thing when 268 00:22:09,960 --> 00:22:14,240 Speaker 3: he was nervous. He remembered seeing that smile. When Joseph 269 00:22:14,280 --> 00:22:18,800 Speaker 3: played too close to the rocks by the river. He 270 00:22:18,880 --> 00:22:22,080 Speaker 3: looked at his brother and saw glimpses of his mother 271 00:22:22,320 --> 00:22:26,840 Speaker 3: and father. He had longed to see their faces again, 272 00:22:27,800 --> 00:22:34,000 Speaker 3: and now he felt like he had. Joseph broke the 273 00:22:34,119 --> 00:22:41,480 Speaker 3: silence with a trembling voice. You must be Benjamin, he 274 00:22:41,520 --> 00:22:50,800 Speaker 3: said softly, Ned translated for him. Benjamin nodded, God be 275 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:58,600 Speaker 3: gracious to you, my son. Joseph's voice cracked. He could 276 00:22:58,640 --> 00:23:04,560 Speaker 3: feel himself loose in control. Before anyone could respond, Joseph 277 00:23:04,760 --> 00:23:09,960 Speaker 3: departed quickly back behind the curtains. The brothers mumbled amongst themselves, 278 00:23:10,320 --> 00:23:15,960 Speaker 3: wondering where he had gone. Joseph burst through the curtains 279 00:23:16,280 --> 00:23:21,880 Speaker 3: and fell onto the floor. Tears broke forth from him 280 00:23:21,920 --> 00:23:26,919 Speaker 3: like an open dam. He pounded his fist onto the floor, 281 00:23:27,520 --> 00:23:32,960 Speaker 3: weeping to God. A soft and steady stream of tears 282 00:23:33,320 --> 00:23:38,960 Speaker 3: watered the ground below. His weeping was quiet, but poured 283 00:23:39,080 --> 00:23:44,119 Speaker 3: forth from a deep well of pain within him. He 284 00:23:44,200 --> 00:23:49,280 Speaker 3: had harbored hatred for so long, yet when he saw 285 00:23:49,320 --> 00:23:53,159 Speaker 3: his younger brother, all the pain seemed to melt away. 286 00:23:54,560 --> 00:23:58,719 Speaker 3: He had looked into Benjamin's eyes and seen his father 287 00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:04,920 Speaker 3: and mother. He remembered their warmth, embrace and gentle voices. 288 00:24:06,359 --> 00:24:08,920 Speaker 3: He hated his brothers, for what they had done to him. 289 00:24:09,320 --> 00:24:13,520 Speaker 3: Yet he could not hate Benjamin. He did not want 290 00:24:13,560 --> 00:24:17,400 Speaker 3: him to be punished for the sins of his brothers. 291 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:23,240 Speaker 3: Joseph opened up his hands and looked up to God. 292 00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:31,760 Speaker 3: Where am I to go from here? He whispered. Tears 293 00:24:31,840 --> 00:24:35,200 Speaker 3: continued to fall down like rain onto the stone floor. 294 00:24:37,119 --> 00:24:41,760 Speaker 3: I cannot embrace them after what they did to me. 295 00:24:43,560 --> 00:24:48,440 Speaker 3: Joseph curled into himself. He put his hands on his ribs. 296 00:24:49,560 --> 00:24:52,800 Speaker 3: He remembered the broken bones he suffered from being tossed 297 00:24:52,840 --> 00:24:56,680 Speaker 3: into the pit. He remembered the sores on his feet 298 00:24:56,760 --> 00:25:01,440 Speaker 3: from marching to Egypt. His callous hands and whipped back 299 00:25:01,840 --> 00:25:08,040 Speaker 3: revealed years of hard labor, torture, and suffering, all at 300 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:11,320 Speaker 3: the hands of those who were supposed to love him. 301 00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:17,639 Speaker 3: His brother's sins weighed heavy on Joseph. He had bore 302 00:25:17,680 --> 00:25:23,919 Speaker 3: them on his back for over twenty years. Now he 303 00:25:24,040 --> 00:25:27,800 Speaker 3: had the opportunity to redeem them, to save them, and 304 00:25:27,880 --> 00:25:31,639 Speaker 3: to draw them out of their suffering. But did they 305 00:25:31,720 --> 00:25:38,679 Speaker 3: deserve it? Had they changed? Joseph wrestled with these things 306 00:25:38,720 --> 00:25:44,840 