Bible Study Online Article
Jacob's sons had finally returned home from buying grain down in Egypt, but this food supply trip wouldn't turn out to be as simple as it should have been? For Jacob's sons would run into Joseph, the brother that they had betrayed and sold into slavery some twenty years ago. But a lot had happen to Joseph since the last time they had saw him, for he wasn't that annoying seventeen year old boy that they hated anymore. Joseph is now thirty seven years old and he has grown into a very wise and powerful man. Understand that the Joseph they once knew would be no more, so therefore they did not recognize him... but Joseph knew who they were. For we must also understand, that the new Joseph that stood before them had become the second most powerful person in the land of Egypt, for he now holds the position of being the Egyptian Prime Minister; and he was now known as "Zaphenath-Paneah the Revealer of Secrets."
As Joseph struggles with the temptation when it comes to seeking revenge against the one's who had betrayed him; it's revealed to him that his younger brother Benjamin, who was not with his brothers; was still alive. It would seem that Joseph, thought that Benjamin had suffered the same fate that he had once suffered as well? Be as it may, Joseph wanted Benjamin to be brought to him. So he allowed nine of his ten brothers (Simeon would stay imprisoned) to return home so they could bring Benjamin back to Egypt. But there will be one major obstacle when it came to Joseph's plans -- his father Jacob? Once Jacob's sons had returned home, they told their father all that had happened to them while they were down in Egypt; and needless to say, Jacob was not happy with what he had just heard. In fact, he was very angry and became fearful once he had also learnt, that although his son's had brought back the grain, they still had the money in which they were to purchase the grain with still in their bags? So he didn't know if his sons had stolen the grain or what? Be as it may, it's at this moment that Jacob finally loses his composure and tells his sons his true feelings 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!" After hearing this, Reuben would try to reassure his father when it came to Benjamin, by offering up his own two sons: "You my put both of my sons to death if I do not bring Benjamin back to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him back." But Jacob would have none of that: "My son will not go down there with you; his brother Joseph is dead; and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow." Jacob's response would bring an end to that discussion; and so therefore Jacob did not send his sons back down to Egypt and they stayed in the land of Canaan while Joseph kept Simeon imprisoned. Some time would pass by and they had ran out of the grain that was brought back from Egypt. Keep in mind that the famine of seven years was still very severe at this time and it was still causing havoc in those parts. This would be unfortunate for them and if they were going to survive; they would have to go back down into Egypt to buy more grain. Understand that this puts Jacob in a very tough situation, for now he has to send his sons back to Egypt, but he still refuses to let Benjamin go back with them. But his son Judah would quickly remind him, that they can't go back into Egypt without Benjamin: "The man warned us solemnly: 'You will not see my face again unless your brother Benjamin is with you.'" After hearing this reminder, Jacob responds by saying: "Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had a brother?" Jacob sons answered him by saying: "The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family: 'Is your father still living?" he asked us. 'Do you have another brother?' We simply answered his questions. How were we to know that he would say: 'Bring your brother down here'?" Then Judah would put forth his own condition along with some very good sound reasoning when it came to Benjamin and their overall situation: "Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die. I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life. As it is, if we had not delayed, we could have gone and returned twice." What Judah had said to his father was very wise and definitely a reality check for Jacob: "Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die." For we must understand, that with this statement Judah had reminded his father; that there was more at stake than just Benjamin safety? For it would seem that Jacob had placed his hope and faith when it came to the future of his household squarely on Benjamin. This was the same mistake that his father Isaac had made before him, when he tried to do the same thing with Jacob's brother Esau. Jacob had become so focused on not letting his late wife Rachel down, that he was determined to make sure that her children would play very important roles when it came to the future of Israel. Little did he know, Joseph and Benjamin would play very important roles when it came to the future of Israel; and Joseph was doing his part at that very moment? But God would be the One that decides when and if those roles will happen... not Jacob. In the meantime, it would be Jacob's job to be a good steward over everything that God had given him; and that included all of his children and not just a select few? Judah had reminded Jacob of this responsibility; for he could not honestly say or think that his other children didn't hold some type of value or purpose when it came to the future of Israel? Reuben... Simeon... Levi... Judah... Dan... Naphtali... Gad... Asher... Issachar... Zebulun... Dinah... Had no value? Not Hardly... for they will all play some king of role when it comes to the future of Israel. Understand that all of Jacob's kids and their own households, all have purpose and value; and shame on Jacob for thinking otherwise. But Jacob would not be alone when it comes to these types of traps and snares? For we also tend to make the same mistakes when we place people or the things that we think are valuable to us ahead of everything else as well. Therefore limiting our potential when it comes to reaping a good harvest that God has for us... to a few things or a select few? Not realizing that everything that God brings into our lives holds some type of value and purpose. You have to understand that it is crucial that we keep our eyes on the Lord and not the world; and if we make good practice of this, then we won't fall into the traps and snares that are designed to limit God to the inner boundaries of our finite minds and narrow perceptions when it comes to these types of area's in our lives. We must learn from Jacob's mistake and not follow down the same path, when it comes to what we think is of importance and value? And although Jacob did not like what he had heard -- he knew Judah had put forth a good point: "If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them to the man as a gift -- a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds. "Take double the amount of sliver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back in the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake? Take your brother also and go back to the man at once. And may God almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your brother Simeon and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved." So Jacob gives in and allows Benjamin to go along with his brothers as they head back to Egypt to buy some more grain and hopefully be able to retrieve Simeon in the process. But some time has gone by; will this affect how Joseph will treat them? Will Joseph allow Simeon to be freed? What about Benjamin, what will happen to him? Will he be allowed to leave Egypt?
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) The Confessions of the Ten Tribes 96) <-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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