📅 May 29, 2025

📖 DAILY BIBLE READING

✨ Genesis 43 –Reunion in Grace: Joseph Welcomes His Brothers with Love

🌍 Forgiveness, responsibility, and God’s invisible guidance in Joseph’s life

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📜 Bible Text – Genesis 43 (KJV)

¹ And the famine was sore in the land.

² And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.

³ And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

⁴ If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:

⁵ But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

⁶ And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?

⁷ And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?

⁸ And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones.

⁹ I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:

¹⁰ For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.

¹¹ And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:

¹² And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:

¹³ Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:

¹⁴ And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.

¹⁵ And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.

¹⁶ And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.

¹⁷ And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.

¹⁸ And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.

¹⁹ And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,

²⁰ And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:

²¹ And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.

²² And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.

²³ And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.

²⁴ And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.

²⁵ And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.

²⁶ And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.

²⁷ And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?

²⁸ And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.

²⁹ And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.

³⁰ And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.

³¹ And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.

³² And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

³³ And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.

³⁴ And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of their’s. And they drank, and were merry with him.

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🔵 Introduction

The story of Joseph is one of the most moving narratives in the Bible. It shows how God uses even the deepest human wounds to bring about healing, growth, and restoration. In chapter 43, we reach a crucial turning point: the brothers return to Egypt – this time with Benjamin. The pressure of famine and Joseph’s plan force them to confront their past. What follows is a scene filled with tension, reverence, and grace.

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🟡 Commentary

1. Famine Forces Action (vv. 1–10)
The famine becomes unbearable. Judah steps up and takes responsibility, offering himself as surety for Benjamin – a major transformation compared to the past (when he once sold Joseph).

🔑 God’s paths often lead us into tight places to shape our hearts.

2. Preparation – With Gifts and a Guilty Conscience (vv. 11–14)
Jacob relents, but not easily. He gives instructions: gifts, double payment, Benjamin – and a prayer for God’s mercy. He struggles – torn between fear and faith.

🕊 Trusting in God’s mercy is crucial when our resources run out.

3. Joseph’s Reception – Kindness Despite Fear (vv. 15–24)
The brothers fear a trap, but Joseph receives them with generosity. His steward comforts them: “Your God… has given you treasure in your sacks.”

💡 God’s blessings often come in ways we do not expect – through unknown means.

4. The Reunion with Benjamin (vv. 25–30)
The emotional climax: Joseph sees Benjamin, blesses him, and weeps. His feelings overwhelm him. The brothers, once filled with hate, now bow in reverence.

❤️ Forgiveness touches the heart more deeply than revenge ever could.

5. A Royal Feast (vv. 31–34)
The brothers are seated by birth order – which amazes them. Benjamin receives five times as much – a test or a special sign of love? It ends with a feast of joy.

✨ God leads us through trials – not to condemn, but to reveal and refine.

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🟢 Summary

Genesis 43 is a chapter of divine guidance, personal growth, and quiet preparation for reconciliation. The brothers, once guilty, are now humble and responsible. Joseph, once the victim, now rules – with compassion. In the midst of suffering, grace shines through.

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🔴 Message for Us Today

Take Responsibility – Judah teaches us what true repentance looks like – not in words alone, but through action and willingness to sacrifice.

Trust God’s Ways – Even when God leads us through need, He is working in us – patiently, wisely, lovingly.

Forgiveness is Possible – Joseph shows us a picture of Christ – who forgives those who wronged Him.

Joy After Tears – At the end, there is a feast. Those who trust in God are led from hardship to joy.

🙏 God is working – even when we don’t see it. Our task is to trust Him, confess our wrongs, and step forward with open hearts.

~~~~~ 📚 ~~~~~

📆 May 25 – 31, 2025

📆 WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

📖 Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 7

✨ The Flood

📖 Read online here

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🔵 Introduction

In a world once of paradisiacal beauty, deep corruption reigned: idolatry, violence, and moral decay had driven out trust in the Creator. When God saw that “every intent of the thoughts of [people’s] hearts was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5), He announced a worldwide judgment by water—and at the same time provided a means of rescue: Noah’s Ark.

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🟡 Commentary

1.The Earth’s Fatal Condition

• • Corrupted by idolatry and self-deification

  • Adultery, violence, and licentiousness: violations of God’s order for life

2.Noah’s Commission and Preparation

• • 120 years of Ark-building as a living warning

  • Preaching repentance and extending an invitation to salvation

3.God’s Deliverance for Noah and His Family

• • The Ark as a sign of divine grace and obedience

  • The closing of the door: the end of all opportunity for repentance

4.The Day of Judgment in the Flood

• • The bursting of the subterranean springs and the opening of the heavens

  • Destruction of the unrepentant; preservation of the righteous

5.A Type of the Final Judgment

• • Parallels between Noah’s day and the last days (Matt. 24:38–39; 2 Pet. 3)

  • God’s warning and invitation remain in effect until Christ’s return

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🟢 Summary

The pre-Flood generation abused God’s gifts and life itself, denied Him, and forged their own destruction in sin. God revealed His judgment to Noah, yet at the same time offered rescue to him and his family through the Ark. Those who heeded God’s call were saved; those who persisted in rebellion were swept away in judgment. The Flood displays both God’s holy justice and His merciful deliverance for all who believe and obey.

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🔴 Message for Us Today

• Watchfulness and Repentance: As in Noah’s day, our hearts can easily be seized by selfishness and excess. God’s warning calls us to turn from sin and live holy lives.

• Obedience as Deliverance: Those who heed God’s voice and walk in His ways find rescue—not by their own merit, but by His grace.

• Eschatological Parallel: The Flood is a sobering picture of Christ’s coming judgment. Let us prepare by living in faith, shunning sin, and sharing the saving message with others.

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