Genesis 43: 16-25
Jacob is becoming Israel (from the "Deceiver" who couldn't trust, to the "Prince with God"), and he let the brothers bring Benjamin with them back to Egypt to buy more food, despite the dangers, leaving them all in God's hands.
(16) When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his house steward, "Bring the men into the house, and slay an animal and make ready; for the men are to dine with me at noon." (17) So the man did as Joseph said, and brought the men to Joseph's house.
Joseph didn't even talk to them out in the marketplace this time, he just instructed his manservant to bring them all to his house and prepare a feast. We must assume that his personal servant was fully aware of who these men were and what his master was doing, having been involved in this drama from the beginning.
(18) Now the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph's house; and they said, "It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time that we are being brought in, that he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us, and take us for slaves with our donkeys."
The brothers still didn't know what was going on, though, and being ushered into the royal house of this stern and suspicious Egyptian ruler was very scary. They assumed that they would be accused of stealing the former grain, just so this foreigner could take advantage of them.
(19) So they came near to Joseph's house steward, and spoke to him at the entrance of the house, (20) and said, "Oh my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food, (21) and it came about when we came to the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and behold, each man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full. So we have brought it back in our hand. (22) We have also brought down other money in our hand to buy food; we do not know who put our money in our sacks."
As soon as they got there, they approached this servant who was in charge and tried to explain their predicament to him, hoping he'll put in a good word for them, before anything else happened to them.
(23) He said, "Be at ease, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money." Then he brought Simeon out to them.
Now they are probably surprised at what this head servant said to them. I am sure that Joseph, who initially witnessed to Pharaoh himself, also told all his household servants who his God is, and they all saw how he lived his life before them. I'm sure some of them even believed in God instead of all their Egyptian idols.
Now his head manservant is telling Joseph's brothers that he is the one who facilitated the return of their money the first time, and he credits their God who is also the God of their father. And he also reunited them with Simeon, too.
I think this unnamed servant also worshiped the Lord God Almighty, through Joseph's witness.
(24) So they prepared the present for Joseph's coming at noon; for they had heard that they were to eat a meal there.
The brothers are still going to give him the present their dad told them to bring, of all the balm and honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, and the pistachio nuts and almonds, to soften his stern attitude toward them.
(25) When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present which was in their hand and bowed to the ground before him.
Then when Joseph came home for lunch, they lost no time in presenting this gift to him, and they further fulfilled Joseph's dream by bowing down to him.
I wonder what they thought of these Egyptians talking about their God. They knew that there was a whole pantheon of Egyptian gods that they all worshiped, how would this head steward even know about their God, and especially, why would he give Him credit for putting their money back? They must have been very confused at this point of the story.
I am impressed with Joseph even more, seeing how he has maintained his faith in God and his witness for Him among this pagan nation he is helping to govern under Pharaoh. It looks to me that he talks of his God every time he has an appropriate opening, and his words and lifestyle are supporting what he says about this God.
If anyone had "reason" (an excuse) to turn from God, Joseph would be the one. At every turn in his life, when he did "the right thing," it turned out bad for him, three times, and God seemed to be so distant for so many years. Yet Joseph never waned in his trust in God. We never see in any of his story that he made a wrong decision, or lost his way on the path he was following, even when it seemed darkest for a long time.
If Joseph could maintain his dedication to God and his witness to others in his surroundings, then what could ever happen in my life to cause me to lose my faith, either.
No matter what happens, no matter how long I must "wait on God" to fulfill my dreams to serve Him, I know that He is trustworthy, and that He wants His love to be broadcast over the whole world. And if He wants to use me in a little part of that, then I am available, and will endeavor to be faithful with the small tasks He lays before me each day.
O my Father, please send out all of Your children, to share in all the ways You enable each of us to share, how much You love everyone You made; and that You are not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to the repentance of realizing we all deserve death; and that You sent Your own, only begotten Son to fulfill that Personal Sacrifice (Leviticus 1), as the Lamb of God, for each of us.
O Father, bring all of Your children to the birth into Your family, and fill Your great house with all of Your uncountable progeny. And no one else will have any excuse.
For every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign, soon-coming King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, forever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
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