Gen 42

Desperate people do desperate things, and so it was for Jacob and his family. He has already seen the demise of his favorite son, the brutality of his other sons and now he watches as the family is in the midst of a extreme famine. He is angered and sends his idle sons to Egypt to but grain/corn from the ruler there but he leaves the youngest, Benjamin behind. As the 10 make their way to the leader, they bow before the ruler who was Joseph, fulfilling the prophesy that was set years before them. He tested the brothers and called them spies in order to find out how they have progressed over these years. He must have alter his appearance so much that even his brothers couldn't recognize him and he probably spoke to them through an interpreter in Egyptian. One thing that was not mentioned in the earlier chapter was that Joseph pleaded for his life when he tossed into the pit. That was brought out in their first update encounter. Reuben also made Joseph, who was unaware at the time, that he did feel for him and regretted the others' action. Still, despite his own weeping of the situation, he had Simeon bound in prison as they prepared to bring the youngest before him. Joseph not only filled their bags with grain but unbeknowst to them gave them back their money. When they found the grain and the cash, they were dismayed since now they appear as theives. Jacob, is now brought into the picture and doesn't want to give up Benjamin. Jacob, who fears that Benjamin will be lost to him as well as Simeon and refuses to comply despite Reuben's noble offer and thus the chapter ends.

I wonder what Simeon felt when he was placed into prison and how he felt he drew the "short straw". It was Simeon and Levi who massacred the men at the deflowering of Dinah, so he was a man prone to violence and brutality. Does he feel remorse or shame? Can someone like him change his stripes? Does he fall to his knees and come clean before a holy God?

Pretty good day yesterday - went to AK to pick up a free calendar (as a season passholder) and then went shopping before picking up GG at the airport. Went to Smokey Bones (my new fav BBQ place) and had lunch, went with Irene to the Disney Movie Studios to see the Osbourne lights and then came back and made dinner for the family.

Praise for today: Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble Ps 41:1