A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/37

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

            GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                     PART XXXVII

"We, the eleven sons of Jacob, are having quite a challenging time in Egypt... It began when we came before the official who is in charge of the grain distribution... We noticed he would quickly help other people by simply giving them what they asked for....We had hoped that we too would be helped quickly... So we could be on our way back home as soon as we had been given the grain we had asked for.... Unfortunately, that did not happen... In our case, the steward took us to the home of the official... We did not particularly want to go there..... But we had no choice... Especially, because we did not want to upset the official.... Especially, since he still needed to relase Simeon to us... Thankfully, Simeon was then soon released to us.... We next learned we were to have lunch with the official... So we waited for him to appear... And then presented him with our gifts... He asked about our father... He then turned to our youngest brother Benjamin... And he even spoke a blessing over him... We expected for lunch to start then...But it did not... The official suddenly rushed out... We looked at each other... What was this all about?... Perhaps an Egyptian custom... Very strange indeed... We wondered how long we would have to wait for him to return... He eventually did... Lunch is finally about to be served... It seems the official is to eat by himself.... And we will be eating by ourselves..... Perhaps just as well... It will give us time to discuss among ourselves all the things that have happened today so far.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the "Eyptian" official returns to the room where the eleven brothers are seated for lunch...

                      ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                         GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                    PART XXXVII

At the command of the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution, the servants begin to serve the official, the sons of Jacob who have travelled all the way from Canaan to Egypt to buy grain for their families, and the Egyptians as you can read in Genesis 43:32

They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians.

The food is served in accordance with the strict rules that are in place so that the official eats separatedly from his guests, the sons of Jacob, as well as the other Egyptians.

Read Part Thirty-Eight HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/36

  

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

          GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                         PART XXXVI

I, the official in charge of the grain distribution here in Egypt, knew that I should go back to my eleven guests.... They must have wondered why I had left them so suddenly.... They may even have considered it rather rude of me to do so... Especially, since I had been the one who had invited them to have lunch with me...It was possible, of course, that they thought such behaviour was acceptabe for me... Since, according to them, I am an Egyptian... And they are Hebrews from Canaan... Nevertheless, I knew I should go back to them... So we can have lunch as planned... That's why I dried my tears... They must have been there waiting to be shed for a very long time already... And I washed my face... It was time for smiles again... My guests must not know that I have wept... I must be a perfect host for them.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution goes back to his eleven guests after he has dried his tears and washed his face...

                 ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                  GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                              PART XXXVI

Having had a few moments to calm himself, the "Egyptian" official in  charge of the grain distribution refreshes himself before joining his guests, the sons of Jacob, including Benjamin. who have travelled all the way from Canaan to Egyt to buy grain for their families as you can read in Genesis 43:31

After he had washed his face, he came out and controlling himself, said, "Serve the food."

It is time for the meal to be served so the official gives the order that the first course is to be brought in.

Read Part Thirty -seven HERE

                                                      

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/35

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

               GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                          PART XXXV

"I, the official in charge of the grain distribution here in Egypt... Looked at the men who had gathered at my home....I had just spoken a blessing over the youngest one... I wanted to say something more.... But I could not... So I quickly removed myself... The tears started to flow.... But it was not yet the time for my brothers to see them... I found a quiet room to weep... Tears of joy for seeing my youngest brother after all these years...Tears of grief over the loss of time... I understood why I had to weep... There is a special bond between us...Time has not been able to erase that.... However, he will have to go back to Canaan...I cannot bear the thought of being separated from him again... God will work things out... I must trust Him to bring Benjamin back to me when it is the right time."..... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the "Egyptian" official is so overwhelmed by the sight of his youngest brother that he has to remove himself....

                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                    GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                               PART XXXV 

The "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution is overcome by emotions at the sight of the youngest son of Jacob, Benjamin, who has come to Egypt all the way from Canaan, together with his older brothers as you can read in Genesis 43:30

Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.

The official knows it is not yet the time to reveal these emotions to the men who have gathered in his home so he finds a private room where he can spend a few moments by himself.