Speaker 3: in his heart. In that moment, Joseph needed to decide 307 00:25:45,359 --> 00:25:47,960 Speaker 3: if he was going to rise up and be the 308 00:25:48,119 --> 00:25:52,040 Speaker 3: hero of his people, or succumb to his rage and 309 00:25:52,160 --> 00:25:57,840 Speaker 3: be trapped in the prism of the past. Joseph splashed 310 00:25:57,840 --> 00:26:02,679 Speaker 3: some water on his face and against the basin. He 311 00:26:02,720 --> 00:26:06,360 Speaker 3: stared at his reflection, thinking about the young boy who 312 00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:11,800 Speaker 3: nearly drowned in the well under Potiphar's hand. He smiled, 313 00:26:12,440 --> 00:26:16,800 Speaker 3: remembering how far God had brought him. He remembered the 314 00:26:16,880 --> 00:26:22,520 Speaker 3: profound good that came from suffering. Joseph had a small 315 00:26:22,640 --> 00:26:28,679 Speaker 3: moment of peace. He composed himself, cleaned his face, and 316 00:26:28,960 --> 00:26:33,680 Speaker 3: entered back into the dining hall. The brothers had been 317 00:26:33,720 --> 00:26:38,040 Speaker 3: waiting for him. Putting on a smile for his guests, 318 00:26:38,960 --> 00:26:43,399 Speaker 3: Joseph clapped his hands and announced, let the feast begin. 319 00:26:45,080 --> 00:26:49,479 Speaker 3: As Joseph spoke, the servants entered the room and filled 320 00:26:49,480 --> 00:26:54,000 Speaker 3: the brother's cups with wine. It was the best meal 321 00:26:54,080 --> 00:26:58,560 Speaker 3: they had ever had. Joseph sat at another table, since 322 00:26:58,720 --> 00:27:03,000 Speaker 3: Egyptians were not on out to eat with foreigners. The 323 00:27:03,080 --> 00:27:07,560 Speaker 3: twelve of them laughed into the evening. As wine flowed, 324 00:27:08,240 --> 00:27:13,840 Speaker 3: so did the stories. Joseph listened eagerly as his brothers 325 00:27:13,880 --> 00:27:20,359 Speaker 3: told stories about Canaan, his father, and their families. Joseph's 326 00:27:20,359 --> 00:27:25,000 Speaker 3: heart was filled to the brim with joy. However, he 327 00:27:25,080 --> 00:27:29,440 Speaker 3: did not lose sight of his purpose. The brothers were 328 00:27:29,560 --> 00:27:33,000 Speaker 3: arranged by birth order, with Reuben at the head of 329 00:27:33,040 --> 00:27:38,080 Speaker 3: the table and Benjamin at the opposite end. Joseph sat 330 00:27:38,119 --> 00:27:42,239 Speaker 3: close to Benjamin, filling his cup continually and calling for 331 00:27:42,320 --> 00:27:46,840 Speaker 3: the servants to fill his plate. All throughout the night, 332 00:27:47,440 --> 00:27:51,520 Speaker 3: Joseph made sure to give Benjamin five times the amount 333 00:27:51,600 --> 00:27:54,520 Speaker 3: of food and drink that he did the other brothers. 334 00:27:55,880 --> 00:28:01,360 Speaker 3: He watched Judah and Simeon closely, wanted to see if 335 00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:05,120 Speaker 3: they would react to their youngest brother receiving so much 336 00:28:05,200 --> 00:28:10,679 Speaker 3: praise and favor from a king. Joseph allowed Benjamin to 337 00:28:10,720 --> 00:28:14,960 Speaker 3: sit on his throne and laugh. He clapped and had 338 00:28:15,000 --> 00:28:19,560 Speaker 3: some of his servant girls sit next to him. Royalty 339 00:28:19,680 --> 00:28:25,560 Speaker 3: looks good on you, Benjamin, he jested, Perhaps your brothers 340 00:28:25,800 --> 00:28:31,119 Speaker 3: should bow to you. Joseph listened closely for sneers and 341 00:28:31,240 --> 00:28:36,680 Speaker 3: murmurings from the other brothers. However, to his surprise, they 342 00:28:36,800 --> 00:28:41,440 Speaker 3: only laughed. They smiled at Benjamin and laughed with one another. 