Good Morning.
And he commanded the steward of his house, 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. Also put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain money.” So he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.” (Genesis 44:1-2)
By commanding the steward to fill the brother’s sacks with grain — “as much as they can carry” — Joseph demonstrated that he didn’t have ill intentions for those who had wronged him. In fact, it reveals just how generous a heart this man had and especially for those who were his family. But this blessing granted to them also came with a test.
At the meal given to them, having bestowed upon Benjamin five times more than everyone else and without incident, Joseph was apparently satisfied that the 10 brothers were not jealous of Benjamin. However, would they fight for him? To discover whether they would or not, he instructed his steward to place his silver cup within Joseph’s sack. “Discovering” this cup in Benjamin’s sack would give him reason to investigate whether or not they would protect their younger brother. So, was he setting them up for failure or what he trying to discern what was in their heart?
As we know, our Heavenly Father is gracious, merciful and quick to bestow blessings upon His people because that is His heart. In Malachi 3:10, He said, “Try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.” However, in bestowing blessings upon His people there is an inherent test to determine what is in their heart. Will His people love and obey Him just because it is in their heart or do they do it just to receive the blessings? In Deuteronomy, Moses told the children of Israel:
And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.” (Deuteronomy 8:2)
Even though He freely gave of the manna to His people, He still wanted to know what was in their heart? Would they love Him and serve Him? Perhaps the way Job put it best describes what we should strive for in service to our God — “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15). I certainly don’t believe it is in His heart to slay us but I do believe that it should be in our heart to serve Him regardless of how much He decides to bless us. It should be a blessing just to know that we are His and He is our God.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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