January 30 Daily Devotional

Genesis 44–45

Joseph commanded the steward of his house, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks, as much as they can carry, and put every man’s money in his sack’s mouth. And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest.” The steward did so, and early in the morning the brothers started to go home. A little later Joseph said to his steward, “Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?” He should mention, that a silver cup was missing and that they were suspected of having taken the same.

When he overtook them, he spoke unto them these same words. They said, Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought back; how then should we steal silver or gold? With whom the cup be found, let him die, and we all be my lord’s bondmen. Then the brothers took the sacks and opened them. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. How did it get there? Everything seemed to be against them. They could not part with Benjamin. Tearing their clothes as an expression of grief, they turned back to the city.

Joseph was waiting at his house for their coming. “What deed is this ye have done?” Joseph demanded sternly, as they fell on their faces before him. Judah said, What shall we say? God hath found out the sin of thy servants: behold we are my lord’s bondmen. “God forbid that I should do so,” Joseph said, “the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.” Then Judah stepped up to Joseph. He made a long explanation and entreaty, saying that Benjamin was their father’s youngest and best-loved son, and that if anything should happen to him, their father would die of grief. He offered to stay behind and be Joseph’s servant, if he would only let Benjamin go.

Joseph knew now what he had longed to know, that his brothers no longer were cruel and selfish, as they had been when they sold him. He could no longer refrain himself. He sent all the Egyptians out of the room. He wept aloud and said, “I am Joseph; doth my father yet live?” How amazed his brothers were, as they heard these words spoken in their own language. As they could not answer, he went on, “Come near to me, I pray you … I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.” Think not that I am angry, “for God did send me before you to preserve your lives … There are yet five years, in which there shall neither be sowing nor harvest.” He told his brothers to go back to their father and tell him that Joseph invited him to come to Egypt while the famine should last. He fell upon Benjamin’s neck and wept. He embraced his brothers, indicating that he had forgiven them.