Genesis 42: 21, 27 -28

Whose fault is it? That’s one of the first questions asked when something goes wrong. Even before we ask what went wrong we ask who did wrong. It’s our nature to assign blame. Joseph is harsh with his brothers. In a surprising act of maturity they accept responsibility. They believe their problems are an indirect consequence of their sin against Joseph. They acknowledged among themselves that they are covered with his blood.

Joseph understands them; they do not realize he speaks Hebrew. He recognizes they are aware of their guilt. Being aware of guilt is not always the same as having been changed to the better by that awareness. Joseph is still going to test them more. He must know who they have become.

He keeps Simon as a prisoner, and sends them home with instructions to return with Benjamin. On the way home they discover the silver Joseph had returned to their sacks. They are afraid. They ask, “What is this that God has done to us?” What do they mean by this question? Do they think that God made the silver appear in their sacks miraculously? I did not believe so. I believe they’re asking why God let it happen. They want to know what the greater purpose is. They believe that somehow God’s will is involved in what is going on in their lives. Why would they believe this? They know God. They know God plays an active part in the world he has created. They believe God cares about what happens to them. Their question paraphrased in today’s language would be “What is God up to?”

The questions they are dealing with are complicated and difficult. It is not easy to understand what part God plays in the events of our life. Somethings God makes happen. Somethings God lets happen. Somethings happen contrary to God’s will, but he works in them for our good. The key to understanding comes by walking with God. When we listen, God will tell us what he is doing. Not everything is God’s doing, but in everything God is doing something.