A Meal with Joseph

📜 Scripture:
“And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.”
— Genesis 43:34 (KJV)

📚 Background:
Joseph’s brothers return to Egypt with Benjamin, unaware that the man they fear is their long-lost brother. Joseph, moved by compassion, prepares a feast. The brothers, still burdened by guilt and uncertainty, are stunned by the royal treatment. Benjamin receives a portion five times larger than the others—a test of their hearts. The meal becomes a moment of grace, reunion, and quiet revelation.

💡 Devotional Thought:
This passage is a portrait of grace served on a platter. Joseph, still veiled in mystery, chooses mercy over vengeance. He doesn’t expose their past sins—he invites them to dine. The brothers expect punishment but receive provision. Their fear is met with favor.

Benjamin’s oversized portion is more than a test—it’s a symbol. Joseph lavishes love on the brother who represents innocence and connection to his mother. The others, once jealous, now marvel without protest. Something has changed. The meal reveals not just Joseph’s heart, but theirs.

God often meets us in unexpected places—in the middle of our fear, He prepares a table. Not to shame us, but to show us that grace is greater than guilt.

🧠 Reflection Questions:

When have I expected judgment but received grace instead?
How do I respond when others are blessed more than me?
What does this passage teach me about forgiveness and quiet generosity?

🙏 Prayer:
Lord, You prepare a table before me—even when I feel unworthy. Teach me to receive Your grace with humility and to extend it to others without hesitation. May my heart be free from envy and full of gratitude. Let my life reflect the mercy You’ve shown me. Amen.

🛠️ Application:

Reflect on someone you’ve struggled to forgive. What would it look like to “prepare a meal” for them—figuratively or literally?
Practice generosity today, especially toward someone who might not expect it.
Journal about a time when God surprised you with kindness in a season of fear.

📌 Takeaway:
🍷 Grace doesn’t just pardon—it invites us to feast.
In Joseph’s house, fear is replaced by favor, and guilt gives way to joy.