1 When his brothers were ready to leave, Joseph gave these instructions to his palace manager: “Fill each of their sacks with as much grain as they can carry, and put each man’s money back into his sack. 2 Then put my personal silver cup at the top of the youngest brother’s sack, along with the money for his grain.” So the manager did as Joseph instructed him.

3 The brothers were up at dawn and were sent on their journey with their loaded donkeys. 4 But when they had gone only a short distance and were barely out of the city, Joseph said to his palace manager, “Chase after them and stop them. When you catch up with them, ask them, ‘Why have you repaid my kindness with such evil? 5 Why have you stolen my master’s silver cup, which he uses to predict the future? What a wicked thing you have done!’”

Genesis 44:1-5 (NLT)

All is well

The brothers have a nice meal in Joseph’s palace. Simeon is released from prison. Joseph forgives them. They get their grain and set off early in the morning. “All is well”, they think. They congratulate each other, give high fives, and send a text back to Jacob that they’re all on their way home, with Benjamin and Simeon. (Well maybe not that part).

Framed

But not so fast. Joseph has a scheme. He is going to frame Benjamin for stealing his special silver cup. Not only does he again return their money, he puts the cup in Benjamin’s sack. His intention is to give the brothers one final test of their heart – have they really repented? “Guided by the hand of God, Joseph tested the hearts of his brothers and brought them to complete repentance”. (enduringword.com)

Special cup

We should note that it is true that special cups and other objects were used to determine the future through black magic. Knowing Joseph’s character, it is not likely he participated in this. “It also seems unlikely since Joseph had the gift of interpreting dreams (divine revelations) from God. He was a prophet who could reveal the future.” (planobiblechapel.org)  Joseph’s intention was to put a high value on the cup to justify a high price to pay for stealing it.

RЯeflection

• It seems strange that Joseph would concoct such a test. It is likely that God was in it – maybe even giving him the idea. Does God present these kinds of tests to us?
• Would you share a “God story” of how He tested you and how you grew from trusting Him?