Bible Study Online Article
We have now reached the point to where Joseph finds himself in a near perfect situation to seek revenge against his brothers, for their betrayal against him some twenty years ago. Joseph is clearly struggling with the idea of given to his temptation when it comes to retaliation. Understand that Joseph has been through a lot in his life when it comes to him having to endure a season of dark captivity and uncertainty for thirteen years of his life. But in spite of all this, it's his fear of God that has helped to give him pause when it comes to him acting on his anger for what his brothers had done to him. But now were treated to a moment in which we find God moving through the natural in order to reveal the answers to the things that are eating away at our hearts and minds. Understand that Joseph is there looking at his brothers while their locked up in custody. He's pondering on what he should do to them, but he's also wondering what kind of men his brothers truly are? For if they are the cold-hearted and wicked minded men as their actions had shown some twenty years ago, then Joseph would have no problem sentencing them to the same type of captivity that he had to endure for thirteen years. But, what if, he's wrong in his assumptions? These ten men that are known to him as his brothers are also the sons of Jacob, so therefore they know about the one true God. Could they be so bold with their wickedness to go against the Almighty? Watch how God moves in the natural to get Joseph's attention while answering his concerns in the process? As his brothers were sitting in prison with him near by stewing, Joseph hears an interesting conversation taking place: "Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come upon us," they said betwixt themselves. Real quick, I just want to point out that when they stated: "...when he pleaded with us for his life..." Could this be a new revelation on what had happen while Joseph was sitting in that dark pit they had thrown him in, while they contemplated killing him? Perhaps, for we must understand that this wasn't mention when this account was first recorded: "So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his rob -- the richly ornamented robe he was wearing; and they took him and threw him in the cistern (pit). Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt" (Genesis 37:23-25) See that? No mention of what had happened while Joseph was inside the pit. This is important for a number of reasons, but I will only mention two at this time. First, it shows just how truly cold-hearted and wicked minded his brothers had become towards him. Second, the difference between the two passages gives us a much deeper insight into the unlimited stimulating power of the Bible when it comes to our spirituality and our mental state of mind as we make our journey through the sacred Scriptures. I'll tell you this; if you really get into the Word of God you'll learn just how much of a map-of-life it really can be? If you stick with me as we continue through this Great Book, this fact we become clearer to you as we delve deeper into the Sacred Scriptures. I do apologize for digressing -- moving forward with the current record of Joseph: After Reuben had heard the convictions of his brothers, he wanted to make something clear when it came to the part that he played while all of this was going on: "Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn't listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood." Understand that the convictions of Joseph's brothers are true and very sincere, being that they didn't know that Joseph could understand the Hebrew language they were speaking in. After all, they didn't recognize him and in their minds; they thought he was an Egyptian. Especially since Joseph was speaking through an interpreter, they had no idea that he could understand them. Joseph had heard their convictions and perhaps gained some insight into who they really were as well? Perhaps they too had changed? But, be as it may, Joseph had to continue to play the role of -- Zaphenath-Paneah the Revealer of Secrets; for he wanted to make sure that Benjamin was indeed well and in one piece. So after Joseph had heard his brother's confessions, he turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again. Now, the Scriptures don't tell us what he had said them, but next we learn that he had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes. This order of action would reinforce and remind them the seriousness of the situation. Because of the length of the article we will pick up for this point in the next one. But as we can see from the text, things are becoming a little bit more interesting; and it looks as if Simeon will be the one staying behind. Now that Joseph has sent them on their way to get Benjamin, I wonder what their father Jacob; has to say concerning all of this?
Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty **YOUR CURRENT SERIES WOULD BE HERE** 84) Joseph's Dark Dreams Interpretation 85) Joseph the Overseer of Egypt 86) Joseph the Revealer of Secrets 88) The Seven Years of Abundance 90) Joseph the Egyptian Prime Minister 91) Joseph the Temptation of Revenge 93) <-CURRENT PAGE->  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!
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