Genesis 44

The Test Is Set Up

Genesis 44:1–5 NASB95

Then he commanded his house steward, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack. “Put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his money for the grain.” And he did as Joseph had told him. As soon as it was light, the men were sent away, they with their donkeys. They had just gone out of the city, and were not far off, when Joseph said to his house steward, “Up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? ‘Is not this the one from which my lord drinks and which he indeed uses for divination? You have done wrong in doing this.’ ”

Joseph send his brothers back home with the food they asked for. However, he also put his silver cup in Benjamin’s bag. Joseph did this to see how his brothers would respond. Would they desert their brother Benjamin and make a run for the hills or would they be committed to their brother and stay? This was a test to see if his brothers had changed and demonstrated a repentant heart for their life of wickedness.

God Tests Us

There will be times in our life that God is going to test us. You may ask, “how are we tested by God?” Let me give you a few passages of scripture that show this. James 1:2-4

James 1:2–4 NASB95

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

First we see that we should see the testing of God a source of joy. Understanding that the joy s not in the testing, but what the testing brings about. It affords us an opportunity to draw nearer to God and experience Him in ways that He can reveal Himself to us.

Second notice that the testing comes in the trials of life. Trials take many different forms. Just as these that James are writing to faced various trials. They had left their homes to go to places that they were unwelcomed, mistreated and taken advantage of. You can imagine the personal strain as well as the strain on the family. They found themselves in a difficult situation for doing the right thing. They were being faithful to Christ. These are some of the reasons:

1. To Reveal the Quality of Your Foundation

Trials act as a "stress test" for what you believe. When things are going well, it’s easy to have faith; when life gets difficult, the true source of your strength is revealed.

The Analogy: Much like the parable of the house built on the rock versus the sand, a storm doesn't create the foundation—it simply reveals whether or not it was there to begin with.

2. To Produce Perseverance and Maturity

In many scriptures, particularly in the New Testament (James 1:2-4), trials are described as the necessary ingredient for growth.

The Process: Testing produces endurance. Just as a muscle must be torn down through exercise to grow back stronger, faith often requires the "resistance" of a trial to reach a level of maturity that couldn't be achieved in comfort.

3. To Shift Focus from the Temporary to the Eternal

Trials often involve the loss of things we rely on—money, health, or status. By shaking these "earthly" pillars, the test encourages a person to lean more heavily on the "eternal."

The Result: This often leads to a deeper prayer life and a more focused spiritual perspective, as the distractions of a comfortable life are stripped away.

4. To Prepare You for a Greater Purpose

Sometimes a trial is a form of "training." By going through a specific hardship, you gain a unique brand of empathy and wisdom that allows you to help others in the future.

The Outcome: Your "test" becomes your "testimony." You are refined so that you can become a more effective instrument for service or leadership.

Thirdly, notice that trials can sometimes long-lasting and severe by using the word endurance. I am reminded of Job. He lost his family, possessions, and even his health. This put a strain on his marriage. You remember Job’s wife's response to the trials and Job’s response Job 2:9-10

Job 2:9–10 NASB95

Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

The Bible doesn’t say how long Job’s trial lasted, but based on the severity of it, it probably was several months.

Finally, the testing makes us perfect, complete and lacking in nothing. Some of the most successful people are the ones who have had the greatest suffering. The greatest athletes have suffered in their training. The greatest business owners are the one’s who have lost the most money on failed businesses (Dave Ramsey). The greatest ministers are the one’s who have suffered personally.

The pain of suffering has a way of driving a person to be the best they can be. God tests us so that we can be the best we can be for Him!

The Brothers Response

Genesis 44:7–9 NASB95

They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing. “Behold, the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks we have brought back to you from the land of Canaan. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? “With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s slaves.”

The brothers knew that they were not guilty of the accusation, so they issued a punishment if they could be proven guilty of their accusation. The punishment would not only affect the one guilty but would affect them all.

Keep in mind that the brothers are innocent of the accusation of stealing, but they had been framed by Joseph. This wasn’t fair, but it did not change the circumstances.

