God’s Renewing Word of Mercy and Forgiveness
Introduction
Genesis 43:15-34: Joseph welcomes his brothers, inquires about their father, and prepares a feast for them but does not reveal his identity. When he sees his brother Benjamin, he is overcome with tears.
Scripture Reading
15 So the brothers took the gifts and twice as much money, and set out for Egypt with Benjamin. There they presented themselves to Joseph. 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the servant in charge of his house, “Take these men to my house. They are going to eat with me at noon, so kill an animal and prepare it.” 17 The servant did as he was commanded and took the brothers to Joseph’s house.
18 As they were being brought to the house, they were afraid and thought, “We are being brought here because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time. They will suddenly attack us, take our donkeys, and make us his slaves.” 19 So at the door of the house, they said to the servant in charge, 20 “If you please, sir, we came here once before to buy food. 21 When we set up camp on the way home, we opened our sacks, and each man found his money in the top of his sack—every bit of it. We have brought it back to you. 22 We have also brought some more money with us to buy more food. We do not know who put our money back in our sacks.”
23 The servant said, “Don’t worry. Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, must have put the money in your sacks for you. I received your payment.” Then he brought Simeon to them.
24 The servant took the brothers into the house. He gave them water so that they could wash their feet, and he fed their donkeys. 25 They got their gifts ready to present to Joseph when he arrived at noon, because they had been told that they were to eat with him. 26 When Joseph got home, they took the gifts into the house to him and bowed down to the ground before him. 27 He asked about their health and then said, “You told me about your old father—how is he? Is he still alive and well?”
28 They answered, “Your humble servant, our father, is still alive and well.” And they knelt and bowed down before him.
29 When Joseph saw his brother Benjamin, he said, “So this is your youngest brother, the one you told me about. God bless you, my son.” 30 Then Joseph left suddenly, because his heart was full of tender feelings for his brother. He was about to break down, so he went to his room and cried. 31 After he had washed his face, he came out, and controlling himself, he ordered the meal to be served. 32 Joseph was served at one table and his brothers at another. The Egyptians who were eating there were served separately, because they considered it beneath their dignity to eat with Hebrews. 33 The brothers had been seated at the table, facing Joseph, in the order of their age from the oldest to the youngest. When they saw how they had been seated, they looked at one another in amazement. 34 Food was served to them from Joseph’s table, and Benjamin was served five times as much as the rest of them. So they ate and drank with Joseph until they were drunk.
Today’s Key Verse: Genesis 43:29
When Joseph saw his brother Benjamin, he said, “So this is your youngest brother, the one you told me about. God bless you, my son.”
Reflect
As the brothers were being brought to Joseph’s house, what were their thoughts? At the feast that Joseph had prepared for his brothers, what was it that amazed them (verse 33)? Have you ever been amazed by something that God did in your life? Try to recall the details of this circumstance.
Pray
Amazing and gracious God, as I feast today on your Word, open my eyes to see your blessings. I thank and praise you for your steadfast love and care. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
And now, join us in holding up in prayer the more than 18 million military veterans who are in need of God’s Word. Gracious God, we are grateful for the generosity of caring friends and supporters who are helping to provide Bible and Scripture resources to veterans. Lives and destinies are being changed thanks to volunteer veterans who are distributing and sharing your Word wherever they can, most recently with school students in lockdown during the pandemic. Thank you, Lord God, for their faithful witness to the power of your Word. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Genesis 44:1-17: Joseph’s brothers are accused of stealing Joseph’s silver cup.