Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house. "Fill the men's sacks with as much food as they can carry. Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one's sack, along with the silver for his grain."
Genesis 44:1-2 (NIV)
As Joseph gave this command, his heart may have been in his mouth. Would his half brothers prove they had learned from their mistake in sending him into slavery, or were they the same unreliable men he'd dealt with years before? The cup left in Benjamin's bag was designed to test the brother's character and perhaps save Benjamin from a similar fate, if they proved unfaithful. When their youngest brother was accused of theft, would his half brothers stand beside him or silently watch him go into slavery?
Egypt's prime minister was no fool where his family was concerned. But he also understood God's forgiveness and the need to pass it on to his siblings. So he created this perfect plan that helped him assess the situation. Joseph wanted to trust but also had to verify their characters.
Just because we love God and follow His commands, we are not expected to accept just any promise from people who have failed us. That's not faith or forgiveness but foolishness. Trust is earned, not given on a whim.
People are complex beings who often fail us and themselves. Only God's wisdom sees into other's hearts. Before making a major decision involving others, let's verify it with Him.
Excerpt from: "Letting Go & Trusting God" by Pamela L. McQuade
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