Almonds

“Now the famine was severe in the land.  So it came about when they had finished eating the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, ‘Go back, buy us a little food.’  Judah spoke to him, however, saying, ‘The man solemnly warned us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’…

“Then Israel said, ‘Why did you treat me so badly by telling the man whether you still had another brother?’  But they said, ‘The man questioned particularly about us and our relatives, saying, ‘Is your father still alive?  Have you another brother?’ So we answered his questions.  Could we possibly know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?’

“Judah said to his father Israel, ‘Send the lad with me and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, we as well as you and our little ones.  I myself will be surety for him; you may hold me responsible for him.  If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame before you forever.  For if we had not delayed, surely by now we could have returned twice.’

“Then their father Israel said to them, ‘If it must be so then do this:  take some of the best products of the land in your bags and carry down to the man as a present, a little balm and a little honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. 

“’Take double the money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was a mistake.  Take your brother also, and arise, return to the man; and may God Almighty grant you compassion in the sight of the man, so that he will release to you your other brother and Benjamine.  And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.’” Genesis 43:1-11 (selected)

We probably do not imagine food as a teaching tool.  Yet, here God created a far-reaching famine to teach Israel, the father of this future great family the value of ALL his sons in a new and painful, way.  The brothers learned the consequences of their jealousy and decision to sell their brother to the Ishmaelites. 

To restore their family, Israel had to search his heart and trust the Lord with the life of his precious son, and sacrifice wealth and food treasures, such as almonds, to influence the man in Egypt – even before they knew the truth. 

Take care with love, especially His, from Darlene, who still prays for you each day.