Genesis 44:1-17

“‘What have you done?’ Joseph demanded. ‘Don’t you know that a man like me can predict the future?’” (Genesis 44:15, NLT)

Have you ever been accused of something you didn’t do? That is a tough burden to bear. You may be tempted to lash out at your accuser or return evil for evil. We can only imagine how Joseph’s brothers felt when they were accused of stealing the prime minister’s special silver cup. They told the prime minister’s servant that if he found the silver cup with any of them, this person would die and the rest of them would become slaves. Imagine how they felt when the silver cup was found with Benjamin! The servant said that Benjamin would remain in Egypt as a slave, but the rest of them were free to go. In all these things, Joseph tested them to see what was in their heart. Would they “save their own skin” and let their little brother become a slave as they had done with Joseph?

Rotten circumstances test us. We want to fight back or lash out at others. We may even complain against God. But all the while God is using the circumstances to reveal what is in our hearts. Will we trust Him? Will we obey His Word…even if we’re the only ones who are faithful?

In twenty-two years, Joseph’s brothers had changed. They were no longer jealous and selfish. They had grown to be a brotherhood who would leave no man behind. They even loved their little brother who was favored by their father. They would all become slaves to save Benjamin.

Thankfully, we are not judged by what we once were but by who we are in Christ. Despite what we have done, when we believe in Jesus Christ, we are “accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). We have been made a new creation in Christ: the old things have passed away, and all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have been washed in the blood and given the righteousness of Christ (Romans 3:21-25). Such justification by grace should cause us to pursue holiness (Hebrews 12:14), and even more eagerly as the Day approaches.

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:2–3, NKJV)

Therefore, if you have been falsely accused, or if the enemy is condemning you, then put on the breastplate of your righteousness in Christ and continue to do good.

“Commit your way to the LORD. Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light and your justice as the noonday.” (Psalm 37:5–6, NKJV)