343 00:28:42,800 --> 00:28:47,200 Speaker 3: Although Benjamin held the favor and love off his father Jacob, 344 00:28:47,800 --> 00:28:51,720 Speaker 3: the ten other brothers did not seem to care. They 345 00:28:51,880 --> 00:28:57,080 Speaker 3: loved their baby brother and reveled in his success. Their 346 00:28:57,120 --> 00:29:03,680 Speaker 3: camaraderie made Joseph sick to his stomach. They haven't changed, 347 00:29:04,880 --> 00:29:09,520 Speaker 3: Joseph thought to himself, It is all a show. They 348 00:29:09,600 --> 00:29:15,160 Speaker 3: couldn't care for Benjamin, they didn't for me. Joseph's servants 349 00:29:15,160 --> 00:29:20,520 Speaker 3: played tambourines and wind instruments beside the table. Their sounds 350 00:29:20,760 --> 00:29:25,479 Speaker 3: sent Joseph's mind spiraling out of control. In a dreamlike days, 351 00:29:26,640 --> 00:29:29,920 Speaker 3: he watched his brother's link arm in arm and dance 352 00:29:30,000 --> 00:29:34,280 Speaker 3: to the music playing throughout the courtyard. He leaned back, 353 00:29:34,880 --> 00:29:41,120 Speaker 3: watching their smiles closely. They seemed to truly love each other. 354 00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:47,840 Speaker 3: They're chuckling and dancing. Vexed Joseph. He could not accept 355 00:29:48,240 --> 00:29:50,760 Speaker 3: that they could abandon him to die in a foreign 356 00:29:50,800 --> 00:29:55,400 Speaker 3: country and then live on in happiness, as if nothing 357 00:29:55,440 --> 00:30:03,320 Speaker 3: had ever happened. Joseph clenched his facerists and snarled. It 358 00:30:03,440 --> 00:30:10,520 Speaker 3: is all a show, Joseph whispered to himself. Tomorrow I 359 00:30:10,960 --> 00:30:12,400 Speaker 3: will know the truth. 360 00:30:16,440 --> 00:30:20,520 Speaker 2: Jesus often visited the gardener Goosemite to pray, but this 361 00:30:20,760 --> 00:30:25,160 Speaker 2: time was different. He knew that he would soon be arrested, tried, 362 00:30:25,680 --> 00:30:30,320 Speaker 2: and condemned to death by crucifixion. As he contemplated the 363 00:30:30,360 --> 00:30:34,040 Speaker 2: pain and suffering and shame he would endure on our 364 00:30:34,080 --> 00:30:38,360 Speaker 2: behalf as a sinless lamb of God. He submitted to 365 00:30:38,520 --> 00:30:41,360 Speaker 2: the will of God and prayed that God would be 366 00:30:41,400 --> 00:30:47,000 Speaker 2: glorified through his obedience and his horrific sacrificial death on 367 00:30:47,080 --> 00:30:51,840 Speaker 2: the cross. In this study, we observed that Joe too 368 00:30:52,520 --> 00:30:56,200 Speaker 2: wrestled with the will of God. He now understands that 369 00:30:56,280 --> 00:30:59,840 Speaker 2: God has brought him through his suffering and unjust and 370 00:31:00,040 --> 00:31:04,600 Speaker 2: rismon to prepare him as God's instruments to preserve the 371 00:31:04,640 --> 00:31:08,520 Speaker 2: Egyptians and his own family. At the same time, he 372 00:31:08,600 --> 00:31:12,680 Speaker 2: wants to determine if his brothers, those bad actors have 373 00:31:12,840 --> 00:31:19,520 Speaker 2: acknowledged their sinful treatment of him and had expressed regreted repentance. Joe, 374 00:31:19,680 --> 00:31:23,920 Speaker 2: in many ways, is on an emotional rollercoaster, alternating between 375 00:31:23,960 --> 00:31:26,760 Speaker 2: gratitude that God is at work in his life and 376 00:31:26,960 --> 00:31:31,240 Speaker 2: concerned that his brothers have confessed their sin, at least 377 00:31:31,280 --> 00:31:36,320 Speaker 2: to themselves. This episode takes us from Canaan as the 378 00:31:36,400 --> 00:31:39,880 Speaker 2: brothers convince their father to let them take Benjamin so 379 00:31:39,960 --> 00:31:43,000 Speaker 2: they can return to Egypt to buy more grain, and 380 00:31:43,040 --> 00:31:45,560 Speaker 2: then to Egypt and the lavish banquet in the home 381 00:31:45,600 --> 00:31:52,000 Speaker 2: of Joseph arranges for his brothers. God's presence, his providential care, 382 00:31:52,760 --> 00:31:57,360 Speaker 2: the work of the Holy Spirit are evident in both scenes. 