Verse for the Day, 21 May 2014.

Genesis 43:6-7  Israel said, "Why did you treat me so badly as to tell the man that you had another brother?"  (7)  They replied, "The man questioned us carefully about ourselves and our kindred, saying, 'Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?' What we told him was in answer to these questions. Could we in any way know that he would say, 'Bring your brother down'?"……. (18 ) And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph's house, and they said, "It is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys."  (19)  So they went up to the steward of Joseph's house and spoke with him at the door of the house,  (20)  and said, "Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food.  (21)  And when we came to the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each man's money in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it again with us,  (22)  and we have brought other money down with us to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks."  (23)  He replied, "Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money." Then he brought Simeon out to them.

For men who had practiced dishonesty, falsehood, deceit and greed, these verses demonstrate that they have changed in their character. When asked about their family, they sought to tell the truth, and when given an opportunity to gain financially from a potential oversight, they resisted and sought to put it right. On both occasions it could have proved very costly. Jacob fears that it might not just be Benjamin who does not return. He has lost Joseph, and potentially Simeon, who has been in an Egyptian prison for some time. How many will more sons will he be bereaved of on this occasion? For the brothers, they were fearful of what might become of them when they reveal the truth about the money they found in their bags. Would they be accused of theft? Would the steward own up to his mistake, or cover it up and blame the brothers? Would they all be thrown into prison?

The truth, seeking to live and act in honesty can be very costly and often requires us to take a bold step of faith and trust in God to protect and preserve us if the consequences are what we feared. We need to only look at the example of Christ, he was truthful, honest in all that which he said, even when he knew that his truthfulness would result in him being crucified. When asked if he is the Christ, the Son of God, if he is a King, Jesus replied honestly, but was condemned even though he spoke the very truth.

We are aware that on many occasions a slight mistruth, a small lie here or there can make life much easier for us. There are times when we know if we tell the full truth we will receive a negative response, so we tell most of the truth, but fail to tell all of it, or we twist the truth so as to cast ourselves in a positive light, justifying our actions or failings. Often we will be able to fool, or deceive people and they will be none the wiser. However, the deceit may be short-lived, I am certain that the truth about Joseph’s disappearance was eventually told to Jacob, much to the shame of his brothers. Whether we fool men and our deceit remains hidden, or is exposed, all of it is known to God. God is a God of truth, He is truth and He loves truth, which therefore means that He hates deceit, despises falsehood and will not allow the liar to go undealt with. We may not regard telling lies or being deceitful as being such great sins, yet in Scripture we are taught that liars are condemned to eternal suffering. Honesty, truthfulness may be costly, but it is God-glorifying and for that reason alone we should love truth and seek to be truthful.

Father in a world filled with so many mistruths and deceitfulness, we thank You that we can know that You are truth. Thank You that we can build our lives upon Your truths made known to us through Your Word and Your Son. Thank You that we need not doubt what You tell us, nor fear that You will break Your word, or deceive us. We worship You Lord Jesus that You upheld and spoke the truth right unto death. We pray that You might help us to follow Your example and be people of truth, integrity and honesty, even when it is costly, remembering that we speak the truth for the increase of Your glory. Amen.