"Reuben answered his brothers saying, ‘Did I not tell you, -do not sin against the boy; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood.’" Genesis 42:22

When it came time to marry, Jacob went to a relative, Laban to find a wife. Laban agreed to give his daughter Rachel in exchange for seven years of labor. Seven year later, after his wedding night, Jacob discovered that it was Rachel’s older sister Leah who had been deceitfully given to him in marriage. Though he was cheated, he agreed to keep Leah and work seven more years for Rachel.

Rachel possessed Jacob’s heart but her womb was sealed while Leah gave Jacob six sons. Jacob also fathered four sons from two servants whom he had received as concubines. Though he had ten sons he still longed for a son from Rachel, who was the love of his life. God eventually answer their prayers and Rachel conceived Joseph, Jacob’s eleventh-born son. As Joseph grew it became evident that he was favored by his father and because of this his brothers resented him.

In time the resentment grew so strong that they plotted to kill the boy. Instead, they sold him into slavery in Egypt and told his father that he had been killed by a wild animal. Jacob was grieved and had to live without his son from Rachel. The brothers had to secretly live with the guilt and shame of what they had done and watched their father grieve.

Over time their consciences had to become hardened. They let their jealously and envy get the best of them and did the unthinkable. They experienced the terrible grief and emotional stress they had brought upon their father and upon Rachel. And now they seemed as though they were forced to live a lie.

Sin will always take you farther than you want to go - keep you longer than you want to stay - and cost you more than you want to pay, -"Now comes the reckoning for his blood."

 

"Reuben answered his brothers saying, ‘Did I not tell you, -do not sin against the boy; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood.’" Genesis 42:22

Joseph experienced hardships in Egypt, rising and falling from the favor of his masters. Though he was faithful and true, he was falsely accused of sexual assault and was put in jail. For ten years he languished in prison yet remained faithful to God.

 Then one night the Pharaoh had a disturbing dream which none of his wise men could interpret. Joseph was summoned and interpreted the dream to prophesy of seven years of good harvests followed by seven years of drought. Joseph then presented a plan to Pharaoh which would protect the nation and rise it to great prominence. Pharaoh was so impressed by Joseph’s godly wisdom that he put him in charge of the project.

During the years of plenty a percentage of the crops were stored away for the coming lean years. When the drought occurred it caused a severe famine which spread throughout the Middle East. Nations from afar came to buy food from Egypt which made the nation exceeding rich. Jacob’s household was not spared so he sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain.

When they arrived they met Joseph. He recognized his brothers but they did not recognize him. This is when God began His work of healing emotional hurts and seared consciences.

Sometimes to reach a seared conscience one must be put into a position of extreme need. In their case it was a desperate need for food. Sometimes to reach a seared conscience one must be put through the pain of harsh treatment.

In their case, Joseph spoke roughly to them with accusations. Sometimes one must be pressed into solitude. In their case, Joseph imprisoned them for three days. Sometimes one must see that God is disciplining and correcting them. This is the point when Reuben said, -"Now comes the reckoning for his blood."

Despite what his brothers had done Joseph finally revealed to them who he was and forgave them. He sent for his father Jacob and gave them land nearby in Goshen. Joseph married in Egypt fathering two sons. His oldest he named Manasseh, meaning "to forget." The younger he named Ephriam, meaning "doubly fruitful."

 Because Joseph was willing to forgive and forget, God blessed him mightily. To help erase the guilt and shame, Joseph told his brothers, -"What you meant for evil, God meant for good."