383 00:31:58,240 --> 00:32:02,400 Speaker 2: In Canaan, Judah has begun to emerge as a leader 384 00:32:02,400 --> 00:32:06,440 Speaker 2: among the brothers. He you need to remember, was the 385 00:32:06,440 --> 00:32:09,400 Speaker 2: one who suggested that they sell Joseph as a slave, 386 00:32:10,000 --> 00:32:12,840 Speaker 2: and he had also broken a promise to his daughter 387 00:32:12,880 --> 00:32:16,680 Speaker 2: in lawd Tamar and then entered into an incestuous relationship 388 00:32:16,720 --> 00:32:21,280 Speaker 2: with her. But God had indeed been working in Judah's life, 389 00:32:21,720 --> 00:32:24,360 Speaker 2: and we are starting to see why you were selected 390 00:32:24,720 --> 00:32:28,240 Speaker 2: to be the one through whose lineage would come not 391 00:32:28,320 --> 00:32:34,360 Speaker 2: only King David, but ultimately I Messiah, Jesus the Messiah, 392 00:32:34,640 --> 00:32:38,600 Speaker 2: our Lord, and our Savior. Judah offers to stand in 393 00:32:38,640 --> 00:32:41,880 Speaker 2: the gap and protect his brother Benjamin, in effect offering 394 00:32:41,920 --> 00:32:46,440 Speaker 2: his life in exchange for that of his younger brother Jacob. Jacob, then, 395 00:32:46,680 --> 00:32:50,880 Speaker 2: sensing the change in Judah's character, reluctantly consents for Benjamin 396 00:32:51,160 --> 00:32:53,520 Speaker 2: to travel to Egypt with the rest of his brothers. 397 00:32:54,040 --> 00:32:57,920 Speaker 2: In Egypt, Joseph brothers are surprised to be the recipients 398 00:32:57,920 --> 00:33:02,880 Speaker 2: of extreme kindness the hands of the Prime Minister Joseph 399 00:33:02,920 --> 00:33:06,640 Speaker 2: has contended to hide his identity from them, so they 400 00:33:06,640 --> 00:33:09,280 Speaker 2: are mazed to be invited to be his guests at 401 00:33:09,280 --> 00:33:12,960 Speaker 2: a lavish meal, to have Joseph speak kindly to them 402 00:33:13,360 --> 00:33:16,400 Speaker 2: and serve as a gracious oast. They are also surprised 403 00:33:16,440 --> 00:33:20,920 Speaker 2: that Joe has them seated in birth order, oldest to youngest, 404 00:33:21,280 --> 00:33:25,640 Speaker 2: and that he treats Benjamin to the largest, most delicious 405 00:33:25,760 --> 00:33:30,200 Speaker 2: portions of food. All through the meal, Joseph watches for 406 00:33:30,240 --> 00:33:34,840 Speaker 2: evidence that the brothers have changed. Will they be jealous 407 00:33:34,840 --> 00:33:38,520 Speaker 2: of Benjamin for being singled out for extra attention? Will 408 00:33:38,560 --> 00:33:42,440 Speaker 2: they treat one another with kindness and respect? Has God 409 00:33:42,520 --> 00:33:47,040 Speaker 2: aroused their consciences so that they can escape the prison 410 00:33:47,880 --> 00:33:51,560 Speaker 2: of their past mistakes, their lives, and their hatred and 411 00:33:51,600 --> 00:33:56,600 Speaker 2: hostility towards Joseph? And as he struggles with his own emotions, 412 00:33:57,160 --> 00:34:01,560 Speaker 2: Joseph begins to develop a plan for a final exam, 413 00:34:02,680 --> 00:34:07,520 Speaker 2: an extreme test to see how his brothers will respond 414 00:34:07,640 --> 00:34:12,279 Speaker 2: in a sos moment. The results of that test an 415 00:34:12,320 --> 00:34:17,319 Speaker 2: incredibly moving revelation that the Prime Minister of Egypt is 416 00:34:17,440 --> 00:34:23,360 Speaker 2: none other than Joe Joseph himself. This is the subject 417 00:34:23,400 --> 00:34:26,320 Speaker 2: matter of the next episode. And I look forward to 418 00:34:26,360 --> 00:34:30,080 Speaker 2: being your host as we have ringside seats for what 419 00:34:30,200 --> 00:34:32,719 Speaker 2: I think is one of the most powerful and most 420 00:34:32,760 --> 00:34:36,600 Speaker 2: poignant scenes in all the Old Testament. Join me for 421 00:34:36,680 --> 00:34:39,920 Speaker 2: the next episode in this Heroes in the Bible series 422 00:34:39,960 --> 00:34:44,520 Speaker 2: of podcasts, and remember. For more inspiring stories, daily prayers, 423 00:34:44,560 --> 00:34:48,000 Speaker 2: and insights to encourage you in your daily walk, go 424 00:34:48,120 --> 00:34:53,000 Speaker 2: to pray dot com.