https://esv.literalword.com/?q=genesis+44
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 20 December 2024:
Genesis 44:2 – “…and put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, with his money for the grain.” And he did as Joseph told him.
Joseph could not see the hearts of his brothers, and he further pressed them, looking for proof of their changed hearts. Since they had been disloyal to God’s people when they betrayed him, Joseph thought he might discern the state of his brothers’ souls by testing their loyalty to Benjamin. Today’s passage describes how Joseph initiated this test to see if their repentance was genuine.
The Lord our God puts us to the test so that we may reveal to others the true commitments of our hearts. Certainly, God knows in advance the outcome of any test that He gives us, but we are not to dwell on this truth. Instead, we should seek His aid that we might show our submission to His will and pass any test He sends our way. Today you will face the choice to trust and follow Christ or sin against Him. Lean on the Holy Spirit and by God’s grace you will pass this test.” (Ligonier Ministries)
Genesis 44:5, 15 – “’Is it not from this that my lord drinks, and by this that he practices divination? You have done evil in doing this.’” …. Joseph said to them, “What deed is this that you have done? Do you not know that a man like me can indeed practice divination?”
Joseph apparently, or at least reportedly, practiced divination (and had married into the Egyptian priesthood – Genesis 41:45). Some have suggested that Joseph married the daughter of an Egyptian priest to protect himself and his children from future slavery. However, compromising holiness is never that path to happiness. It is incredibly difficult, nearly impossible, for God’s people to be a part of the worldly system without being influenced by it. How has culture influenced you to do things God forbids?
Genesis 44:9 – “Whichever of your servants is found with it shall die, and we also will be my lord’s servants.”
Notice the brothers had developed such a level of trust for one another that Judah, the spokesman for the family, declared without hesitation that the thief should be killed and all others made slaves if the cup were in someone’s possession.
Genesis 44:18 — Then Judah went up to him and said, “Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not your anger burn against your servant, for you are like Pharaoh himself.”
“Joseph must have had hope that his brothers had become servants of the Lord when they came before him in torn garments (Gen. 44:13–14). After all, this gesture indicated their sorrow over the potential loss of Benjamin, implying that they were not happy to desert him like they were to abandon Joseph (chap. 37). His brothers’ confession of their sin (44:16) gave more proof of their repentance. Yet their hearts were invisible to Joseph, and that is why he did not accept the offer to make all of them his slaves. Instead, Joseph said he was willing to take only Benjamin and let the rest go free (v. 17), thereby putting the brothers in a situation similar to the one they were in years before. They profited from the sale of Joseph, the favored son, into slavery, and with Benjamin they were offered the chance to win their freedom at his expense. Whether or not they chose to profit themselves in the pharaoh’s court would show the true state of their souls.
Having served as the brothers’ spokesman once before (44:14–17), Judah again stepped forward to reply to Joseph’s offer, as we read in today’s passage. Imagine how conflicted Joseph must have felt when staring Judah in the eyes. This man convinced Jacob’s other sons to sell Joseph into slavery and all the misery that ensued in the land of the Nile (37:26–28). Would Joseph obey God’s command to love his enemies, especially if they show remorse for their sins (Luke 6:35)? Truly, his faith was tested during this episode.
What ensues is the longest, most impassioned speech in Genesis. Notably, Judah shows he has made peace with the fact that Jacob loves Rachel’s sons more than Leah’s. He repeatedly mentions the special affection his father has for Benjamin (Gen. 44:20, 27–29) and appeals to it so that the boy might go free (vv. 30–34). The fatherly favoritism that earlier sparked brotherly hatred is now the very ground upon which Judah stands to secure Benjamin’s release. Jacob may not love Judah as much, but Judah does not sinfully let this stand in the way of the Lord’s demand that he honor his father (Ex. 20:12) like he did when he callously abandoned Joseph into slavery.
Some of us may have had parents who loved a brother or sister more than they loved us. Some may let this fester into bitterness, leading them to neglect their duty to honor their parents and love their siblings. Even if our families were not like this, all of us have experienced feelings of rejection and exclusion. This too can fester into bitter anger. Confess any resentment you may hold against God or others and know that the Lord loves you.” (Ligonier Ministries)
Genesis 44:27-29 – “Then your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons. One left me, and I said, “Surely he has been torn to pieces,” and I have never seen him since. If you take this one also from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring down my gray hairs in evil to Sheol.’”
Imagine how unloved Jacob’s sons not born from Rachel must have felt. So many world problems started in small, hurtful family environments, which why God is so specific about the sanctity of marriage, the protection of the family, and the requirements of love within the family. Family is the building block of society and intended to be the school house for Christlike character development.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 20 December 2024: Today, focus on joyfully serving God and others in accordance with God’s word, regardless the personal cost. Deny self, take up your cross, and follow Jesus’ lead and example in the little things or the big things which will arise today, and which will require from you patience (long suffering), forgiveness, restraint, self-control, perseverance, humility, and personal sacrifice with no personal reward other than the blessing of worshipping and glorifying God. Also, take no credit for your good deeds. If they aren’t noticed by others, praise God. If they are noticed by others, don’t even use the words “I” or “me” to express your own humility, rather, proclaim the goodness of God, and leave yourself out of it to avoid taking pride in your “humility.”
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 