Benjamin Detained in Egypt

FAITH IN ACTION:
LIVING AS FAITHFUL PEOPLE
God's Protection
God Preserves a Remnant

Genesis 44:1-10

The Message

 ^1-2 Joseph ordered his house steward: "Fill the men's bags with food—all they can carry—and replace each one's money at the top of the bag. Then put my chalice, my silver chalice, in the top of the bag of the youngest, along with the money for his food." He did as Joseph ordered. ^3-5 At break of day the men were sent off with their donkeys. They were barely out of the city when Joseph said to his house steward, "Run after them. When you catch up with them, say, 'Why did you pay me back evil for good? This is the chalice my master drinks from; he also uses it for divination. This is outrageous!'"
 ⁶ He caught up with them and repeated all this word for word.
 ^7-9 They said, "What is my master talking about? We would never do anything like that! Why, the money we found in our bags earlier, we brought back all the way from Canaan—do you think we'd turn right around and steal it back from your master? If that chalice is found on any of us, he'll die; and the rest of us will be your master's slaves."
 ¹⁰ The steward said, "Very well then, but we won't go that far. Whoever is found with the chalice will be my slave; the rest of you can go free."

For Reflection
God's work is not yet completed.  Joseph sets the stage for yet another catastrophe.  This time the brothers admit their sin and accept their guilt.  The brothers show compassion toward their father, Israel. Jacob offers to sacrifice himself for the sake of his father.  Thus,  only now can the reconciliation of sin be realized.

Reconciliation begins with the recognition of one's own sin. It continues with the acceptance of one's responsibility for the sin and the sacrifice of one's self in restitution for sin.

Pray
that you will recognize God's hand in leading you to reconcile your sin.  Pray that you accept the responsibility for sin and give yourself to God in restitution for your sinfulness.