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YIELDING AND TRUSTING
SATURDAY, MARCH 8
Genesis 42:29-43:14

Psalm 34:1-11

 

“Commit thy way unto the Lord…”

 

YIELDING AND TRUSTING
 
With their reviving spiritual condition, they said one to another, “What is this that God hath done unto us?” (Gen 42:28). The happenings of the past few days had built up such great tension and anxiety that the brothers began to recognise that God’s hand was in the whole matter. To continue to run their own lives “in the flesh” would not do! God was dealing with them. They had to fully yield, otherwise they would not have peace.
 
Jacob refused to entertain the demand for Benjamin to be taken to Egypt: “You have bereaved me of two sons. Now you want to take Benjamin away. Everything is against me!” For Jacob, there was a lesson to be learnt also. Over the years, he had slackened in his zeal towards God. He had to come back to the place of full trust and obedience. Their physical need compelled them to submit to another lesson in God’s school of chastening. Even Jacob had to re-learn the same lesson. As their food stocks ran dry, he had to yield: “Go again, buy us a little food,” (Gen 43:2). But without Benjamin! At this impasse, Judah assumed leadership of the brothers. He set out the case for going down to Egypt with Benjamin: “Let Benjamin go with me. I will be surety for him. Let me personally be responsible for his safe return. We must go and get food that we may live and not die.” The argument was forcibly driven home to Jacob: “If you fear for Benjamin and keep him at home, then we will all starve to death. If we see the Egyptian without Benjamin, we will also die!”
 
Then Jacob saw the light. “If it has to be, it has to be! But do things the right way: with dignity, courtesy, honesty! Take along the best gifts for the Governor, and also double the money to make good the payment for the previous supplies. Take also your brother.” Finally, Jacob demonstrated his implicit trust in God. “And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved… I am bereaved” (Gen 43:14). Jacob had arrived at the place of total surrender to the hand of God.
 
THOUGHT: (Read Hebrews 12:7.)
PRAYER: Let me not struggle against Thee, Father, but let me do Thy bidding willingly.

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