Genesis 44:13 says, Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.  Joseph's brothers were very upset, but instead of going on, they went back to the city.  They were not going to abandon Benjamin, even if it cost them.  We cannot abandon our brothers and sisters in Christ if they are in trouble, especially if they are being falsely accused.  Verse fourteen states, And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph’s house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.  Joseph's brothers once again fell before him, as his dream had foretold.  Verse fifteen declares, And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?  Joseph asked his brothers what they had done that he couldn't divine, or figure out.  Of course, in this case Joseph already knew what the situation was, but he was waiting to see what his brothers would say.  We also may at times be placed in a situation where people are just waiting to see if we will be truthful with them.  Verse sixteen states, And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.  Judah asked how could they clear themselves when God had found them guilty of iniquity, even Benjamin, though Benjamin wasn't guilty of the same thing.  When we sin, we can only confess our sins to God and ask His forgiveness, because we are all guilty of sin.  Verse seventeen declares, And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.  Joseph said that Benjamin was to remain as his servant and the other brothers could go free.  How much concern do we have for those around us who are imprisoned by sin, even if it isn't the particular sin they are accused of?  We cannot be content to be set free by Christ and have no concern for other people.  Verse eighteen says, Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.  Judah begged Joseph for permission to speak, since he recognized Joseph's position.  As followers of Christ, we do not have to beg God for permission to speak to Him, and His power is much greater than any person's will ever be.  Even as lost sinners, we don't have to beg God to listen, but simply have to come to Him humbly by faith in Chest.  Verse nineteen adds, My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?  Verse twenty continues, And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.  Judah told Joseph that they had answered his question about their family, but he adds a little more about Benjamin.  Of course, Benjamin's brother, Joseph, was not dead as they thought.  Still, though Benjamin may have been treated with preference as the other brothers thought Joseph was, they were not going to abandon him.  We likewise should learn from our past sins and not commit them over and over again.  Verse twenty-one goes on, And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.  Judah reminded Joseph that he had demanded that they bring Benjamin to him, and they had done so, even if they had waited to do so.  We must likewise bring the lost to God is they are to find salvation.  Verse twenty-two concludes, And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.  I believe that this was Judah's acknowledgement that Benjamin was more important to Israel than the others were.  Fortunately for us, there are no favorites with God.

Genesis 44:01 says, And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man’s money in his sack’s mouth.  Joseph once again had his brother's money returned to the top of their sacks.  We might think that they would have checked this time before they left, but they didn't.  If we find ourselves placed in a compromising position once, through no fault of our own, we might want to check things out if we find ourselves in a similar situation again.  Verse two adds, And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.  Not only did Joseph have the money returned, but he had his cup added to Benjamin's sack.  This would make Benjamin even more guilty than his brothers were, and would give Joseph an opportunity to see how the other brothers would react in this situation.  We cannot feel that someone else is more guilty of sin than we are because we view their sin as greater than ours.  Verse three states, As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses.  Joseph's brothers were sent away at daybreak.  It is possible that they were never given a real opportunity to check the sacks, and they may have been afraid that they would insult Joseph if they asked.  Still, they should have done so, and so should we when there is a possibility that we may be placed in a compromising situation.  Verse four adds, And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?  Joseph didn't allow his brothers to go home and discover the money and cup.  He sent his steward to overtake them and ask them how they could reward Joseph's good to them with their evil toward him.  Verse five continues, Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.  Joseph told the steward to accuse one of the brothers with stealing his cup.  Once more, I don't believe that Joseph was doing this out of spite, but to truly test the character of his brothers.  Would they feel the same way toward Benjamin as they had toward Joseph all those years ago?  Verse six states, And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.  Joseph's steward caught up with them and repeated what Joseph had told him to say.  The steward had little choice in the matter without bringing trouble to himself.  We today may be caught up in a situation where we seem to have little choice to do something that we know is wrong, but we need to stand for what is right no matter the cost.  Verse seven says, And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:  The brothers had to be totally confused about what they were being accused of, just as we should be totally confused if we are falsely accused of doing something wrong today.  They swore by God that they had done nothing wrong.  Verse eight adds, Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord’s house silver or gold?  The brothers said they had returned the money they found, so why would they now steal Joseph's silver or gold.  Of course, just because a person has been honest in dealing with us in the past doesn't mean that they always will be, though the brothers were in both situations.  Verse nine declares, With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen.  The brother's were so sure of their innocence that they said if the cup was found in the possession of one of them that he should be put to death and the others would be Joseph's bondsmen.  We should never make statements without first knowing all the facts, and if we are going to make statements in God's name, then we should certainly seek His guidance first.  Verse ten states, And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.  The steward said that the one that the cup was found with would be Joseph's servant, and the rest could go free.  We should never be willing to allow someone who is innocent to suffer as long as it doesn't cost us anything, especially our brother's and sisters in Christ.  Verse eleven declares, Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.  The brothers were impatient to prove their innocence.  They should have remembered what had happened before prior to being so quick to act in what I believe was indignation.  We should never allow pride or anger to dictate our actions.  Verse twelve states, And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.  The sacks were searched in the order of their age, and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.  The other brothers could have gone away free by sacrificing Benjamin, whom I believe was still being treated as more important than the other brothers by their father.  This was Joseph's big test of them.  We have to ask if we would allow someone that we feel is being treated better than us to be falsely accused and convicted if it didn't cost us anything.  Hopefully, we will stand for what is right no matter the cost to us personally.

Genesis 43:24 says, 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.  The brothers probably didn't know what to think by now, especially after being treated so roughly before.  Verse twenty-five states, And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.  They got the present ready for Joseph, because they heard that they were to eat with him.  The present was not what was going to save them, but Joseph's love and mercy were.  They had come to him on his terms.  When we come to God, no amount of presents will save us, but God's love and mercy will.  We must come to God on His terms, which is through the cross of Jesus.  Verse twenty-six says, 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.  Joseph's brothers gave him the present and bowed all the way to the ground.  They may have laughed when Joseph told them his dreams years before, but since the dreams were revelations from God, they were now seeing them fulfilled.  People today may laugh at God's word, but no matter how many years pass, it will come true.  Verse twenty-seven states, And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?  Joseph asked how they were doing, and then he asked if their father was still alive.  Like Joseph, God is always concerned with the welfare of His people.  Verse twenty-eight says, And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.  They told Joseph that their father, his servant, was alive and in good health.  Still, at this time their father was in need materially.  We may be doing well in life materially, but if we do not know God in a personal relationship through faith in Christ, we will be suffering spiritually.  Verse twenty-nine adds, 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.  Joseph saw Benjamin, his mother's other son, and asked if Benjamin was their younger brother.  Joseph may have wanted to see if they felt about Benjamin as they had felt about him all those years ago.  When we do come to God, we must have a change in attitude towards the world and the people around us.  Verse thirty declares, 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.  Joseph was overcome with emotion and sought a place to weep where his brothers wouldn't see him.  These were tears of joy.  Verse thirty-one adds, And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.  After Joseph got his emotions under control and washed his face, he went back out and called for the bread, or meal, to be set.  I believe that God waits to share the Bread of Life with those who come to Him today through faith in Christ as Savior and Lord, and that He weeps tears of joy when this happens.  Verse thirty-two states, 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.  The Egyptians ate separately from Joseph's brothers, because the Egyptians felt that it was an abomination to eat with the Hebrews.  There are still many people who look down on and don't want to be associated with those who are Christians today.  Verse thirty-three adds, 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.  Joseph sat his brothers according to their age, from the oldest to the youngest.  Joseph's brothers marvelled at this.  We should never marvel that God knows everything about every person in the world today.  Verse thirty-four states, And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.  They were all given food, but Benjamin was given five times as much as the others.  I believe this was done to see if the other brothers would be jealous of Benjamin because of this.  When God blesses someone materially more than He seems to bless us, we cannot act out of jealousy toward them.  Even if Benjamin had five times as much, they all had plenty to meet their needs, and God will always provide enough to meet our needs today.  We cannot confuse material things with God's blessings, but must simply be satisfied with what He does provide for us.

