Treasures in a Sack

I read this morning about Joseph’s brothers.   They traveled to Egypt to buy grain.  When they got there, Joseph recognized them, but they did not recognize him.  They bought their grain, then Joseph had their sacks filled and loaded on their donkeys . . . with a little surprise.  On the way back home, they stopped to take a break.  When they opened their sacks, they found their money in the top of the grain sack.   Now they thought they were being framed.  It looked like they got the grain but never paid for it.  So they high-tailed it home with the grain AND the money.

In time, the grain ran out and they had to go back for more.  When they got there, Joseph had them shuffled off to his house.  As they entered the house, they were afraid they were walking into a trap.  They were sure to be in trouble for taking the grain and not paying for it.   So they confessed to Joseph’s steward and the steward says “Everything is fine.  Don’t be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks.  I had your money.”   The steward knew they had paid.  He was the one that put the money back in the sacks.  But he also knew that it was God who controlled it all.  It was God who really gave the treasure. 

God has given you treasure in your sacks.  I don’t know why, but I just like the sound of that.   I think maybe it has special meaning in an economy that seems out of control.  Perhaps it serves as a gentle reminder that regardless of who signs my paycheck, it is God who really provides, often in unexpected ways.   Or maybe, perhaps, it’s that it seems to convey a spiritual truth in a slightly whimsical way.  Whatever the reason, I can’t help but grin a little when I realize that God can and will use others to surprise me with a treasure . . . in a sack.

See Genesis 42 & 43