The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Genesis 42:14-20, “And Joseph said to them, ‘It is as I said to you, you are spies; 15 by this you will be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here! 16 ‘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 he 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.”

Were you ever faced with an accusation from a person of genuine authority? Well, that’s precisely what Joseph’s brothers encountered as they stood before him in Pharaoh’s house in Egypt! It was indeed a serious matter; yet, the brothers did not know the one accusing them was their young brother Joseph.

Years before, when the brothers were all young, they had, in an act of jealousy, sold Joseph to some strangers who were journeying into Egypt. A severe famine had gripped all of Egypt, and Jacob had sent his sons there to buy food.

Ultimately, the boys were arrested as spies, and although they didn’t know it, they were standing before their brother Joseph. It was Joseph’s plan to give his brothers a “taste of their own medicine” by requiring them to bring him their youngest brother, Benjamin. He agreed that he would then give them the grain and release them to return to their father.

There are multiple “teachings” throughout this experience. Our lesson is that when we do wrong toward others, things will eventually “boomerang” back on us. So, be careful because “…surely your sins will find you out.”

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
United States of America

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