A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/28

  

                                                                                   Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

            GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                        PART XXVIII

"We, Jacob's ten sons, including Benjamin, looked at each other... We knew we needed to do something... Earlier this morning we met with the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution... We expected to just buy grain from him... We had hoped as well that he would release Simeon the moment he saw us... But he has not done so... Even though we have brought Benjamin with us... We are quite sure that the official noticed Benjamin... But he did not say anything about him... We wonder why that is... And now we have been taken to his house... We are all very worried about the situation we find ourselves in... We are completely in the hands of this "Egyptian" official... He can do with us what he wants... He can even sell us as slaves... That would be unthinkable... Especially because Judah was finally able to persuade our father to let Benjamin go with us... And Judah has promised our father to protect Benjamin with his life... But what if he and Benjamin both are sold off as slaves?... His promise to our father will then be of no use... There is only one thing we can do... We must talk with the steward of the "Egyptian" offcial... He seems to be a kind man... Perhaps he will believe us when we tell him we are innocent of any crime."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jacob's sons have a conversation with the steward of the ""Egyptian" official to try and explain the situation...

 

                   ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                  GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                             PART XXVIII

Jacob's ten sons, including Benjamin, who have travelled from Canaan to Egypt to buy grain from the official in charge of the grain distribution, decide it may be helpful for them to speak with the steward of the official who has invited them to the official's house as you can read in Genesis 43:19-22

So they went up to Joseph's steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. "Please, sir," they said, "we came down here the first time to buy food. But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver - the exact weight - in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us. We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don't know who put our silver in our sacks."

The brothers hope that they can prove to the steward of the "Egyptian" official that they are honourable people who have paid for the grain in the past and will do so this time as well. 

Read Part Twenty-Nine HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/27

 

                                                                         

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

            GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD      

                          PART XXVII                                                       

"We, ten of Jacob's sons, including Benjamin, are back in Egypt ... We have returned to buy more grain.... We have just met with the official in charge of the grain distribution... It seems he remembers us.... However, he has not said anything about our youngest brother Benjamin... Neither has he said anything about releasing Simeon... Perhaps he has forgotten that he had put Simeon in prison... After all, that was a year ago... And he is a very busy man... No doubt, he has more important issues on his mind than a Hebrew prisoner named Simeon...Moreover, we have not yet been given any grain... Instead, the steward has taken us to the house of the official.... We don't understand why that is... We must be in trouble... Very likely, the official wants to keep us as slaves after all... That may well be because we never paid him the first time since we found the silver back in our sacks...He may believe that we are nothing more than common thieves...Is there anyone we can explain to what really happened?"... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jacob's sons are concerned what may happen to them after they are taken to the house of the "Egyptian" official...

                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                     GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                              PART XXVII

The ten sons of Jacob, including Benjamin, who have travelled from Canaan to Egypt to buy grain for their families, have arrived and have been brought before the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution. To their surprise they are then taken to the house of the official as you can read                      in Genesis 43:18

Now the men were frightened when they were taken into his house. They thought, "We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves and take our donkeys." The brothers looked at each other.

The brothers do not quite know what to make of that invitation to eat at the house of the "Egyptian" official.

Read Part Twenty-Eight HERE

                              

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/26

 

                                                                                   Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

               GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                            PART XXVI

"I, Joseph, the official in charge of the grain distribution here in Egypt, got up at my usual time this morning... I then had my breakfast as usual... And as usual I went to the room to receive those who are in need of grain... I was in the midst of calculating the cost of a particular transaction when I noticed a group of men entering the room... I counted the number of them... There were ten of them...My heart began to beat faster.... For I recognised nine of them....They were my brothers.... But I did not recognise one of them... He seemed to be the youngest of them....I wondered if he could possibly be my brother Benjamin....It had to be him!!... Who else could it be?... I knew I had to find out who he was....And I knew just what to do!!... So I ordered my steward to take them to my home... They were going to have lunch with me!"...Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jacob's ten sons have arrived in Egypt and are about to have luch with the "Egytian" official...

                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                 GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                             PART XXVI

When Joseph, the "Egyptian" official in charge of the distribution of grain, gets up that morning, he has no idea that some special people are on their way to him, includiding one very special person as you can read in Genesis 43:16-17

When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of the house, "Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare dinner; they are to eat with me at noon." The man did as Joseph told him and took the men to Joseph's house.

