The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Genesis 42:16-21, “’Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.’”
17 So (Joseph) put them all together in prison for three days.
18 Now Joseph said to them on the third day, “Do this and live, for I fear God:
19 if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in your prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine of your households,
20 and bring your youngest brother to me, so your words may be verified, and you will not die.” And they did so.
21 Then they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.”

Joseph dealt shrewdly with his brothers. He truly wanted to see young Benjamin, but wanted to force the others to bring Benjamin to him. (Joseph had previously spent considerable time in prison himself, and he was okay. What would a few days there hurt his brothers?)

Like Joseph, Jesus and Paul spent considerable time in prisons. Truth lay at the root of all of their imprisonments.
Circumstances often look bleak when they happen to us.
Yet, just as Joseph was secretly in charge, so is Jesus always in charge when we suffer under circumstances.

When we are born again, we belong to Christ Jesus. He is therefore ultimately responsible for us, regardless of the
circumstances that surround us. We will do well just to rest comfortably in Him. His way is always best; and in time we will understand it all. Remember that old song that said, “We’ll understand it better bye and bye.”

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom