GENESIS 44 GOD HATH FOUND OUT Watching those men loading their animals with bags of food and starting on that homeward journey, I wondered if after they got out of sight of Joseph's house, they didn't start giving each other "High fives!" "We got away with it! Benjamin is here. Simeon is here. We are all here - except one and we are on our way home!" There may be times when God has worked to bring us out of our difficulty and we breathe a sigh of relief that we got away with it. But it is well for us to remember that "All things are naked and open before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Nothing escapes God's attention.
Careless words were spoken when the steward stopped them. "Let him die" - "We will be my lord's bondmen;" such arrogant self-assurance has to be dealt with once and for all. From their own mouths they condemned themselves. It is not uncommon for people to try to cover guilt with words that have not been thoughtfully considered. Hasty speech is usually the words of a self-centered person. "Let thy words be few" is a good proverb to consider when challenged or in the presence of those who are given to a lot of talk. Generally, after people have had their say about a matter, they will realize someone hasn't said anything, and they will wonder why. I must remember that God hears every conversation and every idle word will have to be given account of.
Now for the first time, the reality and danger of the situation of the eleven brothers finally hit home. They had said themselves that Benjamin must die. They had condemned themselves to be slaves. No longer will subterfuge be acceptable. No longer can they fake their way before others. No longer is deceit possible. No longer can they ignore God with pious platitudes they had used before. They now knew that nothing was hid from God although they had deceived themselves for many years.
We may think a matter has been covered well, but God knows and we know. It is no small thing to try to deceive God. To convince one's self that guilt can be forever concealed is self-deception. The conscience will not allow it. Memory will not allow it. Our nature cannot be killed or things blanked out as if they never happened. God has arranged things so that no longer could Judah avoid the responsibility he had volunteered for. He had sold one brother into slavery. Now he offered to become a slave to save another younger brother. There was a real change in Judah. Now he was concerned about his father in a real way. Now he realized the extent of his commitment. There are times when we need to be silent. There are also times when we must speak up. When truth, righteousness, integrity, honesty and purity are at stake, we dare not remain mute. A strong voice and courage are needed when these matters are in jeopardy. A clear explanation of events and the issues involved often have to be made plain. As Judah reviewed the whole matter before Joseph, he could now see there was a genuine change in him. There was honest and open communication. Even when it came to speaking of Joseph to Joseph, he did not know what had been the outcome of their jealous action. Most slaves would have been dead by this time from overwork.
There may be times in our lives when we have to take action to protect the innocent. We should never underestimate the value of a young person to the Lord. To cast a stumbling block before a young believer is to meddle with one God has set His love upon. We want, yes, we need, young people to rise and lead their generation in the ways of the Lord. It is not right to insist that those who are older should not have to pay the price to preserve those who are younger for God and His glory. It there is a price to pay, pay it. If there is a burden to bear, shoulder it. If there is a doctrine to pass on, stand up and articulate it. We need the "lad" with us. We cannot compromise a matter but we can pay the cost on behalf of others. God knows. God has found us out. God expects us to do what is right no matter what others do. So, volunteer to take the rap. Go ahead and pay the price. God has already found us out. Now do what is right.
Who would have thought a change was wrought in just a moment of time. But the events challenged those involved because of what they did find. God has His ways of bringing to pass the apex of an incident. And when one is finally found out in sin, it is not a real coincidence.
To live openly before the Lord is really what God intends. He is not wanting to have to deal with what we think is hidden sin. Nothing ever takes God by surprise, the one who is startled is me. When I face guilt before God's throne, the slave is then set free.
We may have thought God didn't really care or it was of minor concern. Because the years passed and we didn't bare the rod of justice and no one else has learned The truth of the matter, so we think it's dead and buried until God starts to move. And then unjudged sin is faced, and God His justice proves.
He knew all the time what we thought He'd just found out; God had witnessed the act. It may not be something like selling your brother, but this is an unmistakable fact. God is involved because His name is known and you are in His family. It is in your best interest to yield to His will as He brings you into maturity.
When God starts to move to bring things about, change can happen in a day. What is done at the rising of the sun, can be undone by one word we say. A man on his knees no longer tries to please himself as he gets through to God. He longs for and desires, his heart aspires to experience the forgiveness of the Lord.
If there is blame to bear don't look for someone else to share, deal with it once for all. God is near and He does hear the voice of the one who on Him calls. He gives answers in peace because of His grace, and we rise to go on with Him. The lesson to learn is to bitterness and sin spurn, and your joy will be full again.
"Father God, I know everything about me is known to Thee. There are even things I don't know about myself that You know. I take great comfort in knowing the blessing of forgiveness and the assurance of fellowship with Thee. In Thee alone do I rest and trust knowing I have nothing that I can hide from Thee. I thank Thee and praise Thee in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."