Saturday, February 11, 2017

Year 7, Day 42: Genesis 43

Theological Commentary: Click Here


The plot thickens.  Joseph’s brothers return home and the food runs out.  There is an argument between the sons and Jacob about returning.  Eventually it is decided that the sons have to return with Benjamin in order to get more food.  Jacob has to choose between dying of starvation and potentially losing his only remaining son from his favorite wife, Rachel.

Isn’t it funny what fear can do for us?  Don’t forget that Simeon was held back in Egypt in prison!  Jacob is afraid of losing another son, so he plays it safe and lets him rot in prison rather than potentially losing another.  When we are in places of greatest gain, we are also usually in places of greatest risk.  Fear steps in and often tempts us to play it safe.  Jacob is content potentially starving and letting Simeon stay in jail rather than letting the sons return to Egypt with more food.

Keep in mind that the fear isn’t usually rational.  The fear is often a perceived fear.  But just because it is perceived doesn’t mean it is real.  Has Egypt given Jacob any reason to fear?  Did the brothers not return with plenty of food having spent none of their money?  The only bad thing that happened was that Simeon was retained until they should return.  Jacob assumes that Simeon is retained because Egypt wants to harm Benjamin.  That is a perceived fear, but it is not a rational one.  So often fear keeps us from enjoying God’s blessing.

Notice what it is that gets Jacob through his fear.  Necessity is what motivates Jacob.  Literally, the food runs out and the threat of starving becomes quite real.  Jacob moves past his fear when he hits rock bottom.  This is why so many of us experience the need to hit rock bottom before we can go forward.  So long as we can, we bunker down and hide in our safe places.  Need brings us out.  Need causes us to leave our safe place.  Need opens us up to being in a position of receiving and appreciating God’s blessing.

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