Mar 24

Genesis 42:1-38
Memorise James 5:16
“We are verily guilty concerning our brother”

After seven years of abundance had passed, the time of famine started. Back in Canaan, Jacob and his family too felt its effects. More than 20 years had passed since they took their brother into slavery. Hearing of the stores of grain in Egypt, Jacob sent his ten older sons to buy food from the storehouses which were under the charge of Joseph. He kept his youngest son Benjamin back with him, for he had not forgotten his loss of Joseph.

Thus Joseph meets his brothers for the first time in more than twenty years, though only the former recognises the latter. Joseph decided to put his brother through some tests, to see if they had matured and repented of their past transgressions, or were they still the same malicious, proud and devious brothers that sold him away 20 years ago. He accused them of espionage and cast them into prison. He demanded that their youngest brother be brought also as proof that their story was true. As they discussed this matter amongst themselves (not knowing that Joseph could understand their Hebrew tongue), their conscience pricked them, as their current predicament must have reminded them of what they did to Joseph. They said one to another, “we are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress come upon us” (Genesis 42:21).

In hearing this, Joseph turned from them and wept, overwhelmed by the mix of emotions he must have been experiencing. He bound Simeon, and then instructed his servants to give his brothers the food they needed, and also to return them the money for the grains. This was only discovered after they left, and they were afraid, exclaiming “what is this that God hath done unto us!” (Genesis 42:28). Again, their guilty conscience surfaced. It seemed that this matter continued to weigh heavily on their minds, and they were constantly looking over their shoulder, almost expecting a just recompense from God for the sin that they had committed. Yet they never confessed their sin and deception to their father, allowing him to continue to grieve. They never truly repented, but only discussed the matter between themselves, perhaps thinking that if they continued to hide it, the sin would just go away. Dear teen, is this how you live as well?

Thought: Is it true repentance if we don’t confess?
Prayer: Lord, may I be quick to confess and repent of all my sins.