God does not point out our sin to laugh at us or scorn. Instead, he reveals our issues so that we can deal with them appropriately. That is, to be cleansed and forgiven. In the story of Genesis, the brothers need to make a second trip to Egypt. They will face their sin one way or another. Joseph is building with excitement to reveal his unfeigned love for his brethren.
Read Genesis 43:1-44:34
Something that should be jumping off the pages of the Bible to us about this story is Joseph is dropping hints to his brothers all the time. In Genesis 42:18, he says, “for I fear God.” The word used for God is Elohim, which can be a generic term to identify any God. However, the writer of Genesis uses it to signify the One True God of Israel. It’s possible that Joseph is letting his brothers know that he fears their God. We also see in our text today that He knows that his brother’s and father’s God blesses (Genesis 43:23). This Egyptian is very well acquainted with the Hebrew God. Egyptians probably had cultic practices and perspectives against Hebrews. Finally, the individual interest he took in his full brother, Benjamin, and the extra food he gave him (Genesis 43:34). All I can say is Joseph may have disguised himself from his brothers, but at the same time, he is trying his best to get them to recognize him.
God is doing the same thing. First Timothy 1:17 and Colossians 1:5 reminds us that God is invisible. He has dropped hints all the way through the Old Testament about his character in that is it claimed, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Psalm 14:1) The Psalms also teach, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psalm 19:1). God is fully revealed in Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:5). The Father has made himself known fully in the Son and witnesses in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Even more, Christ has left us the Church, His literal body on earth. First John 4:20 says, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” It is difficult for me to believe someone has faith in God but does not live in faithfulness with the Church (by participating in
It is difficult for me to understand that someone has faith in God but does not live in faithfulness with the Church (by participating in fellowship with a local congregation). We have faith in the invisible head of the Church but no faithfulness to the visible body. God has revealed Himself fully in time past through His Son. Today, God continually reveals Himself through His people. Our bodies are the temple His spirit dwells in now (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Not something made with human hands but fashioned by God. So, again, how are you living out the faith you claim to have? God has given us the Church as the community where we are to live out our faith.
Jeremy Kamer Ministries 