Genesis 44:1-17 NKJV
44 And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack. 2 Also put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain money.” So he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. 3 As soon as the morning dawned, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys. 4 When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, “Get up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? 5 Is not this the one from which my lord drinks, and with which he indeed practices divination? You have done evil in so doing.’ ”
6 So he overtook them, and he spoke to them these same words. 7 And they said to him, “Why does my lord say these words? Far be it from us that your servants should do such a thing. 8 Look, we brought back to you from the land of Canaan the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? 9 With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.”
10 And he said, “Now also let it be according to your words; he with whom it is found shall be my slave, and you shall be blameless.” 11 Then each man speedily let down his sack to the ground, and each opened his sack. 12 So he searched. He began with the oldest and left off with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. 13 Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city.
14 So Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, and he was still there; and they fell before him on the ground. 15 And Joseph said to them, “What deed is this you have done? Did you not know that such a man as I can certainly practice divination?”
16 Then Judah said, “What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how shall we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants; here we are, my lord’s slaves, both we and he also with whom the cup was found.”
17 But he said, “Far be it from me that I should do so; the man in whose hand the cup was found, he shall be my slave. And as for you, go up in peace to your father.”
What is displayed within this section of Genesis and the events that took place with Joseph and his brothers can appear to be improper or not pleasing to God (as some disputes try to bring such accusations). Many invent their own works (usually man-made superstitions) believing that they will impress God.
But the following words from our beloved Rev. Dr. Martin Luther truly shed some honest light on Joseph’s actions. He writes: “There is nothing more insufferable and poisonous on earth than a barefoot monk. For they take delight in their own ways and want to be honored in them. Nor can they endure any reproof. But we see that the patriarchs were exercised in faith, hope, and patience according to the Word and will of God, and that they endured prosperity and adversity in an equal degree in the fear of God.”
“Consider, therefore, that this game which Joseph played with his brothers was a very pleasing spectacle to God, just as Joseph took great delight in the patience and vexation of his brothers, although they themselves did not understand. Below it will become evident how acceptable all this was to God. In the same manner you will also determine that your life is a game played by God, that all you do and suffer is pleasing to Him, provided that it is done in faith, and that finally death itself is precious in the sight of the Lord (Ps. 116:15).” (LW AE 7, 357, CPH)
Now, dear reader, you may well find such words of Luther to be a hard pill of theological truth to swallow, but the only thing that truly makes it hard is that it goes against our sinful flesh, which is only self-absorbed in thinking that it deserves to have life be as easy as possible. Only God can bring about a steadfast faith that kills our flesh (with the truth of His Law) and brings us to walk in newness of life by the New Man (though the Gospel of His Son, our Lord, Christ Jesus)!
Let us pray: O Lord, as You set our course in life, be it without or with troubles, bring us to a steadfast walk of faith and life because of Your beloved Law and Gospel. Amen.