(Meant for Good 5) A Test of Grace
Published by Olwin Gosal in 2026 · 26 July 2026
(Meant for Good 5)
A Test of Grace
Brothers and sisters, I believe all of us have gone through different kinds of tests—during school, when looking for a job, and in many other situations. We prepare ourselves by studying, and sometimes we feel anxious, wondering if we will pass the test or not. In the end, when the results are not what we hoped for, we begin to ask, “Why do there have to be tests?” We may think that tests only exist to make us fail or to make us feel ashamed in front of others who did well.
But what about the tests that come from God? Are His tests meant to make us fail? Are they meant to make us feel ashamed? Or is He testing us because He wants to reveal what He is doing in us? Or is He testing us to shape our hearts?
Let us continue our study of Joseph’s life. Today we will look at Genesis 42–44. Our theme today is A Test of Grace.
1. God Uses Suffering for His Purpose
In Genesis 41:57, “…because the famine was severe everywhere.” Because of this famine, Genesis 42:1–5 tells us that Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain. Only Benjamin did not go because Jacob was afraid. He thought, “…something might happen to him.”
When they arrived in Egypt, Joseph was already the governor, and he was the one selling grain. When Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them immediately, but they did not recognize him. Then Genesis 42:9 says, “Then he remembered his dreams about them…”
Brothers and sisters, this first section shows us that God used the famine to bring Joseph and his brothers together. This was the beginning of God’s plan to restore a broken family. It was also the beginning of God’s work to restore the lives of Joseph’s brothers. God used their suffering as a blessing that would lead to restoration. How could they have met Joseph if God had not allowed the famine to happen? This shows us that God was in control of everything. Joseph had already explained this in the passage we studied last week. Pharaoh’s dreams about the seven years of abundance and the seven years of famine came from God, and God wanted to accomplish something through them.
What did God want to do? He wanted to restore the hearts of individuals, restore a family, and restore a nation that He would use for His purpose. Brothers and sisters, many times it is not God’s blessings that change people’s hearts, but suffering. God can use suffering to lead people to seek Him. God can also use suffering to renew our hearts and lead us to repentance. Brothers and sisters, what suffering or difficulty are you facing today? Let us ask the Lord, “What do You want to do through the suffering that I am experiencing?”
Believe this, brothers and sisters: suffering that comes from God is a beautiful test. It is not meant to destroy our lives, but to bring us closer to Him, to help us surrender more fully to Him, and to help us see His endless blessings and unfailing love in our lives.
2. God’s Test Brings Awareness of Sin
In Genesis 42:9–17, Joseph intentionally tested his brothers by accusing them of being spies. Then, to test whether they were telling the truth, he said in Genesis 42:20, “But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” When Joseph said this, they remembered the sin they had committed against him. In Genesis 42:21–22, it says, “They said to one another, ‘Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.’ Reuben replied, ‘Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” From these verses, we see that Joseph’s brothers began to realize and regret the sin they had committed against him. This was the first time they truly recognized their guilt, even though the event had happened about twenty years earlier. The test that God gave them through Joseph led them to recognize and begin to repent of their sin. This was clearly the work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts.
God’s tests are never meant to make us sin more or to separate us from Him. Instead, God often uses trials to help us reflect on our past sins, repent, and return to the path that He desires for us. Brothers and sisters, sometimes when we go through suffering, we need to reflect and ask, “Lord, are You using this trial to remind me of a sin that I have not yet confessed and dealt with before You?” However, we must also remember that not every trial comes to remind us of sin. God has many purposes when He allows us to go through tests.
3. