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The Life of Joseph – Day 22

Genesis 44:1-2

Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack. Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said.

The Thought

The first verse here makes us think that Joseph is extremely generous, and shows that he had forgiven his brothers for all they had done to him when he was younger, but then the second verse makes us wonder.

Why would Joseph plant his own silver drinking vessel in his younger brother’s sack?

What do you suppose the steward was thinking as he obeyed? He had seen these men come and go once before and his master had behaved quite strangely at that time too (days 15-16). Maybe there was a family likeness that the steward could see, so that he suspected that these were Joseph’s family, knowing that he had not behaved in this way for any other people who had come to him to buy grain.

Action

If you had been in the steward’s position what would you have done? Asked the boss what he was doing? Told the other servants that Joseph seemed to be acting strangely?

How would you react in the steward’s position? Do you take notice of some of the strange things you see going on around you? Do you ignore them, or do you pray?

Think today of Joseph’s generosity to his brothers, and ask yourself how generous you are, especially to those who have hurt you in the past.

Remember that God told us to give in order to receive (Luke 6:38). Read that chapter today and allow God’s word to challenge you.

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