Genesis 43:16 says, 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.  Joseph's reaction when he saw Benjamin with his other brothers was not that of a vindictive man.  He basically told the one in charge of his house to prepare a feast and bring these men, his brothers, to share it with him.  Like Joseph with his brothers coming to him, as followers of Christ, even if someone has harmed us, we should rejoice if they come to Christ, thereby becoming our brother's and sisters in Christ.  Verse seventeen states, And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.  This was also not the welcome Joseph's brothers had anticipated.  They were simply hoping to get some corn, get Simeon, and get out alive.  We should never be surprised when God blesses us with more than we are expecting.  Verse eighteen adds, 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.  The brothers thought they were being brought to Joseph because of the money that had been found in their sacks and they were afraid Joseph was going to make them slaves.  When we come to Christ, even though we are guilty of sin, He does not wait to enslave and punish us, but to set us free from the penalty of sin, so we should never have a reason to fear God after we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse nineteen declares, And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,  The brothers first talked with the steward of Joseph's house, but he really wouldn't have been be able to tell them why they were there.  Joseph was the only one who could calm their fears.  When someone comes to us to ask about salvation, we may be able to point them to Christ, but ultimately that person must go to Christ personally in order to be saved.  Verse twenty adds, And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:  The brothers began to state their case, evidently now speaking to Joseph.  We may proclaim our innocence to everyone in the world, but it is God that we have to speak to, and when we do, though we may not be guilty of one particular thing, we are still guilty of sin in our life.  Joseph's brothers may not have been guilty of what they were worried about, but they were guilty of so much worse.  Verse twenty-one continues, 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.  The brothers said that when they were returned home and opened their sacks that they found the money, and they returned it.  Of course, this was only after they ran out of corn again.  They should already have been back.  We may often live in fear simply because we refuse to seek God's guidance until the last resort.  Had Joseph's brothers returned as they were supposed to, they could have saved themselves a lot of worry.  Verse twenty-two concludes, And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.  The brothers said they were bringing back the original money and money to buy more, but that they didn't know how the money got in their sacks to start with.  Of course, we cannot proclaim ourselves innocent before God, because we have to acknowledge all sin in our lives and not just particular ones that we may not be guilty of.  We also have to acknowledge that we cannot buy God's forgiveness as the brothers were attempting to buy Joseph's forgiveness.  Verse twenty-three states, 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.  Joseph told his brothers not to worry and that their God and the God of their father was behind their money being returned.  As followers of Christ, we should never have to have someone else point out that God is with us, no matter how bad the situation we are in may be.  During this whole ordeal, we do not see the brothers, nor their father, asking God for guidance.  Our first action in any situation should be to seek God's guidance.

Genesis 42:29 says, And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying,  The brothers didn't return to Joseph, but went on home to their father.  I believe that it is safe to say that when we find ourselves in a bad situation, even one not of our own making, we as followers of Christ should first go to our Heavenly Father and tell Him what has happened.  There is really no good in going back to where the problem occurred until we have talked to God.  Verse thirty states, The man, who is the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country.  The brothers who were there told Jacob of their encounter with the man in Egypt.  They told Jacob that the man spoke roughly to them and treated them as spies.  They were innocent in this case, but it did not excuse their earlier sinful actions against Joseph.  We may sometimes be falsely accused, but we have to acknowledge that we have been guilty of sin and may be again in the future.  That is why it is only by the grace of God that we can be forgiven.  Verse thirty-one adds, And we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies:  The brothers proclaimed themselves to be true men, but much of their lives had been lived with a lie.  Still, they were not spies, so this much was true.  Even if we are not guilty of something that we are accused of, we are still but sinners saved by grace if we have accepted Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse thirty-two continues, We be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.  Again, this was true as far as they knew.  As far as the brothers were concerned, whether he was alive or dead, Joseph no longer existed to them.  Verse thirty-three still continues, And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone:  They told Jacob that the man had told them how he was going to prove that they were truthful.  They were to leave one of the brothers behind until they returned.  Verse thirty-four goes on stating, And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land.  The brothers said that they were to bring their younger brother back to prove they weren't spies and their brother would be set free and they would be allowed to traffic in Egypt.  Fortunately, God does not demand that we leave something with Him before He sets us free from sin.  Verse thirty-five concludes, And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack: and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.  When the brothers emptied their sacks, they found that everyone had their money returned, and the brothers and Jacob were afraid.  The man, Joseph, had already accused them of being spies, and now the evidence pointed to them being thieves as well.  They had a right to be afraid, but we are not told that they took their concerns to God.  Any time we find ourselves in a bad situation, even one not of our making, as followers of Christ, our first action should be to go to God in prayer.  Verse forty states, And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.  Jacob was still putting the welfare of Benjamin ahead of the welfare of Simeon and the other brothers.  We must be concerned with the welfare of all our brother's and sisters in Christ, and never put one above another.  Jacob also put the blame for Simeon's situation on his other sons, even though he had sent them to Egypt and they had no control over the situation.  Verse thirty-seven declares, And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.  Reuben pledged the life of his two sons if he took Benjamin to Egypt and didn't return with him.  What would we be willing to give up to save another person from the bondage of sin?  Verse thirty-eight proclaims, And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.  Jacob was still playing favorites.  Evidently, the death of Simeon would not have caused him to sorrow to death, but the death of Benjamin would.  I will state once more that we cannot be like Jacob and play favorites with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  One is just as valuable as the other in the sight of our Heavenly Father.

