2 Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of theyoungest one‘s sack, along with the silver for his grain."
And he did as Joseph said. - P48
9 If any of your servants is found to have it, he will die;and the rest of us will become my lord‘s slaves." - P49
12 Then the steward proceeded to search, beginningwith the oldest and ending with the youngest. And thecup was found in Benjamin‘s sack. 13 At this, they toretheir clothes. Then they all loaded their donkeys andreturned to the city. - P49
Joseph devises another round of testing for his brothers. He places hiscup in Benjamin‘s sack because he wishes to see how the brothers willreact when the cup is discovered. - P50
Joseph has cleverly set up a situationthat mirrors the circumstances that led to his brothers selling him intoslavery will they abandon Benjamin the way they abandoned Joseph?
- P50
God will sometimes test us in a similar manner. We may feel discour-aged when we face the same temptation or struggle over again, but it isonly through such tests that we can see whether we have truly repented and grown in faith.
- P50
When we overcome a trial that stumbled us in past, our lives become a testimony
to God‘s transforming power. - P50
The brothers are rightly devastated to discover the silver cup in Benja-min‘s sack. They tear their clothes in deep lament and return to the cityto face the consequences. - P50
Through this entire ordeal, Joseph‘s hope isthat his brothers will show that they regret their past mistakes and havelearned a sense of loyalty and love toward their family. - P50
Joseph does notknow it yet, but this family unity will become essential in later yearsas the nation of Israel grows and settles among pagan peoples. - P50
We maynot think that the small, everyday decisions we make for our family willhave a wide impact, but God may have greater plans. - P50
Let us ask Him tohelp us see the bigger picture and live according to this vision. - P50
"Not infrequently our God brings His people into difficulties on purpose thatthey may come to know Him as they could not otherwise do."
- James Hudson Taylor - P50
Heavenly Father, help me to view my decisions and circumstances as part of abigger plan that you have, not only for my life but for the advancement of Yourkingdom and the praise of Your glory. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P51
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