In this episode we continue studying the Book of Genesis. In this episode the brothers are accused of stealing Joseph's silver cup. The cup is found in Benjamin's bag and Joseph said, he would keep Benjamin in Egypt and his brothers could return home.

Joseph was giving them a chance to leave Benjamin behind, they could go back to their father and they would finally be free from Rachel's sons.

He rememered how they despised him and his mother, he rememered how they mocked little Benjamin.

Would they leave him behind to spite their father?

No. They would not leave Benjamin behind, if he had to stay they would all stay.

Judah stood before Joseph and told him why Benjamin had to go back home.

His emotional plea proved they had changed, he wanted Joseph to have mercy on them, and send Benjamin back, because, his father loved him very much and he was the only son left by his fathers wife. And if Benjamin did not go back home his father would die because his life was bound up in the child.

Judah actually cared about how his father felt. The same favoritism or special love Jacob showed Joseph, had previously caused bitterness and envy but now their hearts have been changed it didn’t matter if he loved Rachel’s son’s more than he loved them, instead of bitterness and envy there was love and compassion for their father and Benjamin.

Jacob hadn’t changed but they had changed, proving God may not change our situations but he will change us.

The everyday things people do to bug us, and tempt us to become angry, and act rude or unkind God allows to strengthen our character.

He may not change the people, person or circumstances because they or the things they do, are things, that are controlling our attitudes and moods, and shaping our character, and causing us not to show his love towards them.

Yes, Jacob loved Joseph and Benjamin more than he loved them.

Yes, Jacob had loved Rachel more than he loved their mothers. And there was nothing they could do about any of it.

But they could do something about their own love, their own emotions and actions, they could change how they felt about him.

So they decided that they would no longer let his lack of love for them cause them to hate or despise their brother, no longer would they let their father’s weakness provoke them to sin.

They aligned themselves with the words of their Christ, the coming Messiah who said:

Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Matthew 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

Matthew 5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.