Genesis 42:21says, And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.  Joseph's brothers were not talking about what was happening at that time, but they were remembering when they sold Joseph into slavery.  They acknowledged their guilt and their lack of compassion for Joseph.  If we are guilty of sin, we may hide the fact from the world, but we can never hide it from our self.  Verse twenty-two states, And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.  Reuben reminded his brothers that he had asked them not to sin against the child and they wouldn't listen.  Still, Reuben could not exonerate himself, because he went along with them, even if his plan was to rescue Joseph later.  We cannot excuse ourselves if we go along with sinful actions, even if we really believe that they are wrong.  Of course, I believe that even if we act in a sinful way toward other people that we sin against God.  Verse twenty-three declares, And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.  His brothers did not know that Joseph understood them, since he spoke to them through an interpreter.  They truly did not recognize Joseph, but thought that he was simply an Egyptian in power over them.  The brothers thought that what they were discussing was not known to Joseph, and we may think that we have hidden our sins today, but like Joseph with his brothers, God will always know our sins, whether we confess them to Him or not.  Verse twenty-four adds, And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.  Joseph was not enjoying his position of power and wanting to see his brothers suffer.  He turned away from them and wept.  I don't believe that this was because of pity for himself, but because Joseph felt compassion for them.  I don't believe that God ever takes joy in our suffering from our sins, unconfessed or otherwise, but that He weeps over our refusal to come to Him and ask forgiveness.  Joseph had them leave Simeon behind.  Verse twenty-five declares, Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man’s money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.  Joseph had his brother's sacks filled with grain, and put their money in as well.  Joseph was not doing this so he could falsely accuse them of cheating him, but he was doing it to test their character.  The question was since they had the corn and the money, would they return for Simeon or abandon him as they had Joseph.  We can be certain that God will never attempt to trap us into sin, but He may allow our faith in Him to be tested.  Verse twenty-six says, And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence.  Having agreed to leave Simeon behind as a promise that they would return, the other brothers left.  As followers of Christ, we have gotten out of a bad situation in God's eyes, but others are still left behind in sin.  The question is how concerned are we for them.  The brothers could have felt that sacrificing one was acceptable, since they got what they came for.  We cannot believe that leaving other people lost is acceptable as long as we are saved ourselves.  Verse twenty-seven states, And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack’s mouth.  When the brothers stopped to feed the animals, one of them opened his sack and found the money.  Verse twenty-eight adds, And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?  When he told his brothers that the money was in his sack, they were afraid.  Their first reaction was to accuse God of causing their problem.  We may also be quick to blame God with our problems, but we should instead look to God for help in understanding the situation.  Whether they knew it or not, it was the unconfessed sin of the brothers that was causing their problem.  We will never come out ahead through sin, even if it may seem so at the time.

Genesis 42:9 says,  And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.  Joseph remembered his dreams about his brothers when he recognized them and they did not recognize him.  Joseph then accused them of being spies sent to see if Egypt was suffering from the draught as other nations were.  I personally don't believe that Joseph did this as a way to make the dream come true, since God would be the One Who would cause the dream to be fulfilled if it was really a revelation from God.  We cannot force God's revelations to happen, but I believe that we sometimes try to, especially in relationship to the second coming of Christ.  Verse ten states, And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come. His brothers said that they weren't spies, but had only come to buy bread.  Of course, they weren't noted for speaking and dealing honestly with Joseph.  If someone has dealt dishonestly with us in the past, we may question their honesty when we deal with them again.  Verse eleven adds, We are all one man’s sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.  Joseph's brothers told a partial truth.  They were the sons of one man, but Joseph knew this.  It was the second part, that the were true, or truthful, men that was not entirely correct as far as Joseph was concerned.  Verse twelve declares, And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.  Joseph again accused them of being spies.  I don't believe that Joseph was doing this simply to enjoy his position of power over them, and we cannot treat the lost of the world today as if we are better than them simply because of our position in the world, or really even because of our relationship to Christ.  We are all simply sinners saved by grace.  Verse fifteen says, And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.  The brothers told Joseph what they thought was the truth.  Though they did not know if Joseph was dead, which he obviously wasn't, as far as they were concerned, he no longer existed.  Verse fourteen states, And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies:  Then verse fifteen adds, Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.  Joseph said that in order to prove that they weren't spies, they had to bring their younger brother there.  I believe that the fact that Benjamin wasn't there showed that he was being treated as special by Jacob, and this was Joseph's way to see if his brothers would treat Benjamin as they had treated him.  Verse sixteen continues, Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.  Joseph proposed sending one of the brothers to bring Benjamin back while the others remained in prison there.  Again, I believe that this was to test the character of the brothers and not simply so Joseph could show his power over them.  When someone professes to accept Christ as their Savior, if they have harmed us in the past we may question their sincerity.  Still, we can never hold their past against them, even if we feel the need to check the sincerity of their declaration of faith, but I don't believe that we should continually look for ways to disprove their faith.  Verse seventeen states, And he put them all together into ward three days.  Then verse eighteen adds, And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:  Joseph gave them three days together before he spoke to them again.  This would have given them time to plan how to deal with the situation.  Joseph then told them what they needed to do, and he said that this was because he feared God.  As followers of Christ, when we deal with other people, it must be with a fear, or awesome respect, for God.  I don't believe that fear of God means that we believe that He is just waiting to crush us at any moment.  Verse nineteen adds, If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:  Joseph said that they could leave one brother bound, or imprisoned there while the others took corn for their families.  This was basically a test to see if they would value the one brother enough to return.  Verse twenty concludes, But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.  Joseph said that if they did this and brought their youngest brother back that it would prove that they were telling the truth.  Though we cannot demand a test of some else's faith, I believe that when we come to Christ in faith that we cannot attempt to hold back anything that we feel is too valuable to us to surrender to God.

Genesis 43:1 says, And the famine was sore in the land.  Jacob's sons came back with some corn, but it wasn't enough to last through the whole draught.  Verse two states, 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.  After the corn was gone, Jacob ordered his sons to go to Egypt again and buy more.  They had already been accused of being spies and hadn't returned to get Simeon out of confinement.  Jacob evidently wasn't very concerned about their safety.  As followers of Christ, we cannot put others at risk to meet our own needs, especially if we have refused to deal with the problem ourself.  Jacob could have sent his sons back with Benjamin and have avoided this problem.  Verse three declares, 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.  Judah spoke up, saying that the man had already said he wouldn't see them if Benjamin wasn't with them.  Sometimes even if we know the facts, we may need someone to remind us of them especially if the facts are not what we want to accept.  Verse four adds, If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:  Then verse five concludes, 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.  Judah told his father, called Israel again now, that if Benjamin didn't go, the rest of them weren't going.  I believe that we should never favor one child or other Christian over another, especially if doing so puts others in danger.  Verse six declares, And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?  Israel accused his sons of treating him unfairly by telling the man, Joseph, that they had another brother.  What he didn't realize was that Joseph already knew this and lying to him would have definitely caused problems.  We likewise cannot lie to others simply because it would seem better to us, and we certainly cannot afford to attempt to lie to God.  Israel was basically saying that they should have lied to protect Benjamin.  Verse seven states, 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?  The brothers said that the way that the man asked them the question lead them to believe that they had better tell the truth.  They also said that they had no reason to believe that the man would ask them to return with Benjamin.  Hopefully, we will never have to apologize to anyone for telling the truth, especially to someone who is supposed to believe in God, as Israel was supposed to.  Verse eight adds, 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.  Judah was the spokesman again, and he said send Benjamin with him, and they wouldn't die, as they all would without food, even the small children.  Verse nine continues, 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:  Judah offered to take the blame forever if he didn't return with Benjamin.  We really cannot offer ourselves for the redemption of others, but we should be willing to do all that we can to bring others to salvation through Christ.  Without coming to this saving grace of God, they will starve spiritually just as Israel and his family were starving physically.  Verse ten concludes, For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.  Judah said had they not lingered they would have already returned to Egypt.  People today too often linger when they could have already accepted salvation.  Verse eleven says, 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:  Israel said if they had to do this, then do it.  He also said they should take gifts, which were food items, which is rather strange due to the famine.  Verse twelve adds, 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:  Israel also said that they should take double the money in case having their money returned the first time was a mistake.  We cannot buy salvation, no matter how much we may offer God, but like with these brothers our attitude is what is important.  Verse thirteen continues, Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:  Israel finally told them to take Benjamin and go.  Think of all the trouble Israel could have avoided if they had simply done what they had promised to do to start with.  When we make a promise to God, as they did to Joseph, we are much better off to simply fulfill the promise instead of attempting to find a way out of it.  Verse fourteen concludes, 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.  Israel, a man that God had promised so much to, now remembers to rely on God.  This should have been his first action, as it should be ours in times of trouble and even at all times.  Verse fifteen declares,  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.  The brothers took the money, gifts and Benjamin and returned to Egypt.  They may have had concerns about how they would be received, but they went.  We never have to have any concerns when we go to, or even return to Christ.  He will always welcome us with open arms and love.

