Changed Not Chained

“We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan, and behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is no more.” But Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you. You are spies. By this, you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.” And he put them all together in custody for three days. (Genesis 42:13-17 ESV)

Twelve Brothers

In this passage, Joseph, who his brothers sold into bondage, had risen to the house of Pharoah and was a ruler second to only Pharoah. Joseph knew God had led him to Egypt, and God strengthened him. God gave Joseph the gift of dream interpretation and interpreted dreams for the Pharoah of Egypt.

Now standing before him were his brothers, all but his brother Benjamin. Joseph needed to find out many things. Was his father alive? Was Benjamin alive? Had his brothers changed? So, Joseph tested them. He put them all in prison for three days. Joseph told them one of you will remain here; the rest will go to your father and bring back your younger brother. The rest of the brothers would be released with grain to take home. Two tests, first test, one would need to stay; would any of them volunteer? The second test, bring back your younger brother. In verse thirteen, the brothers say we are twelve brothers, the youngest with their father, and “one who is no more.” Joseph was the one who was no more. Joseph’s brothers wanted to murder him because he was their father’s favorite. Joseph and now Benjamin were the favorite sons of Jacob, born by his favorite wife. Now his brothers had to prove they had changed to Joseph.

Who's Staying?

None of them would volunteer; there was no change. So, Joseph selected Simeon, who Joseph had bound before the brothers. This whole situation was about change. You see, I argue Joseph had already forgiven them. If not, they would have received his retribution right then and there. So, this is a test. Joseph had their donkeys loaded, and they left. When they reached lodging, one of the brothers opened his sack to get fodder for the donkey, found his money, and was petrified, they knew the Lord of Pharoah would accuse them of stealing and take their lives. The money was a third test; would they keep the money or be honest and return it? Have they changed? No, they have not.

They reached their father, Jacob, and told him what happened. Jacob told them, “You have bereaved me, stating Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin” (v.35). Joseph had placed an indirect test before them. Does their father trust them? Will he let them take Benjamin with them? Yet another test, does Benjamin trust them? If Joseph and Benjamin were the children of Jacob’s favorite wife, would Jacob trust them? Jacob said no, they could not take Benjamin. It wasn’t until Judah swore an oath that Jacob let them leave with Benjamin.

Not Family, Not Promises, Not You.... But God

God elected Jacob and his sons to raise a nation. God’s election brings about change, but there has apparently been no change. These guys have not been transformed. It does not matter that they are from the right family. It does not matter that their father is part of a covenant with God. God had not changed them; have you changed? This question is for you, has God changed you? Are you one of the thousands of people who, when asked if you are a Christian, say yes because my mother and grandmother were Christians, and I was raised in a Christian family? Yes, I am a Christian because I once said a prayer and was sincere about it. I remember the day, the hour, the place, and the tears. You remember these things, but is there a change in you? If you know Jesus, He WILL change you. Is there evidence of this in your life.? Have you been transformed? If you push this point, you will probably hear, “Who are you to judge me?”

It's in the Good Book

Here are some texts to show us this. In Matthew 7:15-20 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Do you bear fruit? Are the works of Christ in you?

Right after this verse, Matthew wrote. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”

Who is in the Mirror?

Do the sins of your past continue to characterize your present life? I am not asking if you still struggle with a particular sin; are you the same person you were before you say you were saved? Is that who you are? If Christ has saved you, the binding on sin is broken; no more chains. Holiness grows in you if Christ has changed you. Are you growing in Christ? There has to be progress. Are you battling against sin, or do you justify it? If you respond to this with “nobody is perfect,” you should be worried.

Only Christ

Jesus can save you; if you genuinely have accepted Christ, he has changed you. If the mercies of Christ haven’t changed you, run to Him right now before it is too late. Christ changes us; the heart of stone is changed to a heart of flesh. If you have hardened your heart against God. If you don’t repent your sins, there is a problem. If you say you don’t have sin, there is a problem. If these things are you and if you do not understand this or think it is unimportant, there is a problem. Saved people who know the Lord are changed; they fight their sins; it is a spiritual battle. When they are struggling, they pray and cling to Christ. Is that you? Are you changed? Are you?

Blessed be the Lord, Jesus Christ.