Genesis 44 – 47
At this point Joseph is playing with his brothers and in verse 44:1 & 2 he actually sets a trap for them:
1 Then he commanded the steward of his house, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, 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.
I never understood the logic behind why Joseph did this and just not welcomed his brothers in the first place, but that’s the story. See after they left Joseph sent his guards out to expose his set up. His brothers of course were surprised and plead mercy on their return.
Verse 45:8 really is the key to Joseph’s story:
So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
Everything leading up to his position with the Pharaoh was not so great. Sure he had a brief moment before his jailing to have a good position, but for the most his life was bad. His brothers sold him into slavery and he was jailed much of the time. This is a great story of how life may not be rosy all the time, but God will often make the best of bad situations.
If Joseph’s original vision of his brothers bowing before him instantly came true it would not have the same impact. We always want to take the easy path, especially today with the “easy button” where we just want everything now. Instant gratification ends up getting people in more trouble than not, the current financial mess is the perfect example. Instead of saving for their desires and stashing some for a “rainy day”, we spent and borrowed so when the “rainy day” came everyone was broke which caused a financial “tail spin.”
Verse 46:3 has God talking to Jacob:
Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation.
As with God being involved in Joseph’s life, Jacob is being called to Egypt under the protection of his son. I always read these stories and wish God would talk directly to me, but then forget all the times His hand has been on my life. Sure I have had mess ups and problems, but for the most part that was my doing.
I often wonder if Joseph has not been sold into slavery, would the Israelites have survived the famine. Would Joseph have made sure his family stored up provisions prior? Or was God’s plan all along to place him in Egypt where he could save more? Think about it the dream that foretold the famine was the Pharaoh’s dream and if Joseph had not been there to interpret, the famine may have come with no preparation. God never said life would be easy without trials, but notice He tends to make the best out of bad things.