Read Part Thirty-Six HERE

 

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/34

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

           GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                     PART XXXIV

"I, Joseph, the official in charge of the grain distribution here in Egypt... Looked around the room where my eleven brothers have gathered.... To them I am nothing more than a stern official... But in my heart I am their brother who longs to reveal myself to them.... However, I know that I must wait for God's direction....I must do everything according to His plan... And according to His timing.... I sense that the time has come for me to ask them about my youngest brother... It would be so good to know that he is right here in this room.... I may not yet be able to tell him how much I have missed seeing him.... But I can speak a blessing over him."....Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jacob's youngest son Benjamin has indeed come to Egypt with his brothers....

  

                 ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

                                                      GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                   PART XXXIV

The "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution, who has joined the sons of Jacob, including their youngest brother Benjamin, looks around the room of his home in Egypt where they have gathered for a meal. Among them he notices a face he has not seen before and he wonders if this is perhaps his youngest brother Benjamin as you can read in Genesis 43:29

As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother's son, he asked, "Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?" And he said, "God be gracious to you, my son."

The sons of Jacob confirm that the one the official does not recognise is indeed their youngest brother Benjamin. The official then blesses him in a very specific way.

Read Part Thirty-Five HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/33

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

            GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                      PART XXXIII 

"We, Jacob's sons, including Benjamin, have just presented the official, who is in charge with the grain distribution here in Egypt, with our gifts.... We hope that he approves of what we have brought him.... Especially, since they were specifically selected by our father....He seems to be quite relaxed in our presence.... And we are very thankful that he has not brought up the issue of the silver that had been put back in our sacks the last time we were here to buy grain...We realise that it is a great honour to have been invited to lunch with him at his home.... We are a little puzzled as to why that is... Of course, we dare not ask him the reason for his invitation....After all, he is very capable of putting us all in prison if we upset him....That must not happen.... Especially not because we have Benjamin with us.... Benjamin's life must be preserved at all cost.... We must do whatever we can.... Even if that means once again bowing down to the official.... And answering questions about our aged father."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jacob's sons once again honour the "Egyptian" official by bowing down to him and answering his questions about their father...

                       ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                          GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                       PART XXXIII

The sons of Jacob, including Benjamin, who have travelled all the way from Canaan to Egypt to buy grain for their families, look at the "Egyptian" official in front of them. They are quite puzzled as to why he has invited them to join him for a meal at his home. They are even more puzzled at his interest in their old father Jacob. However, they know that they need to answer his question about their father's well being as you can read in Genesis 43:28

They replied, "Your servant our father is still alive and well." And they bowed low to pay him honour.

The sons of Jcob, including Benjamin, know as well that they must keep to the rules of the Court protocol here in Egypt so they once again bow down before the official.

Read Part Thirty-Four HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/32

 

                                                                                   Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

             GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                         PART XXXII

"I, Joseph, the official in charge of the grain distribution here in Egypt..... Tried to finish my morning tasks as soon as I was able.... I then  excused myself.... My steward knew where I was going... I went to my home to have lunch... He knew too that I would not be having lunch on my own... I am having eleven guests waiting for me.... I am sure he will have recognised most of them from a previous visit.... Like me, he will not have recognised one of them... He seems to be the youngest one.... But he does not know that they are my brothers.... Neither do my brothers know who I really am... They still think that I am a very important "Egyptian" official... I will eventually reveal to them who I am.... But the time has not yet come to do so... I still need to take them through some tests to prove they have changed... I hope to soon learn from them if the one who seems to be the youngest is my brother Benjamin.... I have been waiting to see him ever since they came before me the first time... That is now a year ago.... But I must first find out if my father is still alive.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the "Egyptian" official meets with his eleven guests at his home....

                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                            PART XXII

The "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution hurried to his home at noon. He has some very special guests waiting for him there; Jacob's sons, including their youngest brother Benjamin. They came before him earlier this morning to, once agan, buy grain from him to take back to their families in Canaan. However, it is not yet time to give them the grain. He needs to spend more time with them so he has invited them to his home for a meal. He has graciously received their gifts but there are things he wants to ask them as you can read in Genesis 43:27

He asked them how they were and then he said, "How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?"

The official has one thing on his mind: he wants to know if the father of the eleven men who have come to buy grain from him is still alive.

