24 July Genesis 43

Peace be to you; fear not

Genesis 43:23 (KJV) And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.

This verse tells the story of Joseph and his brothers. The brothers had gone to Egypt to buy grain during a famine, and they were brought before Joseph, the governor of Egypt. However, the brothers did not recognise Joseph, who had become a powerful figure in Egypt. Joseph tested them by accusing them of being spies and imprisoning one of them, Simeon until they returned with their younger brother, Benjamin.

Joseph instructed his steward to fill their sacks with grain and secretly return their money, and now he assures them that their God, the God of their father (Jacob), has given them treasure in their sacks.

In this verse, the steward tries to comfort the brothers, who are worried and scared about finding the silver cup in Benjamin's sack. He reassures them, saying, "Don't be afraid; everything is okay." He explains that their God, the God of their father, has blessed them with treasure in their sacks.

The steward’s words, “Peace be to you, fear not, " are more than just comforting; they have deep meaning throughout the scriptures. This phrase makes us think: How often does fear control what we do today? How could being reassured of peace change how we react to uncertainties in our own lives?

This reminds us of Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP) “Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus ”. Peace by God is available even when circumstances seem inexplicably daunting. It’s a call to recognise God’s ongoing provision and presence during our trials. It’s a doorway to understanding God’s continual promise of peace and provision.

God is waiting for the perfect opportunity to bless you in the most challenging times. You may be going through an emotional, spiritual or financial famine. Don’t be afraid, God is in control. What blessings will you find in your sack today?

The Message translation in Genesis 43:23 says, “The steward said, “Everything’s in order. Don’t worry. Your God and the God of your father must have given you a bonus. I was paid in full.” And with that, he presented Simeon to them”.

The International Standard Version says "Relax," the manager said. "You can stop being afraid, now. Your God, the God of your father, has placed hidden treasure within those sacks for you. I've been paid in full." Then he brought Simeon out to them”

In conclusion, this passage highlights the reassurance and peace that come from trusting in God's plan, even in challenging times. The steward's words remind us that fear often clouds our perspective, but embracing peace can transform our responses to life's uncertainties. Just as the brothers found unexpected blessings, we too can discover God’s provisions in our lives. Whether facing emotional, spiritual, or financial challenges, we are encouraged to trust that God is in control and ready to bless us.