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??“Your master's cup？We haven't stolen your master's cup! You can search every sack and see for yourself!” Do you remember what Joseph's steward found when he searched those sacks？Yes, that's right, the silver cup was found in Benjamin's sack! With great anguish and fear all the brothers got on their donkeys and turned back toward Egypt. Bowing down before the accusing eyes of this harsh Egyptian ruler, they feared for their very lives. But you and I know this Egyptian ruler was Joseph, and he is putting his brothers through one last test. Had their hearts changed since the time they had treated Joseph with such cruelty？Joseph did not wonder for long. As he saw his brothers pleading with tears for their brother Benjamin, he realized they were different. In Genesis 45：l we read：Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. Joseph said, “I am Joseph! Is my father really still alive？” But the brothers could not answer him, because they were so shocked with surprise and fear. Joseph called to them, “Come near to me, please. I am really Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But do not be grieved or angry with yourselves that you sold me as a slave. God sent me before you to save your life.
??Don't you think it is strange that Joseph was telling his brothers not to be grieved or angry with themselves for what they had done to him？Really and truly, Joseph was the one who should be very grieved and angry! After all, it was Joseph who had been treated so badly. But Joseph had forgiven his brothers. So, he didn’t have any anger. Joseph tried to explain to his brothers that he had been able to see God work all these evil things out for good. If Joseph hadn't gone to Egypt, then he would not have been there to tell Pharaoh the dream and warn him of the famine. There would have been no food stored up in Egypt, and everyone would have died, including Joseph and all his
??brothers. “God sent me before you to save life.” Joseph told them several times.
??Oh, you can be sure there was lots of crying and hugging when the brothers finally got over their shock and realized this was indeed their brother Joseph! Then Joseph began to tell them he wanted them to go home and bring their father, and all their families and belongings and move to Egypt. The famine was going to be bad for another five years and Joseph wanted to be able to care for all of them. Joseph gave them money, wagons, new clothes, plenty of food for the journey. How kind and generous Joseph was to all of them! He loved them so much, it seems he wanted to show them every way he possibly could!
??How much like our wonderful God Who loves us! He not only made us, and all things, but He shows in so many ways how much He loves us! What wonderful provision He has made for us...food, clothes, parents, His protection. But most wonderful of all is that He is willing to forgive us our sins and allow us to come and live with Him in Heaven some day. Did you think that everyone goes to heaven when they die？Well, God wants everyone to be in Heaven, but the truth is that there will be many, many people who will miss Heaven. Those who RECEIVE the Lord Jesus, God's Son, into their lives will have their sins forgiven and go to Heaven someday. Those who REJECT the Lord Jesus will not
??have their sins forgiven, so they cannot ever go to Heaven. I Cor. l5：3 &4 tells us about it：...how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. Can you think of a greater way for God to show His love for us than to send His dear Son to die for our sins？Joseph was showing his love for his family every way He possibly could!
??You can imagine what happened when the brothers returned to Canaan and tried to convince old Jacob that his son Joseph was not only very much alive, but the 2nd in command in Egypt! It took some time for old Jacob to believe this incredulous story, but finally he himself began to pack up to go with the family to Egypt! Genesis 45：28 says, And Israel (or Jacob) said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive：I will go and see him before I die. What a wonderful reunion Jacob had with his favorite son! Joseph had the joy of showing his dear old father all his wealth and position. And Joseph made sure his father and brothers and all their families settled in the best of the land, Goshen. There, Joseph cared for every need of the family. Old father Jacob was able to enjoy his long-lost son for l7 years, and then he went to be with the Lord in Heaven. Oh, and then those brothers started having a guilty conscience all over again! In Genesis 50：l5 we read, And when Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will....hate us, They thought Joseph was only being kind to them because his father was watching. What do you think？??The brothers all got together and went before Joseph and fell down before him and said, “We are your servants.” But Joseph had not changed. He meant it when he forgave them. He said to this brothers, “Don't be afraid of me：am I in the place of God to punish you？You thought evil against me, but God turned it into good, to save many people's lives.” The Bible tells us Joseph spoke kindly to them and continued to care for them.
??Our dear Joseph lived to be ll0 years old and was greatly respected not only by his family, but by all of Egypt. Well, we must say goodbye to Joseph here, but if you know the Lord Jesus, just think! Joseph will be one of the members of the family of God we will meet in heaven!
??Because not only did Joseph forgive his brothers, but God forgave Joseph of all his sin. How about you, if you know the Lord Jesus, will you this week do some “spring cleaning” in your heart？Look to see if there is any boy, or girl, relative, teacher, parent that you are not forgiving. Matthew 6：l4, For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6：l4. God has forgiven you of your sins, and He wants you to forgive others of their sins against you.
??If you have never believed on the Lord Jesus as your Saviour from sin, how much He loves you and wants to be your Saviour! Like Joseph was mistreated and hated at first, so the Lord Jesus was hated and beaten and nailed to a cross to die. But as with Joseph's life, God turned it to good to save the lives of many people. Now He is in heaven and just as Joseph wanted to forgive, and love and care for his family, so the Lord Jesus longs to forgive your sin and make you His child. What wonderful love and care we have as His children! The Bible says in Galatians 3：26 Ye are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Faith means believing. What must you believe？Believe that you are a sinner, separated from God. Believe that Jesus is God's Son and that He died willingly to take your punishment for sin. After His death on the cross, He was buried and rose the 3rd day. Believe that when you ask Him, He comes in to forgive your sin and make you His child forever!
