Genesis 44. Joseph tests his brothers. Was it fair or a jerk move?

Rev. John Shank, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Edwardsville, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Genesis 44.

Joseph is playing with his brothers. We could interpret his actions as generous or as a trickster. Through it all, the LORD works to unite the family back together. Their time going back and forth to Joseph would have been exhausting. The brothers remembered their past sins, they did not want to see their father go through pain again, and they had remorse over “stealing” the $. Yet, when Judah pleaded to take the place of Benjamin to please the Father…we see how God’s grace was sufficient. As Judah stood in the place of his brother, our Lord stood in our place. “Lord God, as You reconciled Joseph to his family, reconcile us with those whom we are separated from. In Christ’s cross our reconciliation to the Father is completed. With our identity in Christ, help us to be ministers of reconciliation to others. In His name, Amen”