Genesis 43:24

But we are slow to take in the greatness of God's grace. It was the same with Joseph's brothers, who "were afraid" when they were brought into Joseph's house. They could only think they were brought in to be condemned. They could not imagine they were brought in to be feasted... They looked on Joseph as against them, as someone who must be appeased. They had yet to learn that he is making all things work together for good. Instead of judging themselves, they are judging Joseph.

Not only did they see Joseph's face, they were made his favoured guests. But this only awakened their fear and suspicion. Grace does this in those who want everything settled on legal terms... How little they knew Joseph's heart! There are many too who remain unsaved only because they are suspicious of God's grace in Christ Jesus.

Abraham, Lot, Laban, Joseph, and the old man of Gibeah stand out among those who kept this duty. Genesis 18, 19, 24, 43; Judges 19. And the Son of God, receiving people into the heavenly house, would give His chosen ones the full sense of their welcome and their fitness. Then they could take their place with happy confidence in any part of that royal sanctuary... This washing fitted them for such a place. He was taking on Himself the charge of having them fit for the divine presence.

Every kindness was shown them for their comfort, even to the feeding of their donkeys.

Meanwhile Simeon rejoins them, and all are treated with the kind attention due to guests, and their beasts of burden too.

He says the men "are to dine with me." Is this not a picture of that far greater message God sends to a world of sinners: "Come, for everything is now ready"? Joseph's purposes go far beyond his brothers' plans. Their plan was only to get a blessing from Joseph. His purpose was to give a blessing — but a blessing they would enjoy in his company and in his home. Their plan was to buy grain to make a feast among themselves. His plan was to spread a feast to be enjoyed with him. Like Joseph's brothers, we are just as slow to take in God's thoughts of blessing. We would be content to get the forgiveness of sins and salvation from hell. But how far short of God's thoughts that is! His thought is to have us with Himself, to feast with Him in His home.

But kindness or roughness works the same way with a guilty conscience... A shaken leaf might well frighten the brothers now, for conscience had made cowards of them all... Joseph was wisely calling in every feeling of the mind and weaving them together: wonder with fear, gratitude with joy. In this way there might be a thorough renewal to repentance.

How little they yet understood that His goodness was leading them to repentance! The brother they had so deeply wronged and bitterly hated was only working out their best good through the trials they were passing through... God would work more deeply yet.