Daily Devotions
Genesis
"You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways." Psalm 139:3
Text: Genesis 44:1-34
THE SEARCH
The steward was unmoved by what the brothers said. He ordered a search of the sacks of grain.
“Then each man speedily let down his sack to the ground,
and each opened his sack.”
GENESIS 44:11
As each sack was opened, horror began to take hold of the brothers. The money they had paid was in their sacks! The steward said nothing about that, but continued searching for his master’s silver cup.
“So he searched. He began with the oldest and left off with
the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.
Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey
and returned to the city.”
GENESIS 44:12-13
In great grief and despair, the brothers tore their clothes! How could this have happened? As the steward arrested Benjamin, the brothers returned to the city with the steward and Benjamin. They could not, indeed they would not leave Benjamin to fight this seemingly impossible battle on his own! They would attempt everything within their means to free Benjamin!
PLEADING ON BENDED KNEE
On reaching the home of Joseph, without further ado, the brothers went on bended knee to plead for the life of Benjamin. With great authority, Joseph addressed the petitioners.
“What deed is this you have done? Did you not know that
such a man as I can certainly practise divination?”
GENESIS 44:15
It is important that Joseph is not misunderstood in this text. We need to understand the following context.
1. This was part of an intricate charade that Joseph had devised.
2. He had to play the role of a typical Egyptian high ranking official. (Some of them did practise “divination”. It would be inconceivable that Joseph would indulge in the occult. He had declared his faith in the Lord before Pharaoh earlier Cf. Genesis 41).
The protest of innocence that the brothers made to the steward was useless! That held no weight with the steward. That would be of even lesser significance now that the silver chalice was found in Benjamin’s sack. Nevertheless, an attempt must be made to speak to this austere and powerful Egyptian official. Judah racked his mind as he began his address. He must above every other thing, be absolutely honest in his speech!
“Then Judah said, ‘What shall we say to my lord?
What shall we speak? Or how shall we clear ourselves?'”
GENESIS 44:16a