The Study of Genesis: Post Seventeen
***Note – We have completed the book of Job. Now, as we continue our journey through the Bible in chronological order, this is our 17th devotion in Genesis. Though we’re in Week 29 overall, we’ll be in Genesis for the next few weeks.
Focus: Genesis 42 – 43
Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.
This week’s devotion includes:
Chapter 42 – “The Past Meets the Present”
Chapter 43 – “Surrender”
(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be broken up over several days.)
Bible Memory:
Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?
Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.
This Week’s Memory Verse — “And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. -Genesis 43:14
Genesis Chapter 42
“The Past Meets the Present”
(Read Genesis Chapter 42 First)
The last time we heard from Jacob, he was broken and grieving the supposed death of his beloved son Joseph. His other sons had deceived him, claiming Joseph was mauled by an animal. Now years have passed, and famine has settled over the land.
Jacob knows there is corn in Egypt, and he sends ten of his sons to buy food so their families can live. He keeps his youngest son, Benjamin, at home because he’s fearful of losing another son. What Jacob doesn’t realize is that God is already arranging a divine meeting where healing can happen! This reminded me that God is so good at working behind the scenes to help us even if it’s been years of hurt.
Joseph, the brother they betrayed, is now governor over Egypt. He controls the corn. When his brothers come before him,they bow and unknowingly fulfilling the dream Joseph had so long ago. They do not recognize him, but he recognizes them immediately.
Joseph questions them and accuses them of being spies even though he knew they weren’t. This was part of his plan to get the whole family together. In their defense, they explain that they are twelve brothers: one is at home with their father, and one is dead. You know that statement had to hurt Joseph.
Joseph insists they must prove their honesty and places them all in prison for three days.
There is something significant about those three days. Throughout Scripture, we see “three days” connected with testing, proving, and often transformation. I think of Jonah, Lazarus, and Jesus Himself rising on the third day. It is often after the third day that God reveals some kind of truth, brings clarity to a situation, or allows redemption to take place.
On the third day, Joseph offers them a way to be released from prison. He said one brother will remain imprisoned while the others return home with corn, but they must bring Benjamin back to prove that they are not spies.
In verse 21, the brothers finally confess their guilt. They remember Joseph’s anguish, how he begged for mercy, and how they refused to listen. Now, they believe the distress they’re facing is the consequence of the sin they committed.
Maybe it happened years ago or perhaps it had just begun there in the prison, but I can hear their hearts begin to soften in their confession. Reuben reminds them that he warned them not to harm Joseph, but they wouldn’t listen. Now, they fear they are being punished for what they did.
Joseph used an interpreter so the brother’s believed he couldn’t understand them. They spoke freely amongst each other. When Joseph heard their regret and confession, it overwhelmed him, and he leaves them to weep.
Joseph returns and tells them he’s going to keep Simeon imprisoned as collateral. He sends the others home with corn and something else.… He secretly returns their money and provides food for their journey.
This is mercy!
Instead of revenge Joseph chose kindness. He allowed God to lead his actions rather than letting his emotions lead him. His mercy reminds me of the mercy God gives to us…undeserved and unexpected.
One of the brothers discovers his money was returned into his bag and they become extremely fearful. “What is this that God hath done unto us?” they ask. Notice that someone did something kind unto them and their reaction is fear..that sounds like they are carrying heavy guilt.
When they return home and tell Jacob everything, his grief resurfaces. To him, it feels like he just keeps experiencing losses: first Joseph, now Simeon, and the threat of losing Benjamin too.
Reuben offers his own sons as a guarantee that he will bring Benjamin back home safely, but Jacob refuses. His heart is still full of fear and sorrow. He cannot bear the thought of losing Benjamin, the last living son of Rachel.
Genesis 42 shows us that God does not rush. He patiently brings out the truth, allows conviction to do its work, and offers plenty of mercy.
The famine brought the brothers to Egypt, but it was God who brought their past into the light. In their judgment, we still see grace. God is not finished with this family. He is just beginning to heal what was broken between them.
