“May God almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” (43:14)
While originally Jacob refused to let his sons bring Benjamin to Egypt for fear of him not returning, the clan is now in serious need of food. Judah persuades his father to let Benjamin come with the brothers, saying, “I will be a pledge for his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever” (Genesis 43:9).
Jacob reluctantly agrees, looking to God for mercy that Benjamin will come back safely, as well as restoring Simeon, who was left there in prison until Benjamin would be brought.
God is the one who keeps us safe and grants us mercy more often than we even realize. At some level Jacob realized this.
We want to exercise wisdom, however. An unhealthy holding of everyone we love close to us and being fearful of what might befall them is suffocating, unrealistic, and destructive—not to mention lacking faith. We are not in control, but we know who is. Knowing that God is in control and is trustworthy brings us freedom. That doesn’t mean we or our loved ones won’t go through hard times as we have seen in Joseph’s case, but knowing that God is involved, even in the hard times, should help us.
In my son’s second year of owning his own business, he encountered a client, who after signing off that a job was done to her satisfaction, changed her mind and threatened to sue him. My son was only eighteen years old at the time. My mother’s heart cried out to the Lord. I believe the Lord told me that He was growing my son through this, and that I needed to not get in the way.
Prayer: God, I thank you for all Your mercies, and I acknowledge that they are more than I even know. Please grant mercy _______________(pray for specific situations in your life and in your loved ones’ lives.) Help me not to get in the way of what you are doing. Amen.