While Joseph is in the middle of distributing grain to people that morning, he notices a group of ten men. He recognises nine of them; they are his brothers. However, he does not know one of them. Could that be his brother Benjamin? He needs to find out so he calls his steward and tells him to prepare lunch for all of them.

Read Part Twenty-Seven HERE

A PUROSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/25

 

                                                                                   Read part One Here

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

              GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                          PART XXV

"We, Jacob's nine sons, who had gathered in his tent..... Could not believe our ears... Had we heard it right?... Had our father really said that Benjamin could go with us to Egypt?... We knew that without him there is no point in travelling to Egypt... For the "Egyptian" offcial would not see us without him... We looked at each other to make sure we had all heard the same thing... Our father had given us permission to take Benjamin with us!....We all realised how difficult it must have been for him to allow us to take Benjamin with us....Especially, since Benjamin has been able to bring a measure of comfort to him after the loss of his favourite son, Joseph... We all understood as well why Judah spoke up...After all, he was the one who suggested all these years ago that we sell Joseph to the merchants.... Perhaps Judah feels he has been able to make some amends for his past misdeeds...We believe his words influenced our father to let Benjamin go with us....We have now gone to Egypt to present ourselves once again to the "Egyptian" official....Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that after Jacob has given his nine sons permission to take Benjamin with them to Egypt they travelled to Egypt....

                   ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE, OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                        GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                 PART XXV

For a moment Jacob nine sons, who had gathered in their father's tent, looked stunned when they heard their father say that he will let his youngest son, Benjamin, go with them to Egypt. But not for long for they knew that they needed to get ready for their journey to Egypt as you can read in Genesis 43:15

So the men took the gifts and double the amount of silver, and Bemjamin also. They hurried down to Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph.

And so the nine sons of Jacob travelled with they youngest brother Benjamin to Egypt where they once again came before the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution in that country.

Read Part Twenty-Six HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/24

  

                                                                                   Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

             GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                           PART XXIV

"I, Jacob, had my nine sons gathered before me in my tent.... I then said something I never thought I would say to them... For I told them that they could bring Benjamin with them when they go back to Egypt...I do not want him to go back to Egypt with them....But I know that I have no choice in the matter...My nine sons have foolishly told the official in Egypt about Benjamin the last time they were there to buy grain from him... He then insisted that they bring their youngest brother back with them whenever they return to Egypt... I know that this official is the most important man in Egypt, apart from the Pharaoh....No one can refuse any of his requests.... Moreover, he has kept Simeon in prison... I have to, therefore, send Benjamin with his nine brothers on this dangerous journey so that, hopefully, Simeon will be released... I can now only pray to God that He will watch over them... And bring all my sons safely back to me.... A for myself... I do not know how I will be able to get through this waiting time... No doubt, I will be on the look out for them day after day until I see them."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jacob finally gives his nine sons permission to take Benjamin with them to Egypt...

 

                 ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

                                                    GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                    PART XXIV

Jacob, knowing that the grain supply for his family in Canaan is at an all-time low, tells his sons to go back to Egypt at once to buy more grain. He suggests that they take gifts with them for the "Egyptian" official to try and soften his heart towards them. However, he knows he needs to do more than give his sons permission to bring gifts; he needs to give them permission to bring his youngest son Benjamin with them as you can read in Genesis 43:13-14

"Take your brother also and go back to the man at once. And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved."

Jacob has finally come to the conclusion that he has to let Benjamin go with his brothers to Egypt. And he can only hope that God will bring him and his brothers, including Simeon, back to Canaan.

Read Part Twenty-Five HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/23

 

                                                                                   Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

            GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                           PART XXIII 

"I, Jacob, have nine of my sons gathered before me in my tent... And I considered very carefully every word my son Judah has just spoken... I could see from the expression on his face that he meant every word he had said... I knew that he would indeed guarantee the safety of my youngest son Benjamin.... If I were to let him go to Egypt with them... I sensed that he spoke these words because somehow he feels partly responsible for the loss of my favourite son Joseph....However, I do not blame him for the loss of this son.... Neiter do I blame any of my other sons for his loss....He was taken by a wild animal... I blame myself for having sent him to look for his brothers that fatefull day now over 20 years ago... It seems that Judah, in particular, carries a burden related to the loss of this son... Perhaps that is why he has  now spoken up.... By having told me he will personally be responsible for the safety of my youngest son Benjamin....Anyway....I already know in my heart of hearts that I have to let Benjamin go with his brothers to Egypt....Otherwise our families will die of starvation... I cannot have that on my conscience.. So I have just told them to get ready to go to Egypt... And to make sure to bring extra gifts."

