March 16, 2026

Genesis 42

8 And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.

This verse makes me think of Matthew 7:23 (JST) "And then will I profess unto them, ye never knew me".

God knows us, and He is always there for us. He does not break His part of our covenant. Any distance from God, any time His children don't know him, is not due to an absent Father. He is always there, ready for us with outstretched arms. We come to know Him by following His commandments and His Son, Jesus Christ. And by doing so, we gain eternal life. Knowing God and eternal life are inseparably connected.

John 17

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Genesis 43

23 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.

Joseph put the money in their sacks, but that, and the food itself, was only possible because of God. He guided Joseph, through much tribulation, to prepare him to save his family.

This also reminds me of Elisha and the miracle of the widow's wheat and oil (2 Kings 4:1-7).

When Joseph threatens to kill Benjamin, each of the brothers offer their lives instead. When we lose our lives to save others - lose ourselves in missionary work - we find eternal life through our Savior Jesus Christ.