This is part of a video series covering the entire Bible in 4 years, one chapter at a time. Start at the beginning with Genesis 1 (Youtube link: https://youtu.be/wC2qD4RGOdo) and work through the playlist. Or go to https://www.peace.org.au/bible.html for more information.
In this video listen to Genesis 44 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.
In Genesis 44 Joseph tests his brothers one more time with the ultimate character test. He wants to see if they hate his brother, who is undoubtedly also a favourite, in the same way they hated him. They prove him wrong, and demonstrate how profoundly they have changed as a family.
Before Joseph was a slave they happily sacrificed him for their own happiness, but now Judah is willing to sacrifice himself for his brother and father’s happiness. God has worked wonders in this family.
This is a family that has suffered. Certainly Joseph suffered in Egypt, but his journey seems cheerful in comparison to those left behind. Through the pain of what they experienced they have changed. The Lord knows how to bring good out of pain.
Christ himself is called the man of sorrows, who knew grief on our behalf. (Isaiah 53:3) And his road up the hill to Calvary was named the Via Del La Rosa, or the path of suffering. Jesus knew how to walk into suffering for the good of all of us. And sometimes he allows suffering to work inside of us for our good, and the good of others too. Only God has this wisdom.
Suffering can also cause us to change in negative ways also. We need to thank God for the suffering we are allowed to walk through, and keep our eyes on him, so that we will become like him in his death, and be raised to life with him also.
Feb 14, 2021 | Message by David Alley