Unconfessed Sin

"Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure."  Genesis 41:49

     God had told Pharaoh in two dreams that there would be seven years of plenty and then seven years of famine.  Pharaoh made Joseph second in command in the land of Egypt and put him in charge of storing up grain in the years of abundance.  A huge amount of grain was put away that first seven year period.

     The famine which followed was widespread and included the land of Canaan. When Jacob heard that there was grain for sale in Egypt, he sent his ten oldest sons to buy food.  In order to purchase grain, the brothers had to appear before Joseph.  Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. That's not too surprising.  He had gone into Egypt as a seventeen year old lad, and now he was approximately thirty-seven years old.  He was dressed as an Egyptian and spoke the language of Egypt.  And the last thing the brothers expected to see was Joseph, especially in the position of a ruler.

     Joseph tested his brothers to see if they had changed since they sold him.  He spoke harshly to them and accused them of being spies.  He put them in prison for three days.  He kept Simeon in jail but allowed the others to return home.  Keeping Simeon would almost guarantee the brothers' return to Egypt. He told the brothers not to come back without bringing their youngest brother. How the other brothers would treat Benjamin was a crucial test as to whether their hearts had changed.  The brothers obviously felt guilty over what they had done to Joseph because they said to each other,  "Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come upon us." Genesis 42:21b.  One wrong act can cause guilt which lasts many years, or cause even a lifetime of regret, stealing our joy and peace.  How precious is God's forgiveness when we confess and repent, and He forgives our sin and wipes the slate clean.  Actually, Joseph's treatment of his brothers eventually helped his brothers confess and repent.

    The final test was to secretly return the brothers' money in their sacks of grain before they headed home.  Then Joseph began to wait for their return to Egypt.

Father, You test us many times to show what is in our hearts.  May we pass each test.  And when we sin, as we all do, may we confess, repent, receive Your forgiveness, and have our joy restored.  Amen.