Genesis 42:1 says, Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?  Jacob and his family were suffering in the famine, but Jacob had heard there was corn in Egypt.  Evidently Jacob's sons still lived close to him and were just standing around in despair, and Jacob asked them why.  When things go badly, God does not expect those who follow Him to simply stand around and complain or despair, even if we are where He has called us.  Jacob was where God had led him, and even if he had faith that God would provide, it did not mean that Jacob was not to be actively involved in the process of God providing for him.  Verse two states,  And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.  Jacob told his sons that he had heard that there was corn in Egypt, so they needed to quit standing around and go to Egypt and buy corn.  Money was not the problem.  The lack of food was.  All the wealth in the world will not help us if we have nothing to eat.  The lost of the world today are spiritually starving, and the bread of life, Jesus Christ, is freely available to any who will come to Him.  There is no charge for this bread, and no amount of money will buy salvation any other way than through the cross of Christ.  People can either stand around in despair when they hear the gospel, or they can come to Christ.  The gospel will never be forced on anyone, but all must come willing to Christ.  Verse three declares, And Joseph’s ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.  Ten of Jacob's sons went to Egypt, but not all.  Verse four adds, But Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.  Benjamin was left behind.  Jacob said this was done so that nothing bad would happen to Benjamin.  It seems that Jacob was still playing favorites, since he didn't seem concerned about something bad happening to his other sons.  As discussed before, we cannot play favorites with people, especially our children.  We should have the same love and concern for all of them.  Verse five says, And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.  The brothers went with others from Canaan to buy grain.  We cannot claim some special status when we come to the cross for salvation.  Just like Jacob's sons in Egypt, who were the children of the promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who came to Egypt as everyone else did, even if we are from a Christian family, we still come to the cross as anyone else does.  Verse six declares, And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.  Joseph had correctly interpreted the dreams of others by the power of God, and now his personal dream of so many years before was being fulfilled.  We can be certain that God's promise of everlasting life will come true, no matter how bad things may become in this world.  Verse seven adds, And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.  Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.  I believe that this was in part because Joseph had aged and in part because the brothers never expected to see Joseph in a position of power or authority.  They had sold Joseph into slavery, never expecting to see him again.  Verse eight concludes, And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.  As just discussed, Joseph's brothers did not know him.  Until we come to Christ in a personal relationship, He will know us, but we will not recognize Him.  Everyone comes to Christ as a stranger to Him.  Just hearing about salvation without coming to that personal relationship with Christ leaves us standing around in despair like the brothers were until they went to Egypt where the corn was.  Again, God does not force salvation on anyone, but He makes it freely available to all who will come to Jesus in faith.

Genesis 41:46 says, And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.  Joseph was now thirty years old.  A lot had happened to him during those thirty years, but he was now in a position of authority once more.  He might have been tempted to use the position in a self serving way and have felt justified by doing so, but we know he didn't.  When we become a follower of Christ, we like Joseph, are set free, but it is freedom from slavery to the power of sin.  We are set free to serve God and not for self gratification.  Verse forty-seven states, And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.  The interpretation of Pharaoh's dream was coming true.  There were seven years of much better than normal crops.  Verse forty-eight adds, And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.  Joseph had the crops gathered, but he knew that the seven years of good would come to an end, so he stored up for the coming bad years.  I believe that too often people, even followers of Christ, feel that when things are going well materially that they are always only going to get better, so they spend everything they have and more on themselves.  I do not believe that this is what God wants.  I believe that we are to use what God blesses us with for His glory.  Verse forty-nine continues, And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.  The crops were vast during this time as stated above, just as God had promised in the dream.  A sure way to know if a dream is God speaking to us is if it comes true.  Verse fifty says, And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.  Joseph had two sons during this time.  Life was definitely better for Joseph, and he could have forgotten about God during this time, but he didn't.  Sometimes during times of prosperity, we as followers of Christ may be tempted to forget about God and simply feel that we deserve all that we can get, but I believe that God expects us to remember that He is the reason for our prosperity.  Verse fifty-one adds, And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.  As stated before, names meant something, and the name of Joseph's first son, Manasseh meant that God had caused Joseph to forget all his toil and his father's house.  When we become a follower of Christ, we must forget all that happened before then as far as allowing it to influence our attitude about life and other people, even those who may have done us wrong.  Verse fifty-two continues, And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.  The second son was named Ephraim, meaning God had made Joseph fruitful in his affliction.  As Christians, we are set free from the affliction of sin and are caused to prosper spiritually.  Verse fifty-three declares, And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.  As Joseph had said when interpreting Pharaoh's dream, the seven years of plenty came to an end.  This was not a surprise to Joseph, and if we are following God's will, we should not be surprised if bad things happen to us while we are enjoying the blessings of God.  We have already been warned to expect this, but too often we want to blame God.  I believe that we are often more ready to blame God for bad things than to praise Him for the good things.  Verse fifty-four adds, And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.  The bad years came, and the rest of the world was suffering, but in Egypt there was bread.  I believe that we can say that while the rest of the world is suffering in a spiritual draught, that we as followers of Christ have the Bread of Life to share with them.  Verse fifty-five declares, And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.  The people of Egypt were not immune to the effects of the draught.  They cried out to Pharoah and he told them to go to Joseph and do what he told them to do.  I believe that it is safe to make the analogy that when people are spiritually starving and call out to God that He will tell them to go to Jesus and do what He directs them to do.  If they come to us, the followers of Christ, we must likewise point them to Him.  Verse fifty-six adds, And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.  Joseph sold the grain to the Egyptians.  Verse fifty-seven concludes, And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.  Joseph did not limit the sale of food to the Egyptians, but sold to all in need.  Though we cannot buy salvation, as it is a free gift from God, neither can we attempt to limit it to just certain people.  Salvation is available to all who will come to Christ and accept His gift.

