The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Genesis 42:8-16, “…Joseph had recognized his brothers, although they did not recognize him. Joseph remembered the dreams which he had about them and said to them, “You are spies; you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land.”

10 Then they said to him, “No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food.

11 “We are all sons of one man; we are honest men; your servants are not spies.”

12 Yet he said to them, “No, but you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land!”

13 But they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers in all, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no longer alive.”

14 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.” Joseph had virtually become the ruler of Egypt. Previously, he had been sold into slavery by his brothers. Time had now passed, and the brothers were seeking food in a time of famine with which Egypt had been plagued. All of the brothers were now older and had outgrown the boyishness of their younger years. Joseph had learned the Egyptian language but had retained the Hebrew language which he had originally known. Thus, he had a decided advantage over his brothers, as they spoke among themselves about their home, their father, and their young brother, Benjamin.

Those of us who have come to know Jesus as our LORD and Savior have a decided advantage over others who do not know Him. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, giving us a clear advantage over those without Him. Joseph used his advantage to make his brothers understand the wrong they had done to him. It was nevertheless to Joseph’s advantage. Although he was technically a slave himself, Joseph’s primary allegiance was with the LORD. Thus, he dared not keep silence about his LORD. Those of us who are born-again Christians are somewhat in Joseph’s situation. We know the LORD Jesus, whom others do not know. We have the responsibility to share Him with them.

Heartily in Christ,

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