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Awesome Hands – part 34

“The man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant”

Often times in our lives, we can and will find ourselves wondering what the Lord is doing in our lives with the various trials, tribulations, persecutions and even blessings He sends our way.

It is quite natural for us to think this way, but for those with the mind of Christ, we should always want to know what we are to learn from these things.

Joh 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Joh 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

As we delve into this study for today, we will see that this has been common to man from the beginning and God has been placing His people in similar situations since the foundation of the world.

As we study the Word of God today, it is my hope that the Lord will bless us to be able to see ourselves in the stories that the Lord uses to admonish us with.

Mat 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

“Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good”

In the last study, we left off with Joseph starting the process of setting in order what would soon follow.

Joseph sits his brothers down to eat with him, but he did so in a very particular order, according to their birthright. At this point, it would be a shocking thing to learn that the “governor” of the Pharaoh knew their ages and family dynamic.

Additionally, Joseph gives Benjamin five times the food that any of his brothers received. To us, this signifies the grace that we are shown above our brethren.

In this study today, we now find ourselves looking on as Joseph sends his brothers back to their father.

Gen 44:1 And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man’s money in his sack’s mouth.
Gen 44:2 And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.
Gen 44:3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses.
Gen 44:4 And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
Gen 44:5 Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.
Gen 44:6 And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.

There are multiple layers of events happening in this story, so I want to break a few of them down and present to all of us a few things for which the Lord is admonishing us in this story.

Notice, it is directly the night before that Joseph sits his brothers down to eat with him in which he also blesses Benjamin with five messes.

Now, he is going to humble Benjamin by having him be the one in whom the “evil” work of stealing the silver cup is found. After all, Benjamin probably feels fairly good about being called out and distinguished above his brethren, especially being the youngest.

Remember, Benjamin typifies the chosen elect in this story, and the negative aspect of the word silver represents our self- righteousness and false doctrines.

It is very natural for our carnal mind to become puffed up with how the Lord is working in us. As such, we will be humbled before all of our brethren.

Isa 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Just like the evil that is brought to Joseph and Christ, we will see that the Lord associates this “evil” with the evil that is done at the hands of Joseph’s brothers.

You might be saying, “but it is Joseph who is setting the scenario up,” and you’d be exactly right. That is the very point we should be seeing.

In all of our lives, it is the Lord who sends famine, distresses, trials, tribulations and sufferings so that we will need to “go into Egypt” (Babylon in type and shadow) to find Him and temporary “relief”.

It is the Lord, typified by Joseph, who puts the “silver cup” in our sack so that He can then tell us we are to give account for having the cup.

Naturally, we rebel at the thought that a loving God would do such a thing. Naturally, we read that “God is love” and we say to ourselves that if this is love, we will have nothing to do with it. Thus, we are self- righteous and know better what to do than “the counsel of His own will”.

Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

I want to point out a very important point to this entire scenario. The “wrath” that the Lord our God pours out on “us” is being poured out on the old man and carnal- minded way of perceiving Him.

Even in this story, Joseph’s brothers still do not know that the Lord they speak with is SIMPLY their OWN kinfolk.

Christ was tempted in all ways like we are. He knows our sufferings. Like Christ, Joseph knew MUCH hardship before he came to this position of rulership and authority “over all of Egypt”.

Likewise, we too, must be put through our paces to reap what we sow so that we can be given this same type of rulership over “all of Egypt”, over all the land!

Before any of that can happen however, how is it we see and answer God on such matters and dealings with us?

Gen 44:7 And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:
Gen 44:8 Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord’s house silver or gold?
Gen 44:9 With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen.

They answer the “servant of the Lord” by telling him just how righteous they are. “See, we even brought back the money that we found in our sack so as to not steal from you,” but they don’t stop there.

In order to show their complete innocence in the matter, they place an oath upon their heads. “With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die AND we also will be your slaves.”

Joseph was sold for twenty pieces of silver and Christ was betrayed for the price of a slave.

Exo 21:28 If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.
Exo 21:29 But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.
Exo 21:30 If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.
Exo 21:31 Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him.
Exo 21:32 If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

Mat 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

This “calling out” of innocence seems eerily reminiscent of what Jacob tells Laban about stealing his gods.

Gen 31:25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.
Gen 31:26 And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword?
Gen 31:27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
Gen 31:28 And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.
Gen 31:29 It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.
Gen 31:30 And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father’s house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?
Gen 31:31 And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.
Gen 31:32 With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.