Genesis 41:33 says, Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.  After interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, Joseph advised him to appoint a wise and discreet man in charge of all the land of Egypt.  Joseph had no reason to believe that Pharaoh would believe him, and he might have even risked angering Pharaoh by offering him advice.  If we believe that God has given us advice that will help others, we must not allow fear or even indifference to keep us from sharing it with them.  Verse thirty-four states, Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.  Joseph expands on what he thinks Pharaoh should do.  Joseph said Pharaoh should appoint officers over the land and set aside a fifth of the crops in the good years.  Verse thirty-five adds, And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.  Joseph said that Pharaoh could still feed the people well on the rest of the crops.  I believe that God expects us to set aside something in the good years to help us through the bad ones, but we should also acknowledge that He will meet our needs.  I don't believe that God ever expects us to be wasteful though.  Verse thirty-six says, And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.  Joseph said that the food stored during the seven good years would be enough to see Egypt through the seven bad years.  As followers of Christ, we are not to worry about having our needs met daily, because God promises us He will meet them.  Still, God may meet our needs in time of adversity by our using His provisions wisely in times of prosperity.  Verse thirty-seven declares, And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.  The plan sounded good to Pharaoh and his servants.  This really was not Joseph's plan, but God's plan shared with Pharaoh through Joseph.  As followers of Christ, we can only share God's plan with others, starting with His plan of salvation.  We have no plans that will work ultimately except the plans that God reveals to us.  Verse thirty-eight asks, And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?  Pharaoh asked where could they find another man such as Joseph, in whom was the Spirit of God.  Hopefully, when people see us as Christians today they will see the Spirit of God in us by the way we act.  Verse thirty-nine states, And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:  Pharaoh said that since God had shown Joseph this, that Joseph was the best man for the job.  Pharaoh had to believe that God was really speaking to Joseph.  Verse forty adds,  Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.   Pharaoh said that Joseph would be over everyone except for Pharaoh himself.  Joseph was once again saved from suffering and placed in a position of power, because the time was now right in God's plan.  We may have to suffer in this life, but ultimately we will be delivered if we put our faith in Christ, but it will be when God says this time is right.  Verse forty-one states, And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.  Then verse forty-two adds, And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;   Pharaoh telling Joseph that he was in charge might not have been enough to make others believe him, but Pharaoh gave Joseph things that would prove his authority.  Verse forty-three says, And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.  It may not have been his brothers but knees were now indeed bowing down to Joseph, but I don't believe that he took any pride in it.  Verse forty-four adds, And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.  Basically, Pharaoh said that he was putting Joseph in total control.  Fortunately for Pharaoh Joseph was not out to claim power for himself.  If we are given authority to act on behalf of someone else today, we must not abuse our position.  Verse forty states, And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.  Joseph was given an Egyptian name and the daughter of an Egyptian priest as a wife.  Joseph was becoming more and more identified with the Egyptians than with the Israelites.  I personally do not believe that this was God's plan but that God still worked through Joseph's life in spite of the circumstances.

Genesis 41:15 says, And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.  When Pharaoh called Joseph out of prison, he told Joseph why.  Pharaoh told Joseph that he had a dream and had heard Joseph could interpret it.  Verse sixteen declares, And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.  Joseph could have seen this as an opportunity to get out of prison and just put all the emphasis on himself, but he didn't.  Joseph said it wasn't him, but God that could give Pharaoh an answer of peace.  When we are asked to help people today, as followers of Christ we must make sure that people understand that God is the One at work through us and never seek self glorification.  In the next few verses, Pharaoh simply repeats his dream to Joseph.  Verse seventeen states,And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:  Verse eighteen adds, And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:  This was the dream of the cattle.  Verse nineteen continues, And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:  Verse twenty goes on, And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:  Then verse twenty-one concludes, And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.  This was Pharaoh's first dream, and now he would tell Joseph his second dream.  Verse twenty-two says, And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:  This was the dream of the corn, which Pharaoh saw as a continuation of the first dream evidently, though he had been awake in between the two.  Verse twenty-three adds, And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:  Verse twenty-four concludes, And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.  After finishing telling Joseph his dreams, Pharaoh also told him that none of his magicians could tell him what the dreams meant.  People today may look for answers to questions in life, but the Only One Who can give them real answers is God.  As Christians, we must point them to God if they come to us with questions.  Verse twenty-five declares, And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.  Joseph told Pharaoh that God was speaking to him through the dream and was using it to reveal what was to happen.  As followers of Christ, we can share with people the good news of what will be the ultimate outcome of all life, and that is victory over sin and death through our faith in Christ.  Verse twenty-six states, The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. Then verse twenty-seven adds, And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.  Joseph said that the seven cattle and the seven ears both represented years.  The first seven in both cases would be seven years of prosperity and the second seven would be years of famine.  Though we may not have a specific warning from God, we need to realize that there will be times when life goes very well, but there will also be times when we may be in need in this world.  We simply have to keep our faith in God in either case.  Verse twenty-eight declares, This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.  Joseph said that God had shown Pharaoh what was about to happen, and it was up to Pharaoh to believe it or not.  God has shown us today what is ultimately going to happen in the world, the coming judgment, and it is up to each individual whether to believe it or not.  As followers of Christ, we can simply share the gospel with them.  Verse twenty-nine adds, Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: Then verse thirty adds, And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;  Verse thirty-one continues, And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.  Then verse thirty-one concludes, And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.  Joseph said the dream meant that there would be seven good years in Egypt, followed by seven very bad years, and that God had Pharaoh dream basically the same thing twice to emphasize that this was going to happen.  It was now up to Pharaoh whether he believed it or not.  With the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, God has already revealed to the world what the ultimate outcome of life will be.  We can either accept salvation by faith in Christ, or we can continue to live in spiritual poverty.  Our relationship to God is what will always make the difference, no matter what happens in life.

Genesis 41:1 says, And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.  Two years after the chief butler was restored to his position, Pharaoh had a dream.  Joseph may have given up on his dream of being heard by this time.  Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by a river.  Then verse two adds, And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.  So far, this would seem to be a good dream and nothing to be concerned about.  Verse three continues, And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river.  The dream now might be considered a little more omnibus, but still nothing really disturbing.  Then verse four concludes, And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.  The ill favored and weak cattle ate the well favored and fat cattle, and then Pharaoh awoke.  The dream bothered Pharaoh enough to wake him up.  Pharaoh believed that the dream meant something, and it bothered him.  If our dreams wake us up and disturb us, that does not mean that God is trying to tell us something, nor does it mean that He isn't.  I personally don't believe that God has ever spoken to me through a dream, but that doesn't mean that He hasn't to someone else.  Verse five says, And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.  When Pharaoh was asleep again, he had another dream.  This time, there were seven good ears of corn on one stalk.  Verse six adds,  And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.  As with the cattle, after what started as a good dream now turned a little worse.  Verse seven concludes, And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.  Once more, the bad devoured the good, and the dream awoke Pharaoh.  Verse eight declares, And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.  The dreams disturbed Pharaoh enough that the next morning he called all the magicians and wise men of Egypt and told them his dreams.  They could not tell Pharaoh what these dreams meant.  He was looking in the wrong place for answers.  If God is speaking to us through dreams today, we cannot expect people of the world those who do not know God, to tell us what the dreams mean.  Today, some people who call themselves followers of Christ still look to horoscopes and fortune tellers to tell them the future, but they never will.  If we have concerns about the future, we need to look to God for answers.  Verse nine states, Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:  The chief butler now remembered Joseph, and at least acknowledged his fault in not speaking to Pharaoh earlier on Joseph's behalf.  Too often if we help others, once they have what they want they will forget us and any promise they may have made to us.  Unfortunately, people are sometimes the same way with God, promising obedience and then forgetting all about God when they get what they want.  Verse ten adds, Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard’s house, both me and the chief baker:  Verse eleven continues, And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.  Verse twelve goes on, And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.  Then verse thirteen concludes, And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.  The chief butler told Pharaoh about the dreams that the chief baker and he had, and that Joseph had interpreted them correctly.  Hopefully, if we have shared the gospel with someone they will eventually realize the truth of the gospel, even if it is at a much later date.  I know it was not the gospel that Joseph had shared, but he had given God the credit for his being able to interpret the dreams, and if we help someone today we must point them to God as the reason that we are willing and able to help them.  Verse fourteen declares, Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.  Joseph was finally brought out of the dungeon by Pharaoh's order, and was allowed to clean up before he went to Pharaoh.  This may have been more for Pharaoh's benefit than for Joseph's.  God is much more powerful than Pharaoh was, and if we go into God's presence, we should clean ourselves up spiritually.  Since the Holy Spirit is with us always, this means that we should always attempt to be clean spiritually.

