What's in Your Sack?

O.T.#92  "What's in Your Sack?" 
July 25, 2013
Genesis 43-Part 2
"It's all right," he said. "Don't be afraid. your God, the God of your father, has given
you treasure in your sacks. I received your silver."  Genesis 43:23  

LET IT GLOW

When I was a kid, we had a barn where Dad kept provisions of food for the milk cows, a few
hogs, and hens on the farm. Inside the  brown, burlap sacks, gunny sacks he'd call them, was
corn or grains mixed together. These were important items in the barn, along with the hay up
in the loft. The animals depended upon their substance to sustain them, or fill their bellies.
There were treasures in those sacks. Not silver or gold treasure, but food. Joseph's brothers
found treasure in their sacks of grain.

On the way home from purchasing grain in Egypt, Joseph's ten brothers found their payment
of silver inside their sacks of grain, returned to them. When they came to Egypt again
(Benjamin's first time), while Simeon was still held hostage. Joseph told his steward to take
them to his house and prepare a noon meal for him and them. This frightened the brothers.
They were very suspicious, sounds like to me. (Maybe they were just being themselves.)

Why did they think Joseph did that?

• because of the silver that was put back into their sack of grain on their last visit;
• perhaps Joseph wanted to attack them;
• to overpower them;
• to seize them as slaves;
• to take their donkeys.

So they told the steward what happened after their first visit to Egypt-silver as payment for
the grain was returned into their sacks, they brought additional silver to buy more grain plus
return that money as first payment, and they don't know who did it. These guys are really
nervous, aren't they. Here they are in a foreign land and afraid of being accused of stealing.

The steward reassured the brothers. Don't be afraid. Your God, the God of your father,
has given you treasure in your sacks. I received your silver, he told them. Then he brought
Simeon out to them.

Sounds like Joseph had witnessed to his steward about God; about God directing the events
of Joseph's life and Jacob's life and his family.

What treasures has God put into your sack? Eternal life in heaven, salvation, love, peace?
What do we treasure? Bible, prayer time, family, friends, job?
Do we trust God to put treasure in our sack, our life? Do we give Him glory and credit for
our provision?
Are we thankful for all that we have? Will we share it?

For where our treasure is, there will our heart be also. Luke 12:34


LET IT GROW

So the steward took the brothers to Joseph's house, gave them water to wash their feet, and
provided for their donkeys. The brothers prepared their gifts for Joseph, since they would eat with him at noon.

Are we prepared to dine with the Savior, at His table, in heaven? I am considered different in
that I believe it is not physical food that we will be eating, but spiritual food for our soul, while in a new body. One day we will find out.
Are we bringing Jesus our gifts? What will we present to Him? Oh, they won't be physical
things, after all, He owns it all in heaven and on earth. What gifts could our Creator possibly
enjoy receiving from us?
Perhaps the gifts of praise, worship, glory and  honor, thanksgiving, faithfulness, a heart of
love given to Him. Isn't He worthy of them all? I know we will lay our crowns at His feet
because we will be so unworthy to wear them. King Jesus. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Perfect Lamb of God who takes away our sin with His blood.


LET IT GO

Look in my sack (life) and see what treasures God has given me.

Worship, praise, and thank my Savior daily.