Bible Study Online Article

In the last article we wrote about how Joseph was perhaps, struggling with the idea of seeking revenge against his brothers?

I say "perhaps" for there are different viewpoints on what Joseph's true agenda was after the Lord had delivered his brothers into his hands.

I for one, believe that Joseph's agenda against his brothers is one that's constantly evolving; as Joseph continues to learn more about his brothers true nature at this point in their lives.

The reason why I see his agenda as constantly evolving? Is when I first look at the moment that God had first delivered Joseph's brothers into his hands?

For I truly believe that Joseph's old emotions were stirred and the struggle to seek revenge was at its strongest. But then he learnt that his little brother Benjamin was still alive; I like to think that this bit of important information had helped to give him pause, when it came to seeking revengeful actions against his brothers?

Understand that betwixt all twelve brothers, there were four mothers between them. Joseph and Benjamin had the same mother, which was Rachel. Out of all four women, Rachel was the one that Joseph's father Jacob, truly loved.

You must also understand that from out of all the four women, Rachel was the one that had trouble when it came to bearing children. Because of this, she would be the last, from out of the four women; to have the pleasure of bearing a child of her own. So therefore, when Joseph, who was her first of two, was born; he instantly became Jacob's favorite.

These are very important facts know, for you must also understand -- that these are the reasons why a strong competitiveness and envy had existed between the brothers. Needless to say, that this household environment had become very toxic; and this is what started the process that would place Joseph on a path that would take him all the way to the second most powerful seat in all the land.

Next, we learnt how God would move through the natural and reveal to Joseph the true nature, when it came to the hearts and minds of his brothers? For if, we were, to look at the way they had treated Joseph, it wouldn't be hard to see how he would view them as very wicked and evil men.

Perhaps this was the case some twenty years ago when it came to Joseph's brothers; for their jealousy and envy against their brother had grown to such a point, to where coldness and wickedness had captured their hearts and minds.

Understand that although Joseph had been given the honor to have his storied account recorded from within God's sacred writings, he was, after all -- human.

If you can remember this while your studying God's Word, it will help you to see past the limits when it comes to a specific time period or culture; and connect with the core of this particular account -- Joseph's heart and mind.

If you can learn to embrace this method of approach when it comes to your Biblical studies, you'll be amazed at how transcending and transforming the Bible can truly be in your life.

"Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain; to put each man's silver back in his sack; and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done to them, they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left." (Genesis 42:25)

Now, this Scripture informs us that Joseph had the money returned that his brothers had used to purchase the grain with, returned back to them. This is the second clear sign that Joseph is allowing God to continue to lead him in this ordeal in spite of his own feelings.

This is the first sign:

"Do this and you will live, for I fear God: If you are honest with me, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.'" (Genesis 42:18-20)

The mere fact that Joseph's mentions that he has the fear of God, shows that he realizes that he will still be held accountable by the Almighty; even though Joseph had good reasons to seek revenge.

So therefore, I don't think that Joseph had the money secretly return in order for him to perhaps, trump up more charges against his brothers. For he had already had them charged as spies, now this would make them thieves as well.

Understand that Joseph has a good heart and has shown his excellent character throughout this whole ordeal leading up to this point in his life. With things going so well for him, I just don't see him changing for the worse all of a sudden, in spite of his inner angry emotions towards his brothers.

Be as it may, the brothers have now headed out back home to their father in order for them to retrieve Benjamin and bring him back to Joseph, in exchange for Simeon; who Joseph had kept in prison.

But on their way back, they decided to stop and rest for the night; and much to their surprise -- one of them opened his sack and found the sliver that they were suppose to use to buy grain with. Now this wasn't good news, not at all. For it was at this point they realized the horrible ramifications behind this discovery:

"My sliver has been returned,' he said to his brothers. 'Here it is in my sack.' Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said: 'What is this that God has done to us?'" (Genesis 42:28)

I'll like to think that this Scripture takes us further into the process of how God is dealing with these men, for their past actions against Joseph. I personally believe that Joseph's brothers never really had inner peace after they had betrayed Joseph from the very beginning?

Then for them to go and tell the untruthful horrible news to their father Jacob and then watch the crumbling of his breaking heart; for he now believed that Joseph his favorite son was dead.

For them to live that with that wicked secret and to watch the mournful season that they shackled their father with -- I must ask: "Where's the inner peace in that!"

When they first left for Egypt it was ten of them, now they return with one of them missing. How will Jacob respond to, perhaps, losing another son? How will Jacob respond to the story that his son's are now about to tell him? And what about his new favorite son, Benjamin -- will he allow him to depart from him as well?

The Introduction of Abraham

The Birth of Isaac

The Birth of Esau & Jacob

Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty

Jacob - Wrestles with God

Joseph the Favorite Son

**YOUR CURRENT SERIES WOULD BE HERE**

83) Pharaoh's Dark Dreams

84) Joseph's Dark Dreams Interpretation

85) Joseph the Overseer of Egypt

86) Joseph the Revealer of Secrets

87) The Unveiling of Pharaoh

88) The Seven Years of Abundance

89) The Famine of Seven Years

90) Joseph the Egyptian Prime Minister

91) Joseph the Temptation of Revenge

92) Joseph's Tipping Point

93) The Confessions of the Ten Tribes

94) <-CURRENT PAGE->

95) Jacob the Bereaved

96) Jacob's Reality Check

97) Joseph's Secret Delight

98) Joseph the Great Host

99) Judah Pleads For Benjamin

100) The Unveiling of Joseph

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