Marvelous Things

O.T. #94  "Marvelous things"
July 29, 2013
Genesis 43-Part 4
And they sat before him, the first-born according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marveled one at another.  Genesis 43:33

LET IT GLOW

What marvelous things has God done for you? I can answer that question. He created me. I was born seven years after my brother. He protected me throughout my childhood. God provided salvation for me before he created anything. I have a marvelous husband and family. But can't we all say those same things? What marvelous things has God done for only me? He has extended my life 12 years, giving me breath each day. I experienced His love through friends, old and new this weekend. I have seen the beautiful mountains and rivers as I traveled to our capital city. My flat tire wasn't a blowout so I wrecked. I saw a huge walking stick on our kitchen wall.
(How it got there, I can't figure out.) Most of all, God's marvelous grace and mercy follow me all the days of my life.

What has happened so far to this chosen family? God created a famine in Canaan where Jacob and his sons and families resided. Their son and brother Joseph had ended up in Egypt due to some of the brothers selling him as a slave, yet it was by God's providence. Joseph eventually ended up being put
in charge of the food distribution during this time, as well as second in command. Jacob sent ten of the brothers down to Egypt to buy grain when their food supply ran out. They went. Guess who Joseph's brothers appeared before in order to buy the grain. It was Joseph, their brother whom they had sold  into slavery. He was the agriculture consultant, too. Joseph recognized his brothers,
although they didn't recognize him. So Joseph tested his brothers to see if they had a change of heart by secretly refunding their purchase money in the sacks of grain. On their way home, the brothers stop off at the Holiday Inn. Not. They discovered the money and told their father. Now they had to return the money and bring Benjamin, the youngest brother with them (Joseph required it, as well as kept Simeon in jail until their return).
Jacob's son, all ten of them, returned to Egypt in order to purchase more grain and return the returned money of the first trip. This is what happened during their second stay/trip in Egypt. Joseph had them taken to his house for lunch. while they waited for the head honcho, Joseph to come, the guys spilled the beans and told the steward what had happened concerning the money. He already knew about the situation. That's where we pick up the story, which actually happened in real life.

Joseph got emotional when he saw his baby brother, Benjamin. They were the only brothers with Rachael as their mother. Joseph had to leave the room because he was weeping.
Verse 31 says in NIV, After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, "Serve the food."

Can you imagine the brothers reactions when Joseph had them seated at the table in their birth order, oldest to the youngest? Who would know such a thing other than one who was part of the family?
they looked at each other in astonishment.
KJV says the men marvelled one at another.
Marvelled means be amazed, be astonished, wonder. (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance)

Do we ever stop and marvel at what happens in our life? Does God do marvelous things for us?
Do we give God the credit for them?

LET IT GROW

Joseph didn't eat with his 11 brothers at his table. It was a forbidden thing for Egyptians to eat with Hebrews. Guess who received 5 times the portion of food that the others did to eat at the table.
Benjamin did. This time, the brothers were not jealous nor resentful toward the youngest brother. It seems that they had a change of heart since Joseph was a teen.

It was not their confession of guilt, their sacrifices, or their gifts that brought salvation to the brothers. It was the gracious forgiveness of Joseph, a forgiveness purchased by his own suffering on their behalf. What a picture of Jesus Christ! (Wiersbe)

Have you been jealous of your siblings? Can you let it go, forgive, and love them instead?

LET IT GO

Give God the glory for the things He has done.

How marvelous is His creation, faithfulness to provide for me.

Forgive and love like Jesus.

Send jealousy down the road.