Bible Study Online ArticleLocated at the Bottom of Page In the last article we learned that after Joseph had discovered that his little brother Benjamin was still alive, he presented the rest of his brothers with an ultimatum that dealt with them going back home and retrieving Benjamin.
Understand that Joseph wanted Benjamin to be in Egypt with him, and to somewhat guarantee that his older brothers would keep their word, he imprisoned his brother Simeon. This move on Joseph's part also reinforced and showed his brothers the seriousness of his demands. Now remember that up to this point Joseph's brothers still didn't recognize who Joseph really was. For they didn't know that he was the brother they had betrayed and sold into slavery some twenty years before. Be that as it may, we now find that Joseph's brothers had made it back home to present their father with the bad news, that dealt with Simeon and Benjamin? As they came before their father, they said: "The man who is over the land spoke harshly to us and treated us as though we were spying on land. But we said to them: 'We are honest men; we are not spies. We were twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more and the youngest is now with our father in Canaan.' "Then the man who is lord over the land said to us: 'This is how I will know whether you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me; and take food for your starving households and go. But bring your youngest brother to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you; and you can trade in the land.'" -- Genesis 42:30-34 Now after hearing all of this, one should be able to see that this proved to be a disturbing moment for Jacob. Personally I can imagine him having a look of astonishment, and disappointment on his face, while his sons were telling him about the things that had taken place in Egypt. I also wouldn't be surprised if Jacob at this point, had given himself over to the idea that his sons were completely incompetent. However, this wouldn't be all when it came to the disturbing report that Jacob's sons were now springing on him all of a sudden. For we find that Jacob would see something as his sons unpacked their bags that would cause him to become very afraid: "As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man's sack was his pouch of sliver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened." -- (Genesis 42:35) Keep in mind that Jacob's sons had already knew about the money pouches, for they had discovered them after they had stopped to rest while they were making their way back home from Egypt. Now perhaps, after they had saw how concerned, and fearful their father was, the fear they once experienced on the road had return to them as well. Nevertheless, it would be at this point that Jacob would just lose his composure and because of this, he tells his sons how he really feels about the overall situation: "You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more; and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!" -- Genesis 42:36 Now it's at this point where we find Jacob who was God-fearing, a man who had the privilege to meet personally with the Lord on numerous occasions, a man who God Himself confirmed as the new "promise bearer" of the Abrahamic Covenant - which were a reminder that great things were going to be done through him and his seed. For we now have the opportunity to benefit from the advantage that the Sacred Record brings us. Being that we're now able to get a rare glimpse into Jacob's mind and heart. And because of this advantage, we're also able to see first hand, the personal battle that Jacob is dealing with when it comes to his mental and spiritual state. Understand that Jacob is beginning to lose his personal battle when it comes to him staying strong in his faith and maintaining a peace of mind of some sorts, while he endures this overall ordeal. And because of this we begin to see that he's having doubts about his overall purpose. Know that it's because of these doubts that we now see Jacob running the risk of being forever shackled by his "season of suffering" - a season that was created from the lost of his son Joseph and the potential loss of his youngest son Benjamin. In all honesty, is this any different from us today here in the 21st century? Here we have a man who obeys and loves the One True God - a man who has witness first hand the power, and the gifts of provision, mercy and grace that the Lord has bestowed on him, and yet, he suffers. Also understand that Jacob is gifted in so many ways and the Lord has used him on so many different occasions and yet, Jacob is still affected negatively by this natural world. This should be a constant reminder to us, that although Jacob has had the honor and privilege to have his name and life recorded from within the Sacred Scriptures, he's still human just like the rest of us. This is why we shouldn't be ignorant and think that these events are in some far away fairytale place and everything is just peachy? No! These Sacred Scriptures and the Author of them which is the Almighty God are intertwined with everything that deals with "life" - spiritually and naturally. Know that we're extremely fortunate to be able to have a Record of such insight, depth and validity, when it comes to the Sacred Record - for it allow us to be able to see how the Lord moves, and interacts with us on a daily basis, both in the natural and the spiritual. To put it simply, the Holy Scriptures gives us the ability to see God both naturally and spiritually. Also know that we're able to see how God is laying the foundation and expectation for the next phase that deals with the "promise" He had made not only to Jacob, but to his father Isaac, and to his grandfather Abraham as well. But Jacob doesn't see this, and to make matters worse, he seems to have lost sight of that path that God had paved out for him, and has allowed himself to be blinded by the hardships in his life. This is why we must keep in mind, that we too, also have promises, gifts and talents that God has made and bestowed upon us as well. And just because we haven't been able to identify, recognize, or to simply see the path of greatness that God has for each and everyone of us, does not mean that the path isn't there. So don't make the mistake of thinking that you don't have purpose. And don't ever make the mistake of giving up on the things that you're most passionate about. Know that God has laid out "great promises" for those who choose to believe in Him and His son Jesus Christ. Continue to have faith, and never give up on the God that molded and crafted you. Always be diligent and a good steward in the things, and tasks that the Lord has placed before you. Know that He made you to be priceless, a living treasure trove that's loaded with gifts and talents that no other creature possesses. God loves you, never forget that. It's clear at this point that Jacob doesn't trust his sons and his faith has been severely shaken. And with Jacob being in this type of mindset and by his heart quickly filling up with pain and sorrow, the question is still without an answer: "Will he let Benjamin go back to Egypt with his brothers?" For Benjamin is the last child of his late wife Rachel, the woman that he loved with all his heart; and with her other child Joseph, who is presumed to be dead, what will he do if Benjamin too, is also taken away from him? After all the Lord has done for him, has Jacob finally been forsaken by this same God?
Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty **YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE 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) The Confessions of the Ten Tribes 95) <-CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE PAGE-> 
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