Today we are reading Genesis 42. In this chapter we read about the sons of Israel going to Egypt for grain during the famine.“When Jacob learned that there was grain for sale in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?” And he said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain for sale in Egypt. Go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.” So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers, for he feared that harm might happen to him. Thus the sons of Israel came to buy among the others who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan. Now Joseph was governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground. Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them. “Where do you come from?” he said. They said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.” And Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.” Genesis 42:1-8 ESV Suddenly, Joseph is in a position to get even with his brothers for their cruelty. He is in a position of power and they are in a position of desperate need. What would you do? What have you done? Which position is more familiar to you? God blesses the merciful. May you bless others with mercy! Pastor Tim
