January 16, 2025 - I Wonder

GENESIS 42:1-45:15

One Year Bible Audio & Daily Reading (oneyearbibleonline.com)

Genesis 42:11 We are all brothers—members of the same family. We are honest men, sir! We are not spies!”

When I heard the words "honest men" if I were Joseph I would be tempted to say, "NOT!". But as we know Joseph runs from temptation. I can't help but think that the games that he played with his brothers may have not all just have been so he could be sure his father and brother were okay. I wonder if it was a little bit of what they deserved. At least that is the experience I have with brothers.

Genesis 42:22 “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy?” Reuben asked. “But you wouldn’t listen. And now we have to answer for his blood!”

I wonder how Joseph felt and thought when he heard that Reuben said that he told them not to do what they did. I would at first be surprised and happy but I don't know how long it would last thinking about the fact that he didn't stop them. He doesn't know at this point that Reuben was planning on coming back to save him but the others sold him without Reuben knowing.

Genesis 42:24 Now he turned away from them and began to weep. When he regained his composure, he spoke to them again. Then he chose Simeon from among them and had him tied up right before their eyes.

I am sure that hearing them talk about what they did was difficult but I believe his tears were tears of forgiveness and morning after all he had experienced God's hand in his life through it all and knew that it was all part of the plan but he has to realize how much he lost. I wonder why he chose Simeon? Was it random because he wouldn't know that Reuben had fallen from grace and that Simeon was next in line. Maybe it was because of what Reuben had said about warning them so instead of keeping him as the oldest he kept the second oldest. To his brothers it would look random.

Genesis 43:23 “Relax. Don’t be afraid,” the household manager told them. “Your God, the God of your father, must have put this treasure into your sacks. I know I received your payment.” Then he released Simeon and brought him out to them.

I wonder what Simeon's time in captivity was like. I would expect Joseph to make it easy for him. I can't imagine Joseph keeping him tied up or in shackles. Especially when he provided for his other brother and gave them their silver back.

Genesis 44:18 Then Judah stepped forward and said, “Please, my lord, let your servant say just one word to you. Please, do not be angry with me, even though you are as powerful as Pharaoh himself.

Genesis 44:33 “So please, my lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.

When they return with Benjamin, Judah speaks up and is willing to sacrifice himself and take his brother's place. This is the first time I noticed that the father of the tribe of Isreal that Jesus came from is the one who was willing to do that. Pretty cool.

So many things I wonder about, including wondering about whether when I get to meet Joseph and others that I wonder about, will I still be wondering. Will it matter or will I somehow know? I wonder.