Genesis Chapters 44

God’s Judgment Seat

To receive the greatest possible blessing from this Bible study, please take a moment to read the above chapter.

For previous lessons on Genesis or previous Bible studies, please visit our archives:     http://www.twosmallfish.org/Archives/index.html

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Prayer:

            Heavenly Father, while sending me forward, You seem, at times, to call me back. I confess more often than not, I don’t understand You methods. But You have taught me to trust and obey in Jesus name. Amen.

Introduction:

            “Mrs. Hendricks, you groomed my dog yesterday.”

            Disgruntled or not—I can’t always tell at the onset of the phone call—the unexpected proclamation usually sends a surge of panic through my veins. I hate confrontation. While I answer in the most cordial tone that I can muster, “yes, ma’am,” I’m thinking, now what did I do wrong?

            Most of the time, the patron simply called to ask a reasonable question or even to pay a compliment, but I have my shield raised ready to defend myself just in case.

Nevertheless, there are those who try to accuse me of things that I’m not responsible for and their allegations must be addressed firmly, tactfully and most of all, immediately.  

The Lesson:

      After sharing his home and supper with his brothers, Joseph sent them on their way only to call them back. He commanded his servant to put the money they had paid for the corn back in their sacks and to put his personal silver cup into Benjamin’s sack. When the brothers were a short distance outside the city, Joseph again ordered his servant to bring them back for stealing the cup (verses 1-5)

      Immediately, Jacob’s sons defended themselves reminding the servant that they returned the money they had found in their bags on their first visit (see chapter 43: 19-22). Why would they steal? Then they bring condemnation upon themselves in their arrogance by stating, “With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen” (chapter 44:9).

      When the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack, he and his brothers tore their clothes in shame and turned back to the city (verses 10-13). Again standing face-to-face with Joseph, his brothers fell on the ground in acknowledgement of his authority.

      The time had past to plead innocence. They assumed that the cup was a judgment from God. They may not have been guilty of stealing, but there was no denying they had sinned against their brother.

      We may not be guilty of theft, adultery, or murder, but Jesus says if we harbor such things in our hearts, we have sinned.  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart (Matthew 5:28). And James wrote if we have broken one commandment, we are guilty of breaking them all. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilt of all (James 2:11).

      We will lose any notion we may have had to argue our innocence before Almighty God. Like Benjamin, we’ll look at our Brother to plead our case.

      The remainder of this chapter is Judah’s appeal in behalf of his younger brother. He reminds the Egyptian ruler that the hardship of losing another son could cause Jacob’s death. Judah defends Benjamin in the same manner that Jesus defends us before Almighty God . . . And if any man sin, we [believers] have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1-2). Then Judah offers his life of service for the boy’s. His willingness to become the substitute is a picture of Christ. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the spirit: (1 Peter 3:18).

      Notice that Benjamin never spoke a word in his own defense. He trusted Judah to be his spokesman knowing his destiny rested in his brother’s ability to reason with the seemingly irrational governor.

Conclusion and Challenge:

    When considering God’s judgments, unbelievers declare God irrational. They, however, have not taken into account His great love for humanity. Unlike Benjamin, they attempt to rationalize their behavior instead of trusting our Advocate to plead their case. But as we read in 1 John 2:2, Jesus is even more than our spokesman, He is our propitiation—our atonement for sin.

    But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (Romans 5:8-11).

Prayer Requests:

Today’s youth, Clayton and his family, Kim, Trish, Dodie, our nation’s economy, flood victims, Adrian, Hans, Amber, Grace, Ed and Pauline, Melinda & Barry and family, Ryan, Frank and Dorothy, Nick and Rachel, Tammy, our pastors and their families, those who recently lost their jobs and are seeking employment, children with cancer, children with birth defects and their families, our Bible Study, special unspoken needs, and remember me, Brenda Hendricks.

Praise Report:

             In these trying times, our son-in-law, Nick has found employment in his field. Praise God!! 

            Our ten-year old buddy, Clayton, had a cancerous-brain tumor removed in April and is now going through a series of intense chemo treatments. Every six months they test his IQ, a routine procedure for children suffering from this form of the disease. After testing, the counselor requested a consultation with the boy's mother. The counselor could barely believe the results stating that this type of thing never happens. Clayton's IQ jumped 15 points in six months. God is good always, all ways. Amen.

Hallelujah!!

            When fretting because my prayers seemed to go no further than the ceiling, I received this answer from my Father:

            "There's no need for your prayers to go any further than your tearstained pillow. I am here with you. I don't expect you to ascend to me any more than a father expects his infant to jump into his arms. I have loved you with an everlasting love and with loving kindness I have drawn you (Jeremiah 31:3 paraphrased by me).”

WOO HOO!! God is so good—always, all ways.

We are looking forward to your praise reports. Please keep us informed so we can share the wonderful grace of Jesus.

Our Next Bible Study

In preparation, read Genesis Chapter 45

To read previous lessons on Genesis or previous Bible studies,

please visit our archives:

 http://www.twosmallfish.org/Archives/index.html

Invitation:

 Although we have not chosen to be, we are all born into sin because of the fall of man. It sounds hopeless and unfair. But in His infinite wisdom and abundant love, God has provided a choice for us. We can choose to repent of our sinful nature and believe in Jesus Christ. He is faithful and will cleanse us from sin and give us His Holy Spirit to equip us to live for Him. If you’ve made your choice to repent and believe in Jesus, we’d like to hear about it.

If you are free in Christ Jesus, pray for those who remain captive. And tell others, Christians as well as non-believers, what Jesus has done for you. Your testimony will benefit them and help you to strengthen your confidence in Christ’s work in your life and in the future.

If you’d like to participate in our Bible Study, please contact us with your comments, questions, and prayer requests or at twosmallfish@verizon.net . Be sure to mention today’s Bible study in the subject line to get my attention.

A special reminder: to find out what other readers have to say check out the comment page.

May God grant you safety, reassurance of His love, and the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Brenda Hendricks.