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PRICKING OF THE CONSCIENCE
FRIDAY, MARCH 7
Genesis 42:21-28

Psalm 33:1-11

 

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart…”

 

PRICKING OF THE CONSCIENCE
 
For twenty years, Jacob’s wayward sons lived with their secret concealed from their father. Having disposed of Joseph to satisfy their blood lust, they thought that was the end of the matter. Their conscience benumbed by envy and hatred, they lived on as though nothing had happened.
 
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper” (Prov 28:13). “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num 32:23). Suddenly, in Egypt they were confronted by a man of authority and power. To prove it, he promptly threw them into prison. On the third day, he declared himself to be one who feared God! And he who was the Egyptian Governor, demanded to see their youngest brother! The brothers’ deadened conscience began to stir to life and their crime of twenty years ago flashed to mind. With Joseph looking on, they confessed their guilt concerning their brother. They publicly admitted that they were reaping what they had sown. Reuben chided the rest by reminding them how his pleading for their brother had fallen on deaf ears, and thus the greater was their evil.
 
The words of remorse moved Joseph to tears. How he longed to reveal himself to them, but no! The great work of chastening had to be completed, for their sakes, and for the sake of the nation-to-be. So Joseph detained Simeon in bonds, and sent off the others with their corn, but secretly commanded the servants to return their money in the bags.
 
Confrontation by the “…lord of the land…” (Gen 42:30) in Egypt and three days in prison had revived the brothers’ conscience. With the threat of death and Simeon detained as hostage, they hurried home to report to their father. On the way, they had been shocked to find in one of the sacks of corn the money returned. But their greater shock was when they found that “every man’s bundle of money was in his sack…” (Gen 42:35). Mystified and fearful, they wondered what new charge the Egyptian Governor would hurl at them. Their conscience was stirred, but the testing had to go on to full conversion!
 
THOUGHT: Remorse is good, but not good enough.
PRAYER: Soften my conscience and my heart, O Father. Make me malleable under Thy moulding hand.

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