Genesis 40:16 says,When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head:  The chief baker saw that Joseph had given the chief butler a good interpretation of his dream and was quick to share his dream with Joseph.  When someone else gets good news, even if it is yet to be proven, others often want to be able to benefit from it.  The chief baker may have thought since Joseph gave the chief butler good news, then he surely would give him good news also.  The first part of the chief bakers dream was that he had three white baskets on his head.  There was certainly nothing scary about that.  Verse seventeen adds,  And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.  The dream might be getting a little more ominous now, since the birds had eaten the bake goods of the Pharaoh, though this still couldn't be directly blamed on the chief baker.  Still, he would have been guilty of not protecting them better.  We still don't know why the chief baker had ended up in prison, but it is possible that he had been negligent in his work and this was revealed in his dream, though I cannot say that for a certainty.  Verse eighteen declares, And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:  As with the chief butler, Joseph told the chief baker that the dream would be answered within three days.  Since the interpretation started the same way, the chief baker may have been feeling even better now, but that didn't last long.  I believe that we can say that when someone else receives the good news of the gospel today that it does not mean that someone else will also be saved.  Of course, God does not arbitrarily save one person and condemn another, so we cannot carry the analogy to far concerning these two.  Verse nineteen adds, Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.  This was certainly not what the chief baker wanted to hear.  Of course, none of this had happened yet, so he may have thought that Joseph was just trying to scare him.  I do believe that we can say that those who have receive the good news or Christ will be saved, and those who reject it will go away to everlasting punishment.  Many may believe that if the gospel is true that somehow they will be included in salvation without really believing it themselves, but this is not the case.  Verse twenty states, And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.  In three days, the Pharaoh's birthday, he brought the chief butler and the chief baker out of prison.  The three days was in accordance with Joseph's interpretation, so the chief butler had to be hopeful and the chief baker had to be filled with dread.  Verse twenty-one adds, And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand:  The chief butler was restored, just a Joseph had said he would be.  The chief baker had to really be filled with fear now.  Verse twenty-two concludes, But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.  The chief baker was hanged, just as Joseph said he would be.  Of course, we cannot equate the Pharaoh with God, since the Pharaoh's actions seemed to be arbitrary, but we can say that if we are saved, it is because of God's mercy and our acceptance of the gospel.  Verse twenty-three states, Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.  Though Joseph had asked only one thing of the chief butler, and that was that he speak to the Pharaoh for Joseph, the chief butler immediately forgot his promise.  When we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, we cannot forget the lost people around us.  We need to be in prayer for them, lifting them up to God.

Genesis 40;9 says, And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me;  The chief butler was the first to tell Joseph his dream.  He had to either believe that God would reveal the interpretation to Joseph or that he had nothing to lose by sharing the dream with Joseph.  Sometimes, people may come to us because they want to believe that as Christians we have a special relationship with God and He can help us, and at times they may come to us simply because they figure they have nothing to lose.  In either case, we need to look to God for the right way to help them and make sure that He receives the honor and glory if He gives us the answer to their problem.  Verse ten states, And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:  The butler said that he dreamed of a vine with three branches that budded, blossomed, and brought forth clusters of ripe grapes.  Though the chief butler might have thought that it was a nice dream, he believed that it had some deeper meaning.  I believe that if God does speak to us, whether through a dream or some other method, that He will make us aware that He is behind the dream or whatever method He uses to speak to us.  Not every dream is a message from God, but if it is, I believe that we will know that it is.  Verse eleven adds, And Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.  In his dream, the chief butler was once again serving Pharaoh, this time with the juice from the grapes.  Again, he could have dismissed this dream as simply wishful thinking on his part.  We must never be too quick to dismiss our hopes and dreams as wishful thinking, but should always look to see if God is behind them.  We may sometimes need to look to fellow believers to help us be certain that it is God speaking to us.  Verse twelve declares, And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:  Joseph began to give the interpretation of the dream to the chief butler.  Joseph had already said that the interpretation would come from God.  He said that the three branches represented three days.  Joseph did not say that some day what he was going to say would happen, but set a very specific time table for this to happen.  Verse thirteen adds, Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.  Joseph gave the chief butler good news.  Within three days, he would be restored by the Pharaoh to his former position.  Since the Pharaoh put the chief butler there simply because he was angry with him, the Pharaoh could release the chief butler simply because he chose to.  Fortunately, when we share the gospel with others, if they accept it and are set free from sin, it is not because of an arbitrary action of God.  If we accept Christ in faith, we will be restored to God forever.  Even though the chief butler was to be restored, he was still subject to Pharaoh changing his mind again.  Fortunately, as followers of Christ, once we accept Christ as Savior and Lord, we are forever forgiven.  Verse fourteen states, But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:  Joseph did not say if the butler was restored, but when he was.  We must put our faith in the promises of God, which Joseph believed this to be, no matter if they are fulfilled quickly or at a much later time.  Joseph only asked one thing, and that was for the butler to speak to Pharaoh on his behalf.  Joseph did not demand any material compensation, and neither can we when we share the gospel with others.  Verse fifteen adds, For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.  I don't believe that Joseph said this to gain pity, but that he was simply stating the facts of his situation.  Joseph was falsely condemned, but he still had faith that God would deliver him from the prison.  Even if we were to be falsely imprisoned, we must have faith that God will deliver us, if not in this world, then in the one to come.

