#112 Manifest Genesis 42

When Jacob learned that there was grain for sale in Egypt, he said to his sons, "why do you look at one another?" And he said, "behold, I have heard that there is grain for sale in Egypt. Go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die." So ten of  Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with his brothers, for he feared that harm might happen to him. Thus the sons of Israel came to buy among the others who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan. Now Joseph was governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground. Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them. "Where do you come from?" he said. They said, "from the land of Canaan, to buy food." And Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. And Joseph remembered the dreams that he had dreamed of them. And he said to them, "you are spies; you have come to see the nakedness of the land." They said to him, "no, my lord, your servants have come to buy food. We are all sons of one man. We are honest men. Your servants have never been spies." He said to them, "no, it is the nakedness of the land that you have come to see." And they said, "we, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan, and behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is no more." But Joseph said to them, "it is as I said to you. You are spies. By this you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies." And he put them all together in custody for three days. Genesis 42: 1-17 ESV

There are those who would say, "God will provide," and suggest that by faith they shall wait upon this provision. They will wait and starve, while others, will by drive of hunger, leave the land or comforts of what they know to seek food. The famine brings about the hunger and while everyone sits waiting and looking at one another, they are no closer to the answer that is, this time, outside themselves. Whether manna from heaven or a paycheck, do not deceive yourself, it is the same God who provides, but there is no call to a passive laziness. 

…5Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things. 6Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. Ecclesiastes 11: 5&6

Joseph's brothers leave Canaan in search of the food their neighbors have told them about. Jacob keeps Benjamin home for fear of what may befall him. He has not forgotten the loss of Joseph, and he will not be bereaved again. 

Joseph recognizes his brothers, but they do not know him. He remembers the dream from his youth, and now at that time of fulfillment, he accuses them of being spies. It may appear as vengeance but carries with it the divine. He sees them for who they are; they do not recognize him, and cannot yet see themselves for what they are. They have never told their father the truth, and it is a wonder that Joseph has never returned to Canaan to pay his father a visit. They claim to be honest men, but Joseph knows better, and they divulge the matter of their father and brother, who are not with them. Joseph is probably relieved to hear that Benjamin is alive, and that the same fate has not befallen him. Nevertheless, he will test them and they will remember. They came for grain, but will find the opportunity to see themselves and repent.

…4For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.5Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God. 1 Corinthians 4: 4&5