Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 44:1-13.

“Then he commanded his house steward, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack.  Put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his money for the grain.”  And he did as Joseph had told him.  As soon as it was light, the men were sent away, they with their donkeys.  They had just gone out of the city, and were not far off, when Joseph said to his house steward, “Up, follow the men;  and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good?  Is not this the one from which my lord drinks and which he indeed uses for divination?  You have done wrong in doing this.’”

So he overtook them and spoke these words to them.  They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these?  Far be it from your servants to do such a thing.  Behold, the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks we have brought back to you from the land of Canaan.  How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house?  With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.”  So he said, “Now let it also be according to your words;  he with whom it is found shall be my slave, and the rest of you shall be innocent.”  Then they hurried, each man lowered his sack to the ground, and each man opened his sack.  He searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.  Then they tore their clothes, and when each man loaded his donkey, they returned to the city.”  Genesis 44:1-13.

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Did not Joseph’s brothers remember what similar thing previously happened to them?

Money was put in their sack.  This time, they were accused of stealing the silver cup which was also put in their sack.  They themselves said:  “We have also brought down other money in our hand to buy food;  we do not know who put our money in our sacks.”  Genesis 43:22.  But, they were comforted.  “He said, “Be at ease, do not be afraid.  Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks;  I had your money.”  …”  Genesis 43:23.  

First lesson that we can learn is that when we encounter an unexpected accusation or any other frightening circumstance, we should not panic.  We should not be afraid.  Trust God.

“8 “But you, Israel, My servant,
Jacob whom I have chosen,
Descendant of Abraham My friend,
9 You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,
And called from its remotest parts
And said to you, ‘You are My servant,
I have chosen you and not rejected you.
10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
11 “Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored;
Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish.
12 “You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them,
Those who war with you will be as nothing and non-existent.
13 “For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand,
Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’
14 “Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel;
I will help you,” declares the LORD, “and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 41:8-14.

Second lesson that we can learn is that we should not be bold and arrogant in pronouncing judgment, especially against our brothers and especially before the facts are determined.  

Joseph’s brothers said:  “With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.”  But, we notice that although Joseph said:  “Now let it also be according to your words”, Joseph pronounced a much less severe judgment:  “he with whom it is found shall be my slave, and the rest of you shall be innocent.”  Verses 9-10.

Moreover, we remember the judgment that Joseph’s brothers pronounced against Joseph.  “When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death.  They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer!  Now then, come and let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits;  and we will say, ‘A wild beast devoured him.’  Then let us see what will become of his dreams!”  But Reuben heard this and rescued him out of their hands and said, “Let us not take his life.”  Reuben further said to them, “Shed no blood.  Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but do not lay hands on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hands, to restore him to his father.  So it came about, when Joseph reached his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the varicolored tunic that was on him;  and they took him and threw him into the pit.  Now the pit was empty, without any water in it.”  Genesis 37:18-24.

“But you, why do you judge your brother?  Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt?  For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.  For it is written,

“AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME,
AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.”

So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.”  Romans 14:10-13.

“So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”  Romans 14:19.  

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 43:26-34.

“When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present which was in their hand and bowed to the ground before him.  Then he asked them about their welfare, and said, “Is your old father well, of whom you spoke?  Is he still alive?”  They said, “Your servant our father is well;  he is still alive.”  They bowed down in homage.  As he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, he said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?”  And he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.”  Joseph hurried out for he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he sought a place to weep;  and he entered his chamber and wept there.  Then he washed his face and came out; and he controlled himself and said, “Serve the meal.”  So they served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is loathsome to the Egyptians.  Now they were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at one another in astonishment.  He took portions to them from his own table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs.  So they feasted and drank freely with him.”   Genesis 43:26-34.

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Joseph was gracious to Benjamin.  Joseph blessed Benjamin:  “May God be gracious to you, my son.”  Joseph also gave five times as much food to Benjamin as any of the other brothers.  Verse 34.   