Genesis 40:1 says, And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt.  Two of the kings servants offended him, his butler and his baker.  The king had complete authority over them, so it wasn't good to offend him.  The king was not at all concerned with what was best for them, but only with what pleased him.  Although God has control over the universe, He never acts out of anger when we as followers of Christ, His servants, don't please Him, but acts out of love.  Of course God reaches out to everyone with His love, but those who refuse to accept Christ and their Savior and Lord will one day feel His wrath, but that will not be based on an arbitrary act of displeasure.  Verse two states, And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.  Verse three adds, And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.  The king, or Pharaoh was very angry at these two, though we are not told what they did, so he threw them in prison.  Fortunately for us, when we make God angry, He still wants to set us free from our sins and restore us to Him.  The choice of suffering punishment for our sins is always ours, because of God's graceful gift of salvation.  Verse four declares, And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.  These two servants were placed under Joseph's authority.  They were there for a season, at least a few months.  We are not told what they were doing during this time, but I am sure that it was quite a step down from their position in the Pharaoh's household.  If we are imprisoned by sin, no matter what we may be doing, even if we are very successful in the world, it is a step down from what we would be if we were serving God faithfully.  Verse five adds, And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.  The butler and the baker both had a dream the same night.  Dreams at that time were viewed as more than just some random thoughts of the mind and were often treated as views of the future.  Some people today view them the same way.  Even though God can speak to us through dreams, not all dreams are God speaking to us.  I believe that God will let us know without a doubt when He is speaking to us.  Verse six states, And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.  Joseph knew them enough to know that they were sad for some reason the next morning.  Joseph could have just viewed them as two prisoners under his authority without having any real concern for them, but evidently he went beyond that and really got to know them.  We need to have that same caring attitude about the people around us today.  Verse seven adds, And he asked Pharaoh’s officers that were with him in the ward of his lord’s house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day?  Joseph didn't just note the fact that they were sad, but asked them why they were.  The easiest thing for Joseph to do would have been to simply tell them to go to work, but he had a real concern for them.  I wonder how often we overlook those in need because it is simpler to just go about everyday life without getting involved.  As followers of Christ, we should have compassion for those around us and be willing to reach out to them with compassion when we see them in need, even if it is a lot easier to just ignore them.  Verse eight states, And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.  They told Joseph that they had both dreamed a dream and had no interpreter.  Joseph asked them if interpretations did not belong to God.  Joseph did not say that he could give them the answer, but that God could.  We cannot put the emphasis on ourselves when people come to us with problems, but should always give God the credit if we are able to help them.

Genesis 39:19 says, And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.  Potipher heard what his wife said and he was very angry at Joseph.  Evidently, Potipher had no reason to doubt his wife, and therefore he would have certainly felt betrayed by Joseph.  She seemed to have proof of her accusations as well.  I don't believe we can blame Potipher for feeling as he did, but he might have asked himself if Joseph were really the type person who would do such thing, but sometimes people's public image will fool us.  Also, we need to realize that people seldom make the best decisions when they are very angry.  Verse twenty states, And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.  Potipher put Joseph in the king's prison.  Potipher was in a position where he could have just executed Joseph.  As a slave, Joseph had very few rights, and he had been accused of a very bad thing, so in some respects Potipher was being merciful to Joseph.  I am not sure that Joseph really saw it that way through.  Once again, through no fault of his own, Joseph found himself in a seemingly hopeless situation.  I believe that he would have really been questioning his dreams by now.  Joseph had to have felt especially bad since he ended up in prison because he was doing the right thing in the situation.  If anyone had a right to be bitter, it was Joseph.  If we find ourselves in a situation where we are tempted to sin, even if it would bring us pleasure that we might justify, we must stand firm for God.  If we are falsely accused and punished, we must never become bitter and waiver in our faith.  Verse twenty-one declares, But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.  When his brothers threw Joseph in the pit and sold him into slavery, God was with him.  When Joseph was in Potipher's house, God was with him.  Now, in prison, God was with him.  What we need to realize above everything else is that, as followers of Christ, wherever we are, no matter if our situation is good or bad, God is with us.  God showed mercy to Joseph and Joseph found favor in the sight of the prison guard.  We are even more blessed, because through our faith in Christ, we find mercy with the heavenly Father.  Verse twenty-two says, And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.  Joseph was once again put in a position of authority where he was.  He was not freed from the prison, and by now could have decided to simply take advantage of the situation, but we know that he didn't.  We cannot allow circumstances to cause us to become bitter and self-centered.  Verse twenty-three declares, The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.  The keeper of the prison was not concerned about anything Joseph did.  We are told that this was because the LORD was with Joseph and made what he did to prosper.  The question is whether the keeper recognized that God was at work through Joseph or not.  We, as followers of Christ, should live in such a way that others recognize that there is something different about us, whether they recognize it as the presence of God in our life our not.  Wherever we are, no matter our circumstances, as Christians we are blessed by God and He will cause us to prosper spiritually as long as we never lose faith in Him.  By now, Joseph could have had the attitude that nothing he did seemed to matter, so why bother, but he was still faithful in carrying out his duties.  Joseph had no evidence that by doing a good job he would somehow be freed from prison, but he did his best anyway.  As followers of Christ, all we can ever do is to do the best that we can whatever the situation so that God may be glorified.

Genesis 39:11 says, And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.  Joseph went into the house alone to conduct his business, and none of the other men were around.  Maybe he should have immediately left when he realized this, especially with Potipher's wife being like she was, but he did have business to attend to.  We, as followers of Christ, should try to never put ourselves in a compromising position, especially if we are already aware that there could be problems.  Verse twelve states, And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.  Potipher's wife caught Joseph's garment and once again propositioned him.  She was determined to lead Joseph into a sinful situation, and he was just as determined not to commit this sin.  He chose to run to get out of the situation.  It is better to flee with nothing than to be seduced by sin.  Verse thirteen adds, And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,  Potipher's wife realized that Joseph had left his garment.  It seems that Joseph's garments were once more to be used to prove a lie.  I believe that Potipher's wife was probably anger that Joseph had once again refused her, and she saw the garment as a way to punish him, as we will see.  We should not be surprised when people of the world are unable get us to enter into a sinful situation that they may instead want to simply cause us trouble.  Verse fourteen declares, That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:  Though I am sure that she was glad to be alone with Joseph a few minutes before, Potipher's wife now wanted the men of the house there, so she called them.  She said Joseph had attempted to have sexual relationships with her, and then she blamed Potipher for causing the problem.  Not only had Potipher brought Joseph into the house, but Joseph was a Hebrew, a foreigner.  We should never be surprised when someone attempts to blame others for their sins, but as followers of Christ, we should never do so.  Verse fifteen adds, And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.  She claimed that she cried out and caused Joseph to flee without his garment.  The garment would be her proof.  Accusations of sexual misconduct are continually in the news today, and often there is no physical proof.  I personally believe that in most cases the accusations are most likely true, but we do know that some aren't, so it becomes a question of whom to believe.  I don't believe that we can accept some accusations and dismiss others simply because of whom the person is that is being accused.  Verse fifteen continues, And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.  As just discussed, Potipher's wife used Joseph's garment to support her claim.  In this respect, it became more than a she said situation.  She seemingly had proof.  Verse sixteen states, And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.  Potipher's wife kept Joseph's garment until Potipher got home.  She was determined to cause problems for Joseph.  Verse seventeen says, And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:  She began once more by laying the responsibility of her alleged attack on Potipher.  She reminded him that he had brought Joseph, this foreigner into the house.  It is not uncommon for people to attempt to blame their sins on anyone they can.  It was not enough to blame Joseph.  Potipher's wife wanted him to feel that he was responsible for what allegedly happened and make herself be the victim of both men.  Verse eighteen adds, And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.  She repeated her lie to Potipher.  Hopefully, if anyone ever accuses us, as followers of Christ, of some sinful act it will have to be based on a lie, and we should always attempt to avoid situations where the lie might appear to be the truth.

