Genesis 43 - The Humility of Desperation

This passage could also be entitled God's Unexpected Answers. So much unfolds in this story and many lessons could be drawn from this chapter. Joseph had instilled fear in his brothers - so much so that they dared not return without Benjamin and without repaying all the silver that was stashed in their sacks from the first visit.

Jacob in his fear of losing the only remaining son his beloved Rachel, refused to let Benjamin go. He would suffer rather than submit his son. Note: there is no record that he prayed to God for direction. I suppose there was no need to pray if your mind is made up. God will not be thwarted, however. God allows Jacob to suffer need to bring him to the place of humility so that he will do that thing he feared most but was part of God's plan all along.

As for Joseph's brothers. They too had to face their fears. When Joseph invited them to his place for lunch, they were certain that this was not an honor, but a means to enslave them for taking the Egyptian silver.

They didn't put the prices together when the brothers were lined up according to age and Benjamin was given five portions, but they began to question and accepted the bounty placed before them. Things were certainly turning out differently than they imagined.

In my own life and probably in yours as well, God has brought me to places of dryness and even suffering before I would yield my way and do that thing I was most afraid of doing at God's direction. Maybe it is witnessing to a stranger or giving some money I believed I needed or forgiving someone who was unrepentant.

Only at my place of total surrender did God show himself to be more than sufficient. He moves in ways I couldn't have imagined. And so it is with Jacob and his sons. When they gave up conniving and scheming, God blessed them.

What are you hanging on to? Is there something God has asked of you, but you are afraid to yield? Take courage from this recounting if history here. God may take you in places of blessing you never envisioned.

May God richly bless you as you seek Him and as you serve Him.