Joseph and Benjamin were the only sons of Rachel.  Genesis 35:24.  The rest of their brothers were half-brothers, having different mothers but the same father, Israel.  It may be that Joseph wanted to give a subtle clue to all of his his brothers that he was Joseph, Benjamin’s brother, by giving Benjamin five portions and presumably an equal amount for himself totaling ten portions so that he (Joseph) and Benjamin would have a total of ten portions, the same amount of the total of ten portions of one portion for each of the ten other brothers.

Or, maybe, there was not that specific reasoning for the five portions that he gave Benjamin.

In any event, today’s Scripture gives us opportunity to think of God’s grace, reminding us of the Parable of the Laborers of the Vineyard.  The brothers should not grumble at five portions given to Benjamin, even though he was the last (youngest) brother.  Joseph was kind enough to his ten other brothers;  Joseph did not do any injustice to them.  “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own?  Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’  So the last shall be first, and the first last.”  Matthew 20:15-16.    

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 43:16-25.

“When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his house steward, “Bring the men into the house, and slay an animal and make ready;  for the men are to dine with me at noon.”  So the man did as Joseph said, and brought the men to Joseph’s house.  Now the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house;  and they said, “It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time that we are being brought in, that he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us, and take us for slaves with our donkeys.”  So they came near to Joseph’s house steward, and spoke to him at the entrance of the house, and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food, and it came about when we came to the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full.  So we have brought it back in our hand.  We have also brought down other money in our hand to buy food;  we do not know who put our money in our sacks.”  He said, “Be at ease, do not be afraid.  Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks;  I had your money.”  Then he brought Simeon out to them.  Then the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water, and they washed their feet;  and he gave their donkeys fodder.  So they prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon;  for they had heard that they were to eat a meal there.”  Genesis 43:16-25.

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Although Joseph had given orders to restore every man’s money in his sack without their knowledge (Genesis 42:25), God caused Joseph to do so, and thus, it is true that God had given them this treasure.  

God is Almighty God over all.  Nothing happens outside of God’s control.  God’s sovereignty rules over all.

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:18.

But, God is only Heavenly Father to His chosen ones.  

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”  John 1:12-13.

“He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:5-6.

To His children a/k/a His chosen ones a/k/a His elect, God, as their Heavenly Father, shows favor and gives good things, including most importantly, the inheritance of the kingdom (heaven).

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”  Matthew 7:11.

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:32.

Consider the following from the Heidelberg Catechism.

Q. 26.  What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?

A.  That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them;  who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence) is, for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father;  on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt but He will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body;  and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me, in this valley of tears, turn out to my advantage;  for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.

“O clap your hands, all peoples;
Shout to God with the voice of joy.
2 For the LORD Most High is to be feared,
A great King over all the earth.
3 He subdues peoples under us
And nations under our feet.
4 He chooses our inheritance for us,
The glory of Jacob whom He loves. Selah.” Psalm 47:1-4.

“also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,”  Ephesians 1:11. 

“…  To those … who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood:  May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:1-5.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”  Luke 12:32.

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 43:1-15.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+43&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this:  take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and carry down to the man as a present, a little balm and a little honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.  Take double the money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks;  perhaps it was a mistake.  Take your brother also, and arise, return to the man;  and may God Almighty grant you compassion in the sight of the man, so that he will release to you your other brother and Benjamin.  And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”  So the men took this present, and they took double the money in their hand, and Benjamin;  then they arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.”   Genesis 43:11-15.  

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Israel (a/k/a Jacob) did not want his son Benjamin to go with his other sons to Egypt;  but, the famine in the land continued to be severe and Joseph demanded that Benjamin appear with them if they went back to Egypt.  Israel had no choice if he wanted his family to live.  But, we noticed that he did more than pray, so to speak, “may God Almighty grant you compassion”.  Israel sent a gift for Joseph with his sons.

Today’s devotion will meditate on the wisdom of doing so and some types of gifts that can be given when we want to appease or please someone.

“The fury of a king is like messengers of death,
But a wise man will appease it.” Proverbs 16:14-15.

“After coming into the house they (magi from the east a/k/a wise men) saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11.

“And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.” Psalm 27:6.

“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:23.

