ESOCS Devotional 24 October 2023 – A Heart that Truly Fears God
MEMORY VERSE: “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.” Genesis 43:34
TEXT: GENESIS 43:16-34 (KJV)
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.
17 And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.
18 And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.
19 And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,
20 And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
21 And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.
22 And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.
23 And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.
24 And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.
25 And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.
26 And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
27 And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?
28 And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.
29 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
30 And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.
31 And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.
32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.
34 And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of their’s. And they drank, and were merry with him.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
Joseph was offended by his brothers. It is only natural he retaliates the evil they did to him more so no that he is in a powerful position in Egypt. He could have easily dealt with them anyhow he chooses. However, Joseph had in earlier meeting with his brothers told them that he feared God (Gen. 42:18). He by this assuring them to relax and interact with him. Although they do not know who he is but he knew who they are.
The point of this devotional discourse is that the heart of Joseph was poised to treat his brothers God’s way in spite of what they did to him. That posture of heart can only be possible if it fears God. We see the evidence of his heart that truly fears God in how he treated his brothers.
He gave them good provisions, he gave them back their money, he ate and drank with them and they were merry with him. Other versions of the Bible put this verse 34 thus: “Portions of food from Joseph’s table were brought to them, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as large as theirs. So, the drank together and were at ease” (Gen. 43:34 CES).
Each was given his serving there in front of him, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as large as any of theirs. So, they drank and enjoyed themselves with him” Gen. 43:34 (CJB)
How can it be possible that Joseph was in the presence of those who intended to kill but were stopped, and they ended up to sell him off to strangers. Obviously, they meant not good for him. And here his is making their life enjoyable. Definitely, there must have been an influence over him and it is called the fear of God.
King James Version (KJV) said “and were merry with him”, common English Bible (CJB) said “and enjoyed themselves with him.” All these descriptions were possible because of the heart that truly fear God. Otherwise, they were supposed to be dead or locked up in prison.
The kind of heart Joseph carried in the type of heart that please God. And God has gone a step further to make of possible to carry that heart. This He did in Christ Jesus for us. In Christ Jesus He provided a new life – the life of God. As many as received Jesus in their life that life would be put into them. That life would impact fear of God in them. But beloved, the fear of God would not function effectively in you until you decide to allow it to function in you. Some many believers don’t fear God. How you may ask? Now, how can a believer in Christ say that he/she would never forgive how can that be possible? It is because he the does not fear God.
When you fear God and how you are sure you fear God is when gone are very and more than willing to obey the word of God. Fearing God is not Limited only to forgiveness and reconciliation but cuts across everything that has to do with holiness and righteousness. Decide for the fear of God today.
- Ask yourself, do you truly fear God?
- Father LORD God, may my heart truly fear You in Jesus Name, Amen.
FURTHER READING: Genesis 13:2–end; Mark 4:1-20, Romans 7:3-end
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ESOCS Devotional 24 October 2023