ALL THESE THINGS ARE AGAINST ME

"And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me." – Genesis 42:36

OVER THIRTEEN YEARS had passed since Joseph, Jacob's favorite son, had been seen. Jacob was endeared to Joseph because he was "the son of his old age" (Gen 37:3). After having sold their younger brother into slavery, Joseph's brothers had brought his blood-stained coat to their father, asking if that was Joseph's coat. Jacob concluded an evil beast had devoured his son, tearing him into pieces (Gen 37:32-33). It was a sad day, indeed, for the aging patriarch.

NOW, THIRTEEN YEARS LATER,, a hard famine had struck the land, causing hope to wither. Hearing that Egypt had a supply of grain, Jacob charged his sons to go and purchase grain for them so they could live and not die (Gen 42:2-3). Ten of the brothers went, leaving Benjamin, whom Jacob "did not send," reasoning, "Lest some calamity befall him" (42:4).

UNBEKNOWN TO JACOB, Joseph was not dead at all. Instead, he was actually "the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land" (42:6). As soon as his brothers came, Joseph recognized them, but acted like a stranger before them. He remembered the dreams he had about them, and subtly chided them by saying they were spies trying to find unprotected parts of Egypt (v 9-12). If they wanted to prove they were not spies, he told them, they would have to bring their youngest brother to him. The words rang in their ears, stirring all kinds of conviction in their hearts: "Bring your youngest brother unto me" (v 20).

UPON RETURNING HOME, the brothers gave the message to their father. When he heard the demand, Jacob replied, "You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me." Indeed, it did appear that way, but nothing could have been further from the truth. Joseph was alive and well, Benjamin was not going to be lost, Simeon was well, and Jacob was about to receive one of the greatest blessings of his life. The circumstances were not against him at all.

OH, CHILD OF GOD, Jacob is not the last person to be struck down with hopelessness, fearing everything was against him. One of the great infirmities of the flesh is that of ignorance – not being able to see what the Lord is doing. Great men of God have been driven to despair by their circumstances – men like David (Psa 18:4), Elijah (1 Kgs 19:10), and Paul (2 Cor 1:8). But faith enabled them to recover. It will do the same for you also.

THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE, grievous though they be, cannot change the facts. God is keeping you from falling. The angels are faithfully ministering to you. The Lord Jesus ever lives to intercede for you. The Holy Spirit is strengthening you within. And, your heavenly Father is "working all things together" for your good. That is the way things really are. Our God will "never leave" us or "forsake" us. That is His promise (Heb 13:5). So, when the experiences of life seem to be against you, ask the Lord to help your unbelief. He will do so, and you will again be joyful–in the midst of trial.– Given O. Blakely