Paying the Penalty

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

Genesis 42:18-25

The Message (MSG)

 ^18-20 On the third day, Joseph spoke to them. "Do this and you'll live. I'm a God-fearing man. If you're as honest as you say you are, one of your brothers will stay here in jail while the rest of you take the food back to your hungry families. But you have to bring your youngest brother back to me, confirming the truth of your speech—and not one of you will die." They agreed.
 ²¹ Then they started talking among themselves. "Now we're paying for what we did to our brother—we saw how terrified he was when he was begging us for mercy. We wouldn't listen to him and now we're the ones in trouble."
 ²² Reuben broke in. "Didn't I tell you, 'Don't hurt the boy'? But no, you wouldn't listen. And now we're paying for his murder."
 ^23-24 Joseph had been using an interpreter, so they didn't know that Joseph was understanding every word. Joseph turned away from them and cried. When he was able to speak again, he took Simeon and had him tied up, making a prisoner of him while they all watched.
 ²⁵ Then Joseph ordered that their sacks be filled with grain, that their money be put back in each sack, and that they be given rations for the road. That was all done for them.

For Reflection

Joseph's brothers now face their transgressions.  They have to recognize their sin and its consequence. They are not blaming God for their transgression.  Rather, they are understanding that their current suffering is a result of their own Godless action.

Recognizing our sins against God is the first step in reconciliation.  To what extent do you face up to your own folly?  To what extent do you accept responsibility for your own action?

Pray
that you will accept the responsibility for your own action.  Pray that you will recognize your own sins.  Thank God for His faith in you.  Pray that you will accept His grace in your life and embrace your role in fulfilling the promise of His Kingdom.