Poor Jacob, feeling so sorry for himself (Why were you so cruel to me? ... Why did you tell him you had another brother? Genesis 43:6).
He finally came to the place where he could say, May El Shaddai [God Almighty] give you mercy. .. But if I must lose my children, so be it (Genesis 43:14).
But only because they were starving. But how "starving" were they, with enough balm, honey, gum, aromatic resin, pistachio nuts and almonds(!) to send as a gift to this Egyptian ruler, who just happened to be Jacob's own long-lost Joseph!
We know the end of this story, but Jacob didn't yet at that time. Not being able to see what lies ahead, he was very discouraged, even though he tried to put his trust in God.
It's so hard for us to trust when we don't see the good God has for us up ahead, only the problems we have now. Only later, after, can we see how today's problems, griefs, and toils are used by God to bring about the best good for our sake, and bring glory to God, Who master-minded the whole process in the first place.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