But, most importantly, like Israel’s sons brought Benjamin to Joseph in order to gain Joseph’s favor and live, so to speak, we need to bring Christ to God in order to gain God’s favor and live.  “He who has the Son has the life;  he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”  1 John 5:12.  “… “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased;  …”  Matthew 17:5.

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 42:18-25.

“Now Joseph said to them on the third day, “Do this and live, for I fear God:  if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in your prison;  but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine of your households, and bring your youngest brother to me, so your words may be verified, and you will not die.”  And they did so.  Then they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen;  therefore this distress has come upon us.”  Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’;  and you would not listen?  Now comes the reckoning for his blood.”  They did not know, however, that Joseph understood, for there was an interpreter between them.  He turned away from them and wept.  But when he returned to them and spoke to them, he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.  Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain and to restore every man’s money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. And thus it was done for them.”  Genesis 42:18-25.

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We are reminded of God’s providence by Joseph’s action in the last verse of filling his brothers’ bags with grain, restoring their money, and giving them provisions for the journey.

Even though Joseph’s brothers may felt distress thinking Joseph treated then roughly and sternly (not aware of all that Joseph provided and intended for them), Joseph provided and intended way beyond what they recognized and even hoped.  

Likewise, we may feel at times that God treats us by roughly and sternly by the trials, distresses, and afflictions that we experience, not aware of all that God provided and intended for us.

May the following Scriptures build our faith in God’s providence.

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19.

“4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.

8 O taste and see that the LORD is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
9 O fear the LORD, you His saints;
For to those who fear Him there is no want.” Psalm 34:4-9.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” Psalm 103:1-5.

Consider the following from the Heidelberg Catechism.

Q. 26.  What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?

A.  That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them;  who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence) is, for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father;  on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt but He will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body;  and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me, in this valley of tears, turn out to my advantage;  for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.

Q. 28.  What advantage is it to us to know that God has created, and by His providence doth still uphold all things?

A.  That we may be patient in adversity;  thankful in prosperity;  and that in all things which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from His love;  since all creatures are so in His hand, that without His will they cannot so much as move.

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  Amen.”  Ephesians 3:20-21.

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 42:14-17.

“Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you, you are spies;  by this you will be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here!  Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you.  But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.”  So he put them all together in prison for three days.”  Genesis 42:14-17. 

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“4 The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in heaven;
His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.
5 The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked,
And the one who loves violence His soul hates.
6 Upon the wicked He will rain snares;
Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.
7 For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness;
The upright will behold His face.” Psalm 11:4-5.

Joseph tested his brothers, and he put them in prison for three days.  God also tests all of us, but for His elect, He puts them in Christ Who was in the tomb three days.   

Consider the following Scriptures for what God has done for His elect.

“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;  for he who has died is freed from sin.

Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again;   death no longer is master over Him.  For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all;  but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”  Romans 6:4-11.       

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:4-7.       

“He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”  Romans 4:25.    

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 42:7-13.

“When Joseph saw his brothers he recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and spoke to them harshly.  And he said to them, “Where have you come from?”  And they said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”

But Joseph had recognized his brothers, although they did not recognize him.  Joseph remembered the dreams which he had about them, and said to them, “You are spies;  you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land.”  Then they said to him, “No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food.  We are all sons of one man; we are honest men, your servants are not spies.”  Yet he said to them, “No, but you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land!”  But they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers in all, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan;  and behold, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no longer alive.”  Genesis 42:7-13.  

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Joseph’s brothers did not recognize Joseph, thinking Joseph was dead.  Verses 8 and 13.  In a sense, Joseph was dead to his old life, but Joseph had a whole new life, and a much greater life, as ruler of Egypt.  

We are reminded by today’s Scripture that in Christ, we are a new creature.  People may not recognize us or they will at least notice the change, and that is good.

“Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh;  even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.  Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;  the old things passed away;  behold, new things have come.”  2 Corinthians 5:16-17.  

“I have been crucified with Christ;  and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”  Galatians 2:20.

“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.  Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed?  For the outcome of those things is death.  But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.”  Romans 6:20-22.  

“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;  but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:12-14.