The cup was found in Benjamin’s bag and they responded with tremendous grief. Gen 44:13

Genesis 44:13 NASB95

Then they tore their clothes, and when each man loaded his donkey, they returned to the city.

Tearing of their clothes was a symbol of mourning. They mourned over the perceived sin that had been committed. Though the brothers were free to go back home they chose to return to the city.

Genesis 44:10 NASB95

So he said, “Now let it also be according to your words; he with whom it is found shall be my slave, and the rest of you shall be innocent.”

This demonstrated a heart change. Twenty years ago the deserted, abandoned, and sold Joseph into slavery. They received 20 pieces of silver for their brother Joseph. I find it interesting that the very thing they received was the very thing they were being condemned of stealing (silver cup) .

Notice that the brothers did not blame Benjamin for what he did, but stayed committed to him even though he was the one found to have the silver cup. They owned the mistake and took responsibility for it. They were going to do what was necessary to try to save their brother’s life.

Our response to testing

As we talked about, God will test us. So the question is how will we respond. There are two types of responses. Those that fail the trial test and those that pass the trial test. Let’s look at both.

Failing the test

A "failing" response is rooted in rebellion or self-protection.

1. Bitterness and Resentment (The Israelites)

After being delivered from Egypt, the Israelites faced the "test" of the wilderness (lack of water and food). Instead of trusting, they became bitter and "failed" by grumbling against God’s leadership.

"And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 'What shall we drink?'" — Exodus 15:24Later, God notes: "None of the men who have seen my glory... and yet have put me to the proof these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, shall see the land..." — Numbers 14:22-23

2. Self-Reliance and Shortcuts (King Saul)

Saul was told to wait for the prophet Samuel to offer a sacrifice before going to battle. When he saw his army scattering out of fear (the test), he took matters into his own hands and offered the sacrifice himself.

"Samuel said to Saul, 'You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God... now your kingdom shall not continue.'" — 1 Samuel 13:13-14

3. Numbing and Escape (The Disciples in Gethsemane)

In the ultimate hour of testing, the disciples "failed" the test of watchfulness by succumbing to physical exhaustion and emotional "checking out."

"And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, 'Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.'" — Mark 14:37-38

"Passing" the Test

A "passing" response is rooted in surrender and expectant endurance.

1. Lament with Trust (Job)

Job lost everything—his wealth, his children, and his health. While he wept and questioned, he never turned away from God.

"Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.'" — Job 1:20-21

2. Active Endurance (James)

The New Testament defines "passing" as allowing the trial to complete its work of maturing the believer.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." — James 1:2-4

3. Self-Examination (The Refiner’s Fire)

The Bible often uses the imagery of precious metals to describe how God uses trials to remove "dross" (sin/pride).

"Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction." — Isaiah 48:10

How we do on the test will determine the duration of the test!

Judah’s Repentance

Genesis 44:32–34 NASB95

“For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then let me bear the blame before my father forever.’ “Now, therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. “For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me—for fear that I see the evil that would overtake my father?”

Judah begged Joseph to take him instead of Benjamin. He was sacrificing himself so that Benjamin could live and the life of his dad Jacob would continue. Judah was the very one that convinced his brothers to sell Joseph. Gen 37:26-27

Genesis 37:26–27 NASB95

Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood? “Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.

We see here a different Judah. Where he once was filled with jealousy and selfishness, he is now full of compassion and selflessness Judah has demonstrated a repentant heart. This is a inward heart change that manifests itself by outward change.

God’s testing brings about repentance in our lives.

Often times we think of repentance as turning away from sin. That is certainly an aspect of repentance. However repentance is much broader than just turning from sin. The Greek word is Metanoia. It means to have an inward or heart change.

God uses testing to change our hearts. Whether it is to correct a sin or sanctify us, the result is repentance.

Conclusion

Are you in a season of testing? (Trials)

How are you currently responding? (Pass or Fail)

How is God changing your heart through this testing? (Repentance)

Understand that trials are a part of life to make us better. Lean into Christ for what is necessary to pass the test. Rejoice in the repentant heart that the Lord has brought about!