Read Part Thirty-Three HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/31

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

           GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                       PART XXXI

"We, Jacob's sons are so relieved that Simeon has been released from prison here in Egypt... We wished we could go home to Canaan for our father would be so happy to see him... But we have not as yet bought grain for our families.... Moreover, we have learned that we will be having lunch with the official in whose house we are now.... We would rather just get on with our business and leave as soon as possible... But, of course, we cannot refuse to eat with the official... Our father would be very upset with us if we did not give the official what he specifically had told us to bring for him.... So we will give him the gifts we have for him as soon as he comes in.... Of course, we will bow down to him first.... Our father would be most upset with us if we did not give the official the respect he deserves due to his high position."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Joseph' sons bow down to the official and then present him with the gifts their father had insisted they bring for the "Egyptian" official...

 

                ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                      GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                    PART XXXI

After the sons of Jacob, including Benjamin, who have travelled all the way from Canaan to Egypt to buy grain, have refreshed themselves at the home of the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution, they know that they must now prepare the gifts their father Jacob had told them to bring so they can present these gifts to their host as you can read in Genesis 43:25-26

They prepared their gifts for Joseph's arrival at noon, because they had heard that that were to eat there. When Joseph came home, they presented to him the gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground.

As soon as the official arrived at his home, the brothers, including Benjamin, present him with their gifts. Realising they are in the presence of someone of great importance they once again bow down before him.

Read Part Thirty-Two HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/30

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

            GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                          PART XXX

"I, the steward of the "Egyptian" official watched when the ten Hebrew men in front of me were re-united with their brother, Simeon.... They had come back to buy grain from my master, the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution... Their brother Simeon had been in prision since they had left for their home in Canaan after their first trip to Egypt....It is was clear that they were overjoyed to see their brother again after this long separation...He looked well... My master would have made sure that he received proper care while in prison... It was then time to take them inside the house of my master...The men had obviously been travelling for quite some time before they arrived....They were, therefore, in need of some water to refresh themselves... And I made sure their donkeys were taken care of as well."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the steward of the "Egyptian" official takes care of the men and their animals after their arrival...

                    ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                      GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                 PART XXX

The steward of the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution, has been told by him to take the sons of Jcob, including Benjamin, to the official's house. He realises as well that the men who had been on a long and tiring journey, are in need of some water to refresh themselves before they can sit down for their meal as you can read in Genesis 43:24

The steward took the men into Joseph's house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys.

The steward makes sure that the donkey's, on which the sons of Jacob have travelled from Canaan to Egypt, are taken care of as well.

Read Part Thirty-One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/29

 

                                                                                  Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

            GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                         PART XXIX 

"I, the steward of the "Egyptian" official, looked at the ten men in front of me... They are Hebrew men... I remember seeing them a year ago... One of them was put in prison by the official at that time... I am not sure why that happened... But I know that my master will have had a good reason for doing so... He is a wise master... Rumours has it that he is a Hebrew who was sold by his brothers to merchants... And that he ended up as a slave here in Egypt.... He is supposed to have been in charge of the household of a man named Potiphar... Potiphar's wife is supposed to have asked him to do something he was unwilling to do... And he ended up in prison because of it... Further rumours have it that he eventually was released from prison because he was able to interpret Pharaoh's dreams for him... But I don't listen to rumours.... As far as I am concerned, my master is an "Egyptian" official whatever his background... Moreover, I know that my master is very wise and has been able to help many people survive in this time of famine... I am sure that he has good intentions as far as these ten men in front of me are concerned....They do, therefore, not need to be worried.... I must let them know that I received the silver they paid me the first time they came... And I will release their brother Simeon to them... That will help them understand they have nothing to fear."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the steward of the "Egyptian" official is able to calm the fears of the sons of Jacob... 

  

                    ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                     GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                    PART XXIX

The steward, who has been told by the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution, to take the ten sons of Jacob, including Benjamin, to the house of the official, tells them not to be concerned about the silver that has been returned to them the first time thet came to Egypt to buy grain as you can read in Genesis 43:23

"It's all right," he said. "Don't be afraid. Your God, the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver." He then brought Simeon out to them.

Having told the brothers not to be worried, the steward then goes to the prison and releases Simeon, who has been imprisoned ever since his brothers went back to Canaan after they had bought grain in Egypt a year or so ago. And he joins his brothers at the house of the official.

Read Part Thirty HERE