The Final Test

The Final Test

Q: What did Joseph have placed in his youngest brother’s sack?

• a. extra grain
• b. pieces of gold
• c. Joseph’s silver cup

When Joseph’s brothers returned to Egypt for more food during the famine (see yesterday’s devotion), Joseph had a test for them. He told his palace manager to put his silver cup, and the money paid for Benjamin’s grain, in the top of Benjamin’s sack. The brothers left early the next day not knowing it was there.

After they’d traveled awhile, Joseph sent his manager after them. The manager stopped them and demanded to know who had Joseph’s silver cup and the money. That person would remain in Egypt as a slave.

When the cup and money were found in Benjamin’s sack, all the brothers returned to Joseph. Judah pleaded to become a slave in Benjamin’s place. He knew his father couldn’t bear it if Benjamin didn’t return home. Judah’s offer showed Joseph that his brothers had changed. They were no longer the cruel siblings they’d once been. Joseph told his brothers who he was.

The brothers went home and packed up their possessions. Then they moved with their families and their father to Egypt to be with Joseph and have food.

When the brothers sold Joseph years earlier, they never dreamed one day he’d save them from famine. Joseph was able to repay kindness for their evil. He could only do that because of his faith in God.

For You

Joseph’s silver cup was important because it was a sign of his authority. Sometimes these cups were used to tell the future. Joseph didn’t need his cup for that reason. God was in charge of his future. The Lord sees the whole plan for our lives, but he reveals it to us one piece at a time. Trust God to guide you day by day as Joseph did.

Answer: c

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. 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.   Genesis 44:1-2

(The Whole Story: Genesis 44–45)