Bibledoorajar: "How can we clear ourselves?"

Jacob's sons began the return to Jacob bringing Benjamin with them. But little did they know that Joseph had one final test of them. In Benjamin's bag was not only the returned money but Joseph's silver cup. They were followed by Joseph's official and when found they were confronted. Astounded, they realized the situation was such that no matter how much they explained, they could not escape guilt. Finally, they were taken back into the presence of Joseph who confronted them again for taking his cup of divination. He asked them how did they think he would not know the cup was stolen given its use in his ability to divine things. Whether or not Joseph really used the cup in this way is not clear from the text, but what is clear is that the sons would have known of its' use in pagan lands. It is doubtful that Joseph used a cup of this sort given that God had gifted him with special knowledge. At any rate the men were distraught. They were so distraught that “they tore their clothes” (Genesis 44:13). Judah asked the viceroy how they could possibly clear themselves. This is what Judah said: "God has found out the guilt of your servants; behold, we are my lord's servants” (Genesis 44:16). Joseph’s test had worked. His brothers were immediately convicted of their sin and attributed their current misfortune to God’s hand of justice in the mistreatment of their brother. The brother's journey of accepting The Divine and their guilt had terminated with them tearing their clothes in anguish and asking the question: How can we clear ourselves?

This position is what the preachers call "godly sorrow," the result of frequent defeat. Jesus compared a Pharisee and a Publican. The pharisee prayed to God thanking Him that he was not as other men while the Publican asked God's grace on him, a sinful man. Jesus implied that this realization on the part of the Publican was an important one, a sure sign that the Spirit was at work convicting the Publican of his sin and at the same time revealing the goodness of God. Only through this work can one's sinful soul be quieted. Jesus says the same thing as Joseph: "Did you think I would not know considering my position as Lord of all?

          "Be Still and Know that I am God
           Be still and know that I am God
           Be still and know that I am God."  A song taken from Psalm 46

This is where the brothers found themselves. What is your self-assessment? Only He is deserving to be exalted. Only He can quiet the sinful soul. Jesus asks, did you think I would not know?

Bibledoorajar Looks at Giving Up Self-Deception

     Jacob's ten sons have been on a journey of enlightenment. Slowly and patiently Joseph led them through events that highlighted within them their great guilt in disposing of Joseph and bringing pain to their father. In a conversation among themselves, Joseph overhears them admit their guilt. Joseph provided atonement for their great sin by returning their money in their sacks as they left Egypt. They may be forgiven, but it would not be a forgiveness bought with money. Rather, it would be a free gift to men who had given up their self-deception and admitted their sinful nature. Now, Joseph has asked them to bring Benjamin to him. He desired to see how Benjamin had been treated by them. Had they mistreated him as they did Joseph? Was the negativity that led them into temptation lessened? Had their vision of themselves and their world been impacted by what Joseph had asked of them? In short, were they humbled and ready to call Joseph their friend and brother?

     Years later the Greater Son had many conversations with His disciples. He called them His friends, but had many serious conversations about the perils of temptation and the problems of self deception. He asked them to view the peril as if a millstone were around their neck pulling them and others under. Such a condition does not leave one in a position to live freely or to be in a position to freely help others. Jesus told them that He would send a Friend, A Wonderful Counselor, after He was gone. Like Joseph to his brothers, this Holy Spirit would not leave us alone in our difficulties. But rather He, too,  sees us through even as He convicts us of our sin. What a wonderful provision, rescue and Gift.

Bibledoorajar Speaks of Jacob and El Shaddai

                       El Shaddai: God Almighty; The All- Sufficient One

     Reuben, Jacob's eldest son, tells his father that if he will release Benjamin to go back to Egypt with the brothers, then he (Reuben) would pledge to protect and return both Benjamin and Simeon who was being held in prison. Further, if he did not do so, then he (Reuben) would gladly give up his own sons. Jacob said no to this plan. After all, Reuben's sons were his sons (grandsons) and Jacob did not want to lose --any part of the future of the clan. But then Judah ("praise"--the son from whom Jesus the man was descended) said that he would take the responsibility. To this Jacob agreed. Jacob gave the sons twice the necessary money to give the Viceroy and told them to freely carry it to him in their hands. He also sent a costly gift. And then the Bible says the head of the clan said to Judah ("praise"):

"And El Shaddai give you Judah ("praise") mercy before the man (Viceroy, RAP), that he may send away your other brother and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children then I am bereaved." Gen. 43:14

There was a chance that Israel (Jacob) might lose his children and thus be bereaved, but his appeal was to the Almighty with whom he had a merciful relationship. This is the fourth time that Israel's merciful relationship with El Shaddai has been referenced. His appeal for blessing was based on merciful promises from El Shaddai, The Almighty One. This is where his hope lay as he sent his sons back to Egypt. This is the nature of God that Israel, the spiritual head of the clan, had come to rest in.

Years later Jesus, the Son of the Most High God (his nature) came also bringing the opportunity for a merciful relationship with His Father. He praised Him for His mercy and encouraged all to come to Him. The name Most High God reflects the nature of Him who is being presented to us. His powerful nature is greater than any other gods and yet He extends mercy through His Son. How great is that? Now is the time to come to Him, trusting Him even to the point of possible bereavement. Have you taken that step?

 

Bibledoorajar Attests that God's Thinking is the Best

We have seen a clear difference between Jacob's sons. The ones that sold Joseph into slavery have been living disguised lives of a true son. Their quick thoughts of how to cruelly deal with a beloved son and their fleeting thoughts of remorse since that time belie their fallen nature. Joseph, on the other hand, seems to have truly assimilated a higher mode of existence in accordance to what the brothers had been taught of God. Even in a strange land, he honored his God. And so, the guilty brothers stood before Joseph having been found guilty of spying. Joseph had to wonder if the brothers had rid themselves of him because of the exaltation of himself in his dreams or did they also despise both the brothers (Benjamin ) of Rachel, Jacob's beloved? And so, he devised a plan to insure Benjamin's safety and also for the brothers to prove their innocence. He told the brothers that he would not keep their families from starving while they were imprisioned. He made it clear to the brothers that he was only interested in fairness and justice so therefore he would hold a brother in prison for security. I am sure the guilty brothers were crestfallen at the thought of trying to explain that to Jacob!

The brothers went home and stood before their father with food and returned money. They insisted that the Pharaoah's Viceroy demanded that Benjamin be brought before him in order for Simeon (interestingly, the brother who plead for the pit for Joseph instead of death) to be released. At least, now, the brothers were telling their father the truth. However, they were also scared because the returned money could be a pretext of Joseph to enslave them for thievery.  Jacob was struck with grief. The situation with his children seemed to be going from bad to worse. First the loss of Joseph, then Simeon, and now, potentially, the loss of Benjamin.  It was almost more than Jacob could contain. The distraught father thought. On the one hand, he had nine sons standing before him with gifts of food (the money had been returned) including enough for Simeon's family. On the other, he had assurance of more sustenance if the Viceroy was speaking the truth.

In Romans 12, Paul says that a believer has to have his thinking transformed in order to really see his situation clearly. We cannot be like Jacob's sons living our lives by the ways of the world. Just as Joseph's dreams would have to come true according to God's will, so must our thinking be changed to follow the Son and His commands. This transformation leads to true reality and life. It's a better choice. Give it some thought.

Bibledoorajar Returns August 13, 2014