Genesis 39;1 says, And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.  Joseph was brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar.  Joseph was being removed farther from the people of Israel, the people through whom God had chosen to reveal Himself to the world.  If we are enslaved by the things of this world, we will only get farther and farther away from God.  Verse two states, And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.  Fortunately, even though Joseph was separated from God's people, he was not separated from God.  No matter how far we get away from God and His people physically, we are never really out of God's presence.  God blessed Joseph and made him prosper in Potipher's house.  God did not set Joseph free from slavery, but blessed him where he was.  Even if God does not change our circumstances, He will bless us where we are if we allow Him to.  Verse three declares, And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.  Potipher realized that God was with Joseph and was causing him to prosper.  We need to pray that people will realize that God is with us today, no matter our circumstances, if we are followers of Christ.  Verse four adds, And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.  Joseph found grace in Potipher's sight, and was put in charge of all of Potipher's house.  Had Joseph been sitting around feeling sorry for himself this would have never happened.  We cannot allow our situation in the world to turn us bitter, but must always do our best to show God to the world wherever we are.  Verse five says, And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.  God blessed Potipher for Joseph's sake.  Joseph was still a slave.  I wonder how often do we prevent other people from being blessed by God because of our attitude toward them.  Verse six states, And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.  Potipher entrusted Joseph's with everything that he had in his household.  Joseph was a good person and did not take advantage of his position.  Of course, being a good person is not enough if we do not know God in a personal relationship through faith in Christ.  Verse seven declares, And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.  When things were going well with Joseph, Potipher's wife noticed him and asked him to engage in a sexual relationship with her.  As a slave still, Joseph could have thought why not.  He could have seen this as God just adding to his blessings.  Verse eight states, But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;  Joseph refused her and remained faithful to Potipher.  Even if something may be tempting, if it is against God's law we must refuse it and remain faithful to God.  Verse nine continues, There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?  Joseph said that Potipher had not held anything back from him except for his wife, and to be involved with her would be a sin.  When we are tempted by anything, no matter how appealing it may be, we must first ask if it is a sin against God, and if so how can we do it.  Verse ten states,  And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.  Joseph refusal and and statement of loyalty to Potipher did not stop Potipher's wife from continuing to tempt Joseph.  When we stand firm for God, the temptations of the world may get worse instead of better, but we must never give in.

Genesis 38:20 says, And Judah sent the kid by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to receive his pledge from the woman’s hand: but he found her not.  Judah attempted to fulfill his pledge, but his friend could not find the woman.  I am not sure what he told his friend, but evidently Judah did not want to go himself.  We cannot expect our friends to fulfill our obligations, especially spiritually ones.  Verse twenty-one states, Then he asked the men of that place, saying, Where is the harlot, that was openly by the way side? And they said, There was no harlot in this place.  We are told that the friend at least thought he knew that he was looking for a harlot, but not that he said why.  Those that he talked to may have thought that he owed the woman something.  Verse twenty-two adds, And he returned to Judah, and said, I cannot find her; and also the men of the place said, that there was no harlot in this place.  The friend returned to Judah with news that could have been considered either good or bad.  The woman couldn't be found which could have been good, but she still had Judah's things, which could have been bad.  There is never an easy way to get out of a sinful situation without some cost, especially spiritually, and we must accept the responsibility for it individually.  Even though as followers of Christ we are forgiven of our sins, we must still accept the responsibility for them in order for them to be forgiven.  Verse twenty-three says, And Judah said, Let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her.  Judah basically said to just let things go, unless we be shamed.  His friend had done nothing to be shamed by, but too often we like Judah want to have our friends share the shame of our sins.  Verse twenty-four states, And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.  Three months later, word came to Judah that Tamar was pregnant, and he condemned her to be burned.  Judah was willing to pay a harlot that he had been with, but was ready to condemn his daughter-in-law to death.  Of course, Judah was as guilty of the same sin that he was condemning her for.  We are often more willing to see others condemned for their sins than we are to think that we should be condemned for ours.  Verse twenty-five declares, When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.  When Tamar was brought out to face the charges, she produced Judah's signet, bracelets, and staff and said the owner was the father of her child.  I don't know if other people recognized them, but Judah certainly did.  We can be certain that our sins will find us out, in the judgment of Christ if not before.  Verse twenty-six states, And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.  At least Judah acknowledged his guilt, even more than getting her pregnant.  He had not given Shelah to Tamar as her husband as he had promised.  If failure to live up to our promises leads someone else to sin, we cannot feel that they deserve to be punished more than we do.  Verse twenty-seven states, And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.  Then verse twenty-eight adds, And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first. Tamar gave birth to twins and the midwife put a scarlet ribbon on the wrist of what she thought would be the first born.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.  The other son was actually born first.  Then verse thirty concludes, And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.  I guess we could say that this was an unusual birth, but both sons were born and named.  We cannot always determine how events will play out in life, but as followers of Christ, we must always accept them as they happen.

Genesis 38:12 says, And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah’s wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.  Judah's wife died.  We are not told how long they had been married when this happened.  Matthew Henry said that Judah went up to his sheep shearers for a time of merriment after he buried his wife and was comforted.  We do know that life goes on after the death of a spouse, but a person may not be thinking as clearly as they should for awhile.  Verse thirteen states, And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep.  Someone told Tamar that Judah had left.  We are not told how much time had passed since the death of her second husband, but she may have felt that Judah was not going to honor his promise to her to give his youngest son as her husband.  Matthew Henry says that some people believe that Tamar had accepted God as her God and wanted to possibly be in the lineage of the Messiah, which she was.  Still for whatever reason, she devised a plan to have a child with Judah.  Again, I don't believe that God wants us to use deception to accomplish His will, though He may sometimes work His will in spite of our deceptions.  Verse fourteen declares, And she put her widow’s garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.  Tamar saw that Shelah was grown and Judah had not fulfilled his promise to her, so she devised her own plan.  She put away her mourning clothes and dressed as a harlot and set in an open place on the way to Timnath, where she evidently knew that she would encounter Judah.  Verse fifteen adds, When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.  Judah saw her and didn't recognize her, possibly because he had simply dismissed her as a harlot.  He definitely was not looking at her with kindness and understanding, but simply as someone to be used.  When we encounter people who are doing bad things, we cannot just dismiss them as someone to be used or ignored.  Verse sixteen states, And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?  Judah asked Tamar to come to him for the purpose of having sexual relations with her, and she asked him what he would give her.  This would have reinforced the idea that she was a harlot.  Verse seventeen says, And he said, I will send thee a kid from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou send it?  Judah promised her a kid from his flock, but Tamar asked for a pledge, something of value, to ensure that Judah would carry out his promise.  He had already made a promise to her once before.  Of course, Judah was not acting much like a man who was following God.  As followers of Christ, when we see people acting in a sinful way, we can either attempt to bring people up God, ignore them, or move down to their level ignoring God's guidance.  Verse eighteen adds, And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him.  Judah asked Tamar what she wanted for a pledge, and she said his signet, bracelets and staff.  Judah had to put a little faith in her returning these things when he sent her the kid.  Verse nineteen declares, And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.  After being with Judah, Tamar again put on her garments of widowhood.  We cannot sin and then just go on as if nothing had happened, because no matter if anyone else ever knows or not, God does.  Christianity cannot be like a robe that we put on and take off when it stands between what we want and following God's will.