 

                      ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                         GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                        PART XXIII

Jacob knows that his son Judah is right for much time has been lost and the grain supply for his family here in Canaan is at an all-time low. His sons need, therefore, to go back to Egypt and they need to go back soon as you can read in Genesis 43:11-12

Then their father Israel said to them, "If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift - a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds. Take double the amount of silver with you for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake."

Jacob hopes as well that bringing some gifts to the "Egyptian" official will cause him to be kinder to them than he was the first time, especially because they need to return the silver that had somehow found its way back into their sacks. 

Read Part Twenty-Four HERE

                                                                       

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/22

 

                                                                                   Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

             GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                       PART XXII 

"We, the nine sons of Jacob, who had gathered in his tent, shared with him the details of our conversation with the "Egyptian" official when we had bought grain from him...We then waited for our father's response... We could see from his face that he still was not impressed with our replies to him... I, Judah... One of the nine sons.... Then decided to speak... I knew it was time to convince our father of the urgency of the situation... I knew too that I should be the one to speak up... After all, I had been the one brother who had suggested that we sell our brother Joseph to the merchants that many years ago... I have never forgotten what I did that day... Of course, our father does not know what really happened... And what role I played in that event... But it has always been on my conscience.... I would like to make amends if possible... Not that I can ever bring back our brother Joseph...He has gone forever... If he is still alive then he will be a slave of someone in Egypt... But I don't know if he can survive life as a slave since he never did any hard work as our father's favourite son...Unlike any of us who are used to taking care of the flocks.... But I can at least make sure that Benjamin will be safe when he comes with us to Egypt...So I told our father that I will personally guarantee his safety with my own life... I can only hope that our father will accept my offer of protection for his youngest son."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Judah, one of Jacob's sons, offers his life as an assurance that Benjamin will be returned to Jacob after their trip to Egypt...

 

                        ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                       GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                 PART XXII 

The nine sons of Jacob, who have gathered in their father's tent in Canaan, can see from their father's expression on his face that he is not impressed with their reply for he still considers them to have been unwise in revealing to the "Egyptian" official the fact that they have a younger brother back home with their father. However, they know they need to convince their father to let Bernjamin go with them so Judah speaks up as you can read in Genesis 43:8-10 

Then Judah said to his father, "Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our chilren may live and not die. I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life. As it is, if we had not delayed, we could have gone and returned twice."

Judah speaks up for he remembers his role in the loss of Jacob's son, Joseph, since he was the one who suggested that Joseph be sold to the merchants rather than allowing him to go back home to his father.

Read Part Twenty-Three HERE

 

 

 

                           

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/21

  

                                  Read part One HERE

                         A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                            GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                            PART XXI

"We, the nine sons of Jacob, have gathered in our father's tent... And we realised that we owed our father a more thorough explanation as to why we have to bring Benjamin with us when we go back to Egypt.... We, therefore, began to tell him in detail our conversation with the "Egytian" official from whom we had bought grain....We shared with our father that the official had asked very specific questions about our family situation... He has asked us if our father was still alive... He had asked us as well if we had another brother... Of course, we had told him that, yes, we still have another brother....He is staying at home with our father.... We did not feel we could refuse to answer him....After all, he is the official in charge of the food distribution... And we are "nobodies"... We never expected him to demand that we bring our youngest brother with us the next time we go to Egypt...His request.... Or rather his demand....Does not make sense to us... Nevertheless, we know that Benjamin needs to be with us if we are going to be able to buy more grain for our families....Our father needs to recognise the seriousness of the matter... And release Benjamin to us... Otherwise our families may end up starving to death... He would not want that to happen."...Please read the typed out attachent when Jacob's nine sons try to explain to him why they ended up sharing with the "Egyptian" official details of their family situation....

                    ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                         GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                          PART XXI

The nine sons of Jacob, who have gathered in his tent in Canaan, look at their father after he has rebuked them for telling the "Egyptian" official about their youngest brother. They realise it is time to give their father more specific details of that conversation between the official and them which took place some time ago now as you can read in Genesis 43:7

They replied, "The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family. "Is your father still living?" he asked us. "Do you have another brother?" We simply answered his questions. How were we to know he would say, "Bring your brother down here?"

The brothers had not been sure why the "Egyptian" official was so keen to learn all these details of their family and they had not felt they were in a position to refuse to answer these questions.

Read Part Twenty-Two HERE