City Life Starter

Written by Megan Meier

The Word

“16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, ‘Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.’ 17 The man did as Joseph told him and brought the men to Joseph’s house. 18 And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph’s house, and they said, ‘It is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys.’ 19 So they went up to the steward of Joseph’s house and spoke with him at the door of the house, 20 and said, ‘Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food. 21 And when we came to the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it again with us, 22 and we have brought other money down with us to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.’ 23 He replied, ‘Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money.’ Then he brought Simeon out to them. 24 And when the man had brought the men into Joseph’s house and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder, 25 they prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.”

Genesis 43:16-25 (ESV)

“11 And he [Jesus] said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.’’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.’”

Luke 15:11-24 (ESV)

Megan’s Musings

Joseph was afraid his full-blooded brother Benjamin would be treated the same way the other brothers treated him, and was relieved at seeing Benjamin far off. Before the brothers came to the house, he ordered preparations to be made for a feast. Why did Joseph put the money in the brothers’ bags in the first place? Either Joseph wanted to provide for his brothers or test them. After all, they were willing to sell their own brother into slavery for twenty shekels of silver (Genesis 37:28), about $200 in today’s money. Considering the demand for grain and the brothers weren’t Egyptian, the price might have been raised. They would have paid well over $200 each for grain. This seems to be a series of tests from Joseph to see whether or not his brothers have changed. 

Instead of the brothers being excited about the money and being invited to the second-in-command of Egypt’s house, they worried for their own well-being, that they themselves would be enslaved and exploited. The brothers might have felt good about what they did to Joseph for a moment, but the guilt ate them up for years, and they worried they would get their due that very day. The steward’s response indicates Joseph told him about God, but it might have confused the brothers, how would an Egyptian know about their God? 

Instead of a wrathful response, they were reunited with Simeon and were invited to lunch with the second-in-command of Egypt. Although they were relieved, they still intended to give him a gift to ease his potential anger. 

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the younger son demanded his share of inheritance. During first century Jewish Palestine, the inheritance wasn’t given until after the patriarch’s death. The younger son basically told his father to his face he hated him so much he wanted him dead. Like the brothers, he thought his wrongdoing would make him happy, but it didn’t. The guilt of what he did ate him alive later. When he had hit rock bottom, he decided to go back, thinking he would be lucky to be one of his father’s servants. But instead of getting reprimanded, or worse, ignored, his father welcomed him with open arms and a party to celebrate his return. 

Application

Instead of receiving God’s punishment, He has invited us to His table (Matthew 22:1-14). No matter what you’ve done, Jesus is waiting with open arms at His party. Will you accept His invitation?

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You that You welcome me with open arms to Your table. In Your name I pray, amen.