Title [Genesis 43:11-15] Jacob's decision
When Joseph's brothers returned from Egypt to buy grain, they told the truth to their father Jacob. In order to prove that he had suffered a lot because he was a spy and that he was not a spy, he told me about his family and told him that the next time he went, he would have to take Benjamin with him to buy grain and to return Simeon. Jacob was very distressed. He flatly refused that he could never let Benjamin go. But the food ran out and the famine got worse, and they couldn't stand it any longer. In the end, he made a decision and allowed Benjamin to go to Egypt with his brothers. Joseph's brothers prepared gifts and twice as much money to buy grain as they went down to Egypt, and they were treated generously at Joseph's official residence. We would like to find some important lessons from this content.
1. You can confirm the good humanity of the hyungs.
2. Knowing that the situation could no longer be endured, Jacob decided to send Benjamin away (11-14).
It can be seen that his trust in God was his strength in his decision. A person who trusts in God sometimes breaks his stubbornness and makes a decision.
① They were asked to prepare a gift (11). Believers in Jesus, especially those who are deeply religious and knowledgeable, are in some ways completely inhuman and inflexible. But that's not the right posture. Rather, believers should be more humane and flexible, able to embrace those around them. At least, as long as it is not a matter of truth, we must live a wide life. Gifts make people happy. It is different from a bribe. We prepared the special products of the land of Canaan with sincerity, but by having them prepare “little by little” (11), it reveals the nature of the gift. We need to be able to show a little kindness between our neighbors. It is unfortunate that one cannot give and receive a gift once in a lifetime. But first, you need to know that the giver will receive. There are many beautiful scenes of giving and receiving gifts in the Holy Spirit. Let us also lead a life of faith full of humanity.
② Shows thoroughness in materials. They told me to bring double the money. Believers must be strict about material things. If your calculations are blurry, you won't be trusted. And it doesn't do you any good. Money transactions should be made clear to anyone.
③ He said that he wanted the grace of Almighty God (14). For Jacob, this was the driving force behind his actions. We must trust in Almighty God. And you have to let it go. In particular, Jacob said that he wanted that man (Joseph) to be brought back safely by God. God rules the human heart. Even the hearts of all our enemies can be directed in a direction that is beneficial to us only when God works. With this confidence, we must pray for help.
④ If I lose my child, I will lose it. It means to leave it to the will of God, not according to one's own desires. It means giving up everything. The truth is what you get when you give up. God gives more blessings to those who give up everything and leave everything to Him. However, there are some believers who cannot give up and lose more. That's stupid. Just as Jacob entrusted God with the loss of her children when she lost them, Esther has a job to save the nation by making the same decision. He went to the king and told Haman, saying, “If we die, we will die,” and he left a great work of saving himself and the nation (Esther 4:16). Those who risk sacrifices and leave them to God’s will will surely achieve good results. There is. Just as Jacob's decision saved his family and brought reconciliation to his brothers and a reconciliation with Joseph, a right decision in faith will bring great benefits to all of us. May our lives become more blessed and prosperous in the Lord.