Read: Genesis 44:1-45:28; Matthew 14:13-36; Psalm 18:37-50; Proverbs 4:11-13
Joseph had to make sure all of his brothers had repented and changed so he had his silver cup hidden in Benjamin’s sack. When they had gotten out of the city, Joseph sent his soldiers to find the cup and bring them back.
Jospeh rebuked them for stealing from him and made a big deal about what they stole. They had stolen his cup that told the future which was what Joseph’s life was all about.
Benjamin was the only innocent one of the group concerning what they had done to Joseph years ago. Joseph picked on Benjamin to see if they would throw him under the bus like they did him. No doubt, Benjamin had replaced Joseph in being Jacob’s favorite son. Joseph needed to see if they would treat Benjamin the same way they had treated him.
Judah stepped forward and offered his life for Benjamin’s and his brothers. Jesus would come from his line and do the very same thing 2,000 years later. When Judah did this act he was taking ownership of all he and his brothers had done. He knew he deserved to die for his sin. Now, Joseph knew that they were ready for him to reveal himself to them. When Israel repents as a nation, the glory of God and the Messiah will be revealed to them.
The brothers were shocked and amazed but as Joseph explained, it was God who sent him to Egypt to preserve the life of their whole family. I’m sure they were reminded of his dream of their sheaves bowing down to his.
Joseph sent provision and carts from Egypt to Canaan to get all their families and Jacob and bring them back to Egypt where they would be given the best of the land.
In Matthew, the crowds found Jesus as he was trying to get away by himself. He was filled with compassion for them and healed their sick. It was getting late and there was no place around to get food so the disciples told Jesus he might want to shut it down. Jesus told the disciples to feed them. They rounded up five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus took the food, prayed and broke the loaves. He gave it to the disciples to give to the people. The loaves multiplied in their hands. Twelve basketfuls of leftovers were gathered.
Jesus sent his disciples across the lake, dismissed the crowd, then went up on the mountain to pray. (I don’t think Jesus required much sleep.) During the night a storm arose and the disciples were in the middle of the lake fighting the storm. Jesus was on his way across the lake, walking on the water. When his disciples saw him they thought it was a spirit and were scared. Jesus assured them that it was him and that they didn’t need to be afraid. Peter wanted to walk on water too, so Jesus told him to come and he did. He was doing fine until he looked at his circumstances and sunk. Jesus pulled him out and rebuked him for doubting. The storm died when they stepped into the boat.
They landed at the same place they had been going when they had the other storm and delivered the demoniac. Now the people, who had made them leave before, were ready for him. They brought Jesus all their sick people for him to heal. The demoniac that Jesus had made stay there had been a testimony to them of the power of God that Jesus possessed.
Lord, may we walk in the power that Jesus died to give us. Help us to keep our eyes on you and not the storms in our lives.
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