Reflection / Journaling Questions:
• What buried guilt or unresolved sin might God be gently bringing to the surface?
• How do you respond when kindness feels undeserved?
• Are you allowing fear to speak louder than faith, like Jacob did?
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Genesis Chapter 43
“Surrender”
(Read Genesis Chapter 43 First)
Some time has passed. The corn is gone from Jacob (Israel’s) household, but the famine is not.
Jacob and his family find themselves right back where they started. They are in need of more food.
I can’t help but notice… they left Simeon in prison this whole time! Jacob tells his sons to return to Egypt for more food, but Judah reminds him of the condition: “The man” told them they would not see his face again unless Benjamin came back with them.
Jacob’s response is..
Why did you even tell him you had another brother?
This made me think..Have you ever looked for someone to blame when situations got tense? I’m sure we’ve all been there.
The brothers explain they were asked directly and they had no way of knowing he would make a request like that. Judah steps forward and takes responsibility. He offers himself as surety. He says if Benjamin doesn’t return, he will bear the blame forever.
Change is happening within this family.
Jacob (Israel) finally agrees to let Benjamin go. But before they leave, he does something important.
He prepares wisely:
• Gifts from the best of the land
• Balm, honey, spices, myrrh
• Nuts and almonds
• Double money
And then he prays.
“And God Almighty give you mercy before the man…”
“If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”
I can almost hear the surrender in his heart.
For years Jacob tried to protect Benjamin by holding him close. The moment he releases Benjamin, he places him fully into God’s hands.
This made me think that sometimes blessing is waiting just on the other side of surrender.
Sometimes we have to loosen our grip before God will move.
Journal Prompt:
• What am I holding onto tightly because I’m afraid?
• Is God asking me to trust Him with something I’ve tried to control?
When the brothers return to Egypt with Benjamin, Joseph immediately arranges for them to eat at his house.
Instead of relief, they feel panic.
They assume they’re being brought in to be punished over the returned money. When we carry guilt, even someone’s generosity can feel suspicious.
They felt the need to talk to someone about the situation, so they explain everything to the steward, confessing they found their money and brought it back. I love his response:
“Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks…”
And do you know what makes this statement so powerful?
Someone outside their covenant, an Egyptian steward, recognized God’s hand in their lives.
Even people who don’t claim to know God personally can see when He is working in someone’s life and situation.
Real-Life Application:
Sometimes we assume every closed door or confusing situation is possibly God’s judgment. But what if it’s His provision? What if what feels scary is actually His grace but we just can’t see it yet.
Joseph asks about their father. He notices his younger brother. And then he says:
“God be gracious unto thee, my son.”
The word gracious means:
• To show favor
• To extend mercy
• To grant kindness
• To give unearned blessing
I love how God used Joseph, who had many reasons to be bitter, but instead chose to speak blessings over people.
He allowed God to heal his heart.
A Prayer We Can Pray:
“Lord, be gracious unto my children.”
“Lord, be gracious unto my family.”
“Lord, be gracious unto me.”
The next verse tells us Joseph’s “bowels did yearn” for his brother. That means his heart was overwhelmed with deep compassion. He had to rush away and weep privately in his bedroom. He composes himself and returns.
They all eat in the same room, however, they were culturally separated at different tables. The brothers are arranged in the exact order they were born. They marvel at how this ruler could know such details?
Joseph is beginning to reveal that he sees more than they think.
And what moves me most is that a meal is shared.
In Scripture, and still today, meals often signal a covenant, peace, reconciliation, blessing, and life. To eat together is intimate. It’s vulnerable. It’s life-giving.
Reflection Questions:
• How do I react to kindness? Does it make me feel guilty or good?
• Who could I invite to my table this week as an act of peace?
Maybe this week, you don’t just read about reconciliation.
Maybe you practice it.
Invite someone to your table. Cook a meal. Pray over your family. Release what you’ve been holding onto.
And whisper the same blessing Joseph did:
“God be gracious unto thee.”
The Georgia Nest 