Wed.’s Devo - Guilt - the Peace Robber

Read: Genesis 42:18-43:34; Matthew 13:47-14:12; Psalm 18:16-36; Proverbs 4:7-10 After three days in prison, Jacob came and let all of them out, except Simeon. He listened as they argued over what they did to him years ago. Reuben rebuked them because he had told them not to sin against Joseph. They spoke freely because they didn’t know that Joseph could understand Hebrew. *** Joseph kept Simeon as collateral so they would bring Benjamin when they came back. My guess of why he chose Simeon is because Reuben was first-born, but he had planned to rescue Joseph out of the pit. Simeon was second-born and the oldest of the rest of them. He should have stepped up and stopped them, but he participated with them instead. *** He sent the rest home with their money in their sacks and provisions for their travel. When they discovered their money was in their sack, instead of rejoicing, they were afraid. Guilt paints everything with fear and distrust. Confessed sin sets you free. They had a secret that clouded everything that happened in their lives. Instead of seeing the blessing of provisions, they were suspicious. *** After a while, they ran out of grain again, and had no option but to take Benjamin with them. Finally, Jacob agreed and let them. Judah vouched for his safety. *** As soon as Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he had his servants bring them to his house and instructed the servants to kill a fatted calf because they were having lunch with him. All the brothers could think of was their guilt. They immediately explained to Joseph how their money was found in their sack and they had brought it back as well as enough to buy more grain. Joseph told them to be at peace, because your God and father put that treasure in your sacks for you. He said that he received their money. (I wonder what they thought about that response!) *** Joseph then brought Simeon out to them and they were given water. They were able to wash their feet, feed their donkeys and prepared the gift they had brought for Joseph. They had been told they were to eat with Joseph at noon. *** When Joseph arrived, they bowed to the ground and he asked about their father and if this was Benjamin. Joseph had to leave the room, he got so emotional about seeing Benjamin. The brothers were seated according to their birthright which amazed them. This was probably how they had eaten as children. They ate the food from Joseph’s table although he was at a separate table and Benjamin was given five times as much as the others. They all drank and had a good time. *** In Matthew, Jesus gave another parable about the evil being judged and thrown into the fire at the end of the age. The good were put into containers to be saved. *** Jesus asked them if they understood what he was saying and when they did, he added that every scribe who had been trained for the kingdom of heaven has treasure that is both old and new. He was referring to a person who knows how to draw the treasure from the old covenant and the new. *** Jesus went to his hometown and taught in their synagogue. The people marveled at his wisdom because they knew him as Mary and Joseph’s son. They were offended at what he said to them. Jesus answered that “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” He couldn’t do many miracles there because of their skepticism. *** Herod heard about Jesus’ reputation and was afraid that John the Baptist had come back to life after he had had him beheaded. *** Lord, may we confess our sins and not live in guilt. If we have confessed our sins and still live in fear may we see that as condemnation from the devil and refuse to listen to his lies. May we live free and sinless because of the blood of Christ which has washed us and made us new creatures.