#DailyDevotion Repentance In Action
Lent day 23 Monday
Read Gen 42:1–38
Gen 42:17-24 And he put them all together in custody for three days. (18) On the third day Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: (19) if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined where you are in custody, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households, (20) and bring your youngest brother me. So your words will be verified, and you shall not die.” And they did so. (21) Then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” (22) And Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.” (23) They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them. (24) Then he turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.
It sure seems like Joseph is giving his brothers who represent Israel a hard time. But one can truly say they deserve it. Indeed they themselves confess such at this time. What they had done to Joseph they fear has come back upon them. At least now they confess their guilt. The fact that they do it despite the fact that Joseph is right there listening to them and they don’t know shows the sincerity of their confession.
Joseph’s heart had also changed during this time. While the Scriptures never say it, it is likely that he held some sort of grudge against them and certainly at the very least a few hard feelings. But their confession of their sins breaks his heart and turns to weeping. His testing of their character is showing them to be different people than they were when they sold into slavery. But Joseph still wants to test their character. He’s making leave one behind and to bring the youngest, his full brother to him. There are two reasons for this. One is to see whether or not they will actually come back for the brother or leave him to rot in Egypt. The other is to see whether or not they are telling the truth about his younger brother. On top of both of those it is his intention to get the whole family in Egypt where he can save them from the famine.
Now the brothers represent Israel. Israel is a type, a representative of Christ Jesus. Note what happens at the beginning of the chapter. Israel is cast into the custody of the Egyptian for three days and on the third day he is raised from the prison. In like manner the fulfillment of Israel, Jesus Christ is buried in death and on the third day rose from the dead. In like manner Jesus departs and returns to the Father. And in like manner as Israel returns for the brother still in custody of Egypt, Jesus shall return for all his brother still in custody of their graves and restore them to life. Jesus is the fulfillment of this passage that you may know what happened here in the life of Israel it will be fulfilled in your life. So even as Jesus is raised from the dead, all who trust in him will be raised to everlasting life.
Lord Jesus Christ, grant us such faith in your resurrection that we too shall be freed from the prison of death when you return to us with the Father and enter into eternal life in new heavens and new earth. Amen.