14Then Joseph said to them, “Just as I said, you are spies! 15And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. 16Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be confined so that the truth of your words may be tested. If they are untrue, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!”
17So Joseph imprisoned them for three days, 18and on the third day he said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God. 19If you are honest, leave one of your brothers in custody while the rest of you go and take back grain to relieve the hunger of your households. 20Then bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be verified, that you may not die.”
And to this they consented.
21Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.”
22But Reuben replied: “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!”
A guilty conscience haunts us until we correct the sins that caused the guilt. But in the hands of God it is putty and He molds and shapes it any way He wants.
God had Joseph remember the dreams for a purpose and God had Joseph put his brothers in prison so they would remember their guilt of what they did to Joseph.
They all needed to be restored and healed.
Restoration is a slow process and restoration is coming.
“Distress has come upon us.” “Now we must account for his blood!” They told the lie so many times about Joseph they began to believe it themselves.
Are you haunted by a guilty conscience?
Blessings, David
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