When dealing with estranged family members we must first deal within ourselves. Joseph realized that everything he was going through was allowed by GOD in some fashion or another. He most of all wanted to be reunited with his family on good terms. He tested them and saw that they had indeed changed in their attitude and demeanor.
The biggest test is actually in ourselves. The LORD commands us to forgive even if the other side does not receive it. Our prayers for them must be genuine and deep for their success. It will not be easy, nor be quickly corrected; but it will bring comfort in CHRIST and peace through the LORD.
If we cannot reconcile within our own families and friends, how can we hope to do GOD'S work with those in need of reconciliation or salvation in the LORD.
Let's us pray fervently and diligently for ourselves, our leaders, and even unto those who use us or treat us spitefully.
May the LORD GOD be praised in us and hear our cries and attend to them. GOD bless everyone on this forum.
So, the family of Jacob did run out of grain, like I previously wondered in my post on Ch. 42. They needed more grain to make bread. Jacob new the terms of returning to Egypt for more grain. He did not want to send Benjamin, but the family needed the grain sorely. Jacob also wanted to have Simeon back from Egypt. After discussing this with his sons, Jacob agreed to send Benjamin back with the other sons. He wanted them to return the money from the first trip and wanted to pay double the price for the grain as before. He also put together a gift of foodstuffs from Canaan. I'm guessing that Egypt did not grow these foods. Jacob knew how to be diplomatic. Pretty sure others have treated him this way when making a deal.
I find it interesting that Jacob was eventually resolved to accept what happens when he said that, "And may Almighty God give you mercy before the man, that he may release your brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved." Jacob was leaving the situation into God's hands. He knew he must send Benjamin.
In Egypt, the brothers are asked to dine with Joseph. Joseph was a governor, a high official. I wonder if the brothers thought it odd for the governor to be so interested in them. But they needed to meet with him to return the money and show Joseph that Benjamin had come with them. Joseph was very moved when he saw Benjamin. It had been over two decades since saw him last. I assume that they were very close growing up, having the same mother.
The brothers noticed when Joseph assigned the seats to the brothers in birth order. And they noticed when Benjamin's serving was 5 times what the other brothers' was. Yet they did not suspect that the governor was Joseph at all.
It appears that they let down their guard during the meal as it says that they drank and were merry with Joseph.
Perhaps, from what they had seen, the brothers may have believed that, indeed, God was being merciful to them.
Good, you're at the right site. Start reading the WORD written inside by clicking the Books, I like Luke when I started that was great to show me as new study who Christ Jesus was, is & is to come. Hover over the scripture here, should bring you straight to it.
Luke 1:1-4, you can continue to read by clicking read full chapter the scroll down, click tab on edges to next chapter, etc. Many people enjoy Psalms, I didn't enjoy it as much as a new beginner study but do enjoy it much more now after years of study.
Psalms 1:1-3,
U may enjoy Exodus, which actually begins in Genesis 37:1-36, continues : Genesis 39:1-23, Genesis 40:1-23, Genesis 41:1-57, Genesis 42:1-38, Genesis 43:1-34, Genesis 44:1-34,
[Note this scripture chapter 44, Genesis, if you noticed we skipped Genesis 38, because it jumps from Joseph to Judah. Now if you read Genesis 38:1-30, you can understand a few things on deeper level = Judah maybe knows painful loss of children at this point in his life & even the difference of love towards children of his "loved wife". Next very importance of Judah's sacrifice for others, resemblance of Jesus sacrifice being beloved Son of GOD. John 3:16, ]also interesting Tamar, bore to Judah the son in Jesus documented lineage Matthew 1:1-3]
Back to story : Genesis 45:1-28, (forgiveness), Genesis 46:1-34, Genesis 47:1-12 (Redemption) Genesis 47:27-31,
Now note: Genesis 47:13-26 , Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 12:10, Genesis 12:11-16, * Genesis 12:13-20, Genesis 16:3, Genesis 16:6-11, Genesis 15:13-14, Genesis 21:8-21, my own opinion Deuteronomy 32:35-36, Romans 12:19.
These moments in Genesis leading up to how & why Israel came into bondage. Exodus 1:1-8, continue reading Exodus 1:22, please continue to read all of Exodus.
One more encouraging note :) Hebrews 11:22, Psalms 105:1-45,
Furthermore on this site under the 1611 Version tab you can scroll to see more history on the Bible.
Hopefully these inspire a new lifetime desire of deeper study
The word 'heart' is a strange word. As you know, we have it in normal English usage & we find it in the Bible as well. There's no specific meaning one can give to it; the best I can do, is to say that the word 'heart' is used when we want to describe someone's innermost being, expressed in the mind, the emotions or in spiritual matters. Just as one's soul & spirit are defined in the Bible & these are the immaterial parts of us, so to our 'heart' is immaterial & probably serves to describe the activity of soul and/or spirit.
The Bible is replete with references to the 'heart': Genesis 6:5,6; Genesis 17:17; Genesis 45:26; Jeremiah 17:9 are just a few examples of the ways that 'heart' is used in the Bible. So when I wrote, "fully convinced in our hearts", my thoughts were on the combination of our mental & emotional aspects, whereby we must firmly believe in mind & display of emotional strength, as we stand against any that should come against us.
As a sideline, the Bible also uses the word 'bowels'. This can refer to our bodily insides ( Genesis 15:4) but also refer to what we denote to the heart, except using the older English expression. So we have Genesis 43:30, Philemon 1:7 as a couple of examples of that. I trust you can see the use of the word 'heart' (& bowels) in Scripture.
No, bowel movement is not mentioned nor implied in the Bible, but we do often see an archaic use of this word 'bowel' in both the Old & New Testaments. I wonder whether this is what you're referring to. If so, then the general understanding of this word is 'one's innermost being, or from the heart, & in some cases refers to the womb & other applications'.
You can check these Scriptures: Genesis 25:23 (the womb); Genesis 43:30 (the heart's yearnings); 2 Samuel 20:10 (the inner bodily parts, such as intestines, stomach, etc.); Philippians 2:1 (love & compassion); etc. So, it is word that has several meanings & applications, but one we wouldn't use now, rather using a word more specific to our intention.
I believe Egypt traded with the surrounding people. That's how Joseph ended up in Egypt. He was sold by his brothers to traders going down into Egypt. And why Abrahams sons went down to Egypt.
Verse 27~Joseph still had deep love and concern for his father even though he had been away from him for many years. We want to continue to show concern and love for our parents.
In many times we go away from the presence of God yet when are being attached that's when we normally remember that there is a God who takes good care of us. when we read the story of the prodigal son this is also in line with what happened to the brothers of Joseph. and what i can encourage is lets not forget our creator who created us in his own image who takes good care us.
Aamer, though Jacob had only 12 sons Abraham was the first to be called a Hebrew in the land of and near Canaan. But that is not the origin of the word. One can trace the word back to people speaking the Semitic language especially the Hebrew and Arabic people. Also, there 's no evidence that Abraham was a Catholic since the Catholic church came to be acknowledged in the second century after the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ during the remaining Roman Empire. God bless us all and also in the understanding of his Word. Glory be to God in the highest through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen!
How did the Egyptians know about Hebrews when Jacob had only 12 sons? They had an interpreter for Joseph, and culturally in was not lawful for an Egyptian to eat with a Hebrew. How could this be, if they really were not a major people but a large Catholic family at this point in time?
Slaughter and animal and we feast. Reminds me of the Prodigal Son. Was this about sinners returning to God or and the Jews being reconciled to him through Christ?
There was enough evidence that the brothers of Joseph had changed from their wickedness by speaking the truth as regards the money that was mysteriously 'returned ' to them, and taken back to Joseph when they went the second time. Restitution is not a common thing nowadays due to economic challenges but as Christians we must restore back to the owners anything that is not ours in our possession. May God help us never to walk ahead of Him but to follow His footsteps in Jesus Name
do we know there is a famine in the land or how long it will last God wants us to come to HIM only some of us will not go much less stay unless we have a silver cup
Justus Idiama Otiang'a on Genesis 43 - 11 years ago
We Never Test The Resources of God until We Attempt The Impossible. Heb 11:1. For You to be Abetter You, You must go through what men narrow see and say it is Impossible.
WILL WE TRUST GOD WHEN OUR BACK IS UP AGAINST THE WALL AND FEEL LIKE ALL HOPE IS GONE? LETS BE TRUTHFUL CAUSE WE NEED TOO TRUST GOD IN ALL SITUATIONS. OUR GOD IS FAITHFUL
The biggest test is actually in ourselves. The LORD commands us to forgive even if the other side does not receive it. Our prayers for them must be genuine and deep for their success. It will not be easy, nor be quickly corrected; but it will bring comfort in CHRIST and peace through the LORD.
If we cannot reconcile within our own families and friends, how can we hope to do GOD'S work with those in need of reconciliation or salvation in the LORD.
Let's us pray fervently and diligently for ourselves, our leaders, and even unto those who use us or treat us spitefully.
May the LORD GOD be praised in us and hear our cries and attend to them. GOD bless everyone on this forum.
September 10, 2022
I find it interesting that Jacob was eventually resolved to accept what happens when he said that, "And may Almighty God give you mercy before the man, that he may release your brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved." Jacob was leaving the situation into God's hands. He knew he must send Benjamin.
In Egypt, the brothers are asked to dine with Joseph. Joseph was a governor, a high official. I wonder if the brothers thought it odd for the governor to be so interested in them. But they needed to meet with him to return the money and show Joseph that Benjamin had come with them. Joseph was very moved when he saw Benjamin. It had been over two decades since saw him last. I assume that they were very close growing up, having the same mother.
The brothers noticed when Joseph assigned the seats to the brothers in birth order. And they noticed when Benjamin's serving was 5 times what the other brothers' was. Yet they did not suspect that the governor was Joseph at all.
It appears that they let down their guard during the meal as it says that they drank and were merry with Joseph.
Perhaps, from what they had seen, the brothers may have believed that, indeed, God was being merciful to them.
Luke 1:1-4, you can continue to read by clicking read full chapter the scroll down, click tab on edges to next chapter, etc. Many people enjoy Psalms, I didn't enjoy it as much as a new beginner study but do enjoy it much more now after years of study.
Psalms 1:1-3,
U may enjoy Exodus, which actually begins in Genesis 37:1-36, continues : Genesis 39:1-23, Genesis 40:1-23, Genesis 41:1-57, Genesis 42:1-38, Genesis 43:1-34, Genesis 44:1-34,
[Note this scripture chapter 44, Genesis, if you noticed we skipped Genesis 38, because it jumps from Joseph to Judah. Now if you read Genesis 38:1-30, you can understand a few things on deeper level = Judah maybe knows painful loss of children at this point in his life & even the difference of love towards children of his "loved wife". Next very importance of Judah's sacrifice for others, resemblance of Jesus sacrifice being beloved Son of GOD. John 3:16, ]also interesting Tamar, bore to Judah the son in Jesus documented lineage Matthew 1:1-3]
Back to story : Genesis 45:1-28, (forgiveness), Genesis 46:1-34, Genesis 47:1-12 (Redemption) Genesis 47:27-31,
Now note: Genesis 47:13-26 , Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 12:10, Genesis 12:11-16, * Genesis 12:13-20, Genesis 16:3, Genesis 16:6-11, Genesis 15:13-14, Genesis 21:8-21, my own opinion Deuteronomy 32:35-36, Romans 12:19.
These moments in Genesis leading up to how & why Israel came into bondage. Exodus 1:1-8, continue reading Exodus 1:22, please continue to read all of Exodus.
One more encouraging note :) Hebrews 11:22, Psalms 105:1-45,
Furthermore on this site under the 1611 Version tab you can scroll to see more history on the Bible.
Hopefully these inspire a new lifetime desire of deeper study
The Bible is replete with references to the 'heart': Genesis 6:5,6; Genesis 17:17; Genesis 45:26; Jeremiah 17:9 are just a few examples of the ways that 'heart' is used in the Bible. So when I wrote, "fully convinced in our hearts", my thoughts were on the combination of our mental & emotional aspects, whereby we must firmly believe in mind & display of emotional strength, as we stand against any that should come against us.
As a sideline, the Bible also uses the word 'bowels'. This can refer to our bodily insides ( Genesis 15:4) but also refer to what we denote to the heart, except using the older English expression. So we have Genesis 43:30, Philemon 1:7 as a couple of examples of that. I trust you can see the use of the word 'heart' (& bowels) in Scripture.
You can check these Scriptures: Genesis 25:23 (the womb); Genesis 43:30 (the heart's yearnings); 2 Samuel 20:10 (the inner bodily parts, such as intestines, stomach, etc.); Philippians 2:1 (love & compassion); etc. So, it is word that has several meanings & applications, but one we wouldn't use now, rather using a word more specific to our intention.
THIS SHOWS SOMETIMES WHEN OUR BACKS ARE UP AGAINST THE WALL WE STEP OUT IN FEAR.
LETS START PRACTICING TO STEP OUT IN FAITH AND COURAGE.
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