A humbled and open heart is fertile soil for God’s seeds of wisdom to be planted. Deeper Roots is focused on analyzing God’s word to discover truths, values, and lessons for application to our lives. Periodically, a scripture or passage calls for further exploration, like Genesis 43:16-34.
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.” 17 The man did as Joseph told him and brought the men to Joseph’s house. 18 And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph’s house, and they said, “It is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys.” 19 So they went up to the steward of Joseph’s house and spoke with him at the door of the house, 20 and said, “Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food. 21 And when we came to the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it again with us, 22 and we have brought other money down with us to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.” 23 He replied, “Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. 24 And when the man had brought the men into Joseph’s house and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder, 25 they prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.
Genesis 43:16-34 ESV
26 When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground. 27 And he inquired about their welfare and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” 28 They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves. 29 And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!” 30 Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there. 31 Then he washed his face and came out. And controlling himself he said, “Serve the food.” 32 They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. 33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth. And the men looked at one another in amazement. 34 Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him.
Our Deeper Roots passage in Genesis shows us that God gives us dreams and visions and insight to navigate seasons ahead. Our scripture selection begins as the brothers return to Egypt with their brother, Benjamin. When they arrive, Joseph instructs the steward of his house to make preparations for everyone to eat lunch together. So the steward takes all of the brothers to Joseph’s home. As they wait, they wonder if this is because of the money that was returned on the first trip. They tried to explain the situation, but the servant reassured them that it was God that provided for them. Simeon is finally reunited with his brothers as they all prepared for the meal. When Joseph arrived home, they presented him with the presents that they had brought and bowed low. In this exchange, Joseph sees his younger brother, Benjamin, and is filled with emotion. This causes him to leave to find somewhere to weep. Once he composes himself, Joseph orders for the meal to begin. The brothers were amazed that they were seated in order of birthright, and they happily partook in the meal.
Joseph had dreams and revelations given by God to help him navigate challenging situations. Looking back, everyone recognized that Joseph’s dreams were prophetic in nature. Yet the outright favoritism displayed by their father caused Joseph’s brothers to plot against him. Now, we’ve come full circle. The brothers have come to Eygpt for grain and bowed low; reminiscent of the first dream where Joseph’s brothers’ sheaves of grain bowed to his. Yet one dream, with the 11 stars, sun, and moon, remained to be seen. Here lies the tension; waiting for the dream to come to pass. And yet, God had granted Joseph insight into the future to comfort and guide him. Joseph recognized the hand of God in all of this. He remained yielded to God’s “not now” because, at any point, he could have revealed himself to his brothers, but he didn’t.
The tension that Joseph holds at this moment is a lesson for us. God’s timing is divine. There are seasons when God will give us dreams, visions, or other prophetic insights into what is ahead. This is to comfort, correct, or convict us for what is on the horizon. God is preparing us because there are times when we have to maintain our composure, especially in the waiting seasons. We know that God works all things for the good and we have to lean into that truth even as we wait to see spiritual things birthed into the physical. We have to stay yielded to God’s timing and not our own.
Amen! Joseph trusted God’s plan for his future. We can trust God’s plan for us too.