Read: Genesis 42:18-43:34; Matthew 13:47-14:12; Psalm 18:16-36; Proverbs 4:7-10
Yesterday, we read about Joseph’s brothers coming to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph devised a plan to test their hearts. He wanted to know if they were the same jealous brothers or if they had changed. They proved that they were at least sorry for what they had done to him. Now he needed to know if they would defend Benjamin since he would have been treated just like Joseph had…as the favorite. They passed. Lastly, he had to get Benjamin to come to Egypt so he could reveal himself to them all at the same time.
The story of Joseph reminds me of how God works in our lives. He sets up series of horrible-looking events to see how we will respond because our response reveals our heart. He has the plan out of the storm and back to safety.
It is interesting that Benjamin would get five times as much on his plate. Joseph wanted to see if his brothers would respond to it in jealousy but it is not recorded if they did.
Benjamin stands for the church since he was not part of throwing Joseph in the pit. He came along afterward and now is seated with Joseph and being honored with the biggest plate. The Gentile bride is going to cause the Jewish nation to jealousy when they see how God lavishes himself on her. Paul teaches all about it in Romans 11:11-27. The saving of the church will be the saving of the Jew.
Five is also the number of grace and the church is going to be saved through grace, not the law.
In Matthew, Jesus went back to his hometown and read and taught in the synagogue. They couldn’t receive from him because they only knew him after the flesh and couldn’t see who God was revealing him to be. I bet this was painful for Mary. Jesus couldn’t do many miracles because of their unbelief.
Herod’s birthday became John’s last day. He was beheaded in a most dishonorable way. He was the predecessor of Jesus so his death had to be violent. It was nothing to compare to the dishonor and humiliation Jesus would go through in his death.
John had fulfilled his destiny and got to go to his reward quickly.
This had to be a sign to Jesus that his time was short.
Lord, you arm us with strength and make our way perfect. You make our feet like the feet of a deer and enable us to stand on the heights.
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