Had either Jacob known or Joseph’s brothers known that their loved ones would be the ones who were “guilty”, neither one would have made such strong oaths.

Of course, this is all just type and shadow to tell us and show us just how we think and act in similar circumstances.

The way we answer to God is very important. Do we have humble and contrite spirits which realize that whatever the Lord wants to do with the clay in His hands, He has the right to do?

Do we realize that clay cannot answer back to the hands that are forming it, “why have you made me thus?”

Rom 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
Rom 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Rom 9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
Rom 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

“Now also, let it be according to your words”

Given that we just read that man does indeed “repliest against God,” how is it that our Lord God will answer us back?

Eze 14:1 Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.
Eze 14:2 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Eze 14:3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?
Eze 14:4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;
Eze 14:5 That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.
Eze 14:6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
Eze 14:7 For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:

And what is His answer?

Luk 19:20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
Luk 19:21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
Luk 19:22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

So, now we find ourselves being admonished in this story of Joseph. We see that we have placed an oath on our own heads and out of our own mouths due to our sense of being righteous even though it is we who have sold our very brother as a slave.

Gen 44:10 And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.
Gen 44:11 Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.
Gen 44:12 And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.
Gen 44:13 Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.

Not only does the “servant of the Lord” say it will be to us according to our own words, but as he searches out, he does it very thoroughly. He starts from oldest to youngest, but just when they think they are justified in their hearts, wham!

Now, they have some explaining to do. Of course, they have been setup by Joseph but he is going to cause his plan to play itself out because ultimately he has a wonderful plan just like our Lord knows exactly what is going to happen with his plan.

However, Joseph’s brothers don’t know this or the details so they must live them out just as we do.

Gen 44:14 And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph’s house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.
Gen 44:15 And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?
Gen 44:16 And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.
Gen 44:17 And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.

We see much emphasis put on this silver cup. In this story, we have been focusing on the negative aspect of the word silver, but silver also has a positive application.

So, in Truth what cup are we really being told about, and in whose hand is it to be found while in this age?

Mar 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Luk 22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
Luk 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Luk 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Luk 22:21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.

1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

Luk 22:41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
Luk 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Mar 10:37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
Mar 10:38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
Mar 10:39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:

It is with the cup which Christ is given to drink that we too, are given to drink. After all, our hand is with Him on the same table.

It might dawn on you that Judas betrayed Christ, thus I am directly saying that we betray Christ and this is Truth.

However, as with all things in Christ and as we will see in this story with Joseph typifying Christ, it is THROUGH death that Life comes.

It is through drinking of the cup of the wrath of God that we will also be baptized with the baptism with which Christ is baptized.

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

What we are being shown in this story of Joseph and Him typifying Christ is the redeeming power of the cross.

It is at the altar we are able to EAT of these spiritual things, but first we must be brought to see ourselves just as we have been created to be initially.

God will pour of the wrath of His indignation on the old man, and the old man will know what is happening as judgment comes His way, i. e. the old man will know death!

Heb 13:10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
Heb 13:11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
Heb 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

For those who are given eyes that see and ears that hear, the silver cup is very important!

“Plead before the Lord”

Gen 44:18 Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.
Gen 44:19 My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
Gen 44:20 And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.
Gen 44:21 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.
Gen 44:22 And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.
Gen 44:23 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.
Gen 44:24 And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.
Gen 44:25 And our father said, Go again, and buy us a little food.
Gen 44:26 And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man’s face, except our youngest brother be with us.
Gen 44:27 And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two sons:
Gen 44:28 And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:
Gen 44:29 And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
Gen 44:30 Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad’s life;
Gen 44:31 It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.
Gen 44:32 For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.
Gen 44:33 Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.
Gen 44:34 For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.

As we have just read, it is Judah who “gives an account” to Joseph of the scenario in which they have been placed.

The Lord is very particular in how He presents these admonitions to us, and it is no coincidence that it is “out of the tribe of Judah” that we are given a voice as to the accounting we must give.

It is when we have realized that the cup of this “great evil” is in our very hand, that we are finally able to give an accurate account to the Lord so that true and righteous judgment can be given to us.

In this happening to us, the old man’s self- righteous mind will be put to death, but the new man will emerge from the ashes.

Thus, Christ will finally reveal Himself to us!

Gen 45:1 Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.

In the next study, we will continue to see how the Lord works His awesome hands so that redemption and salvation are given to His people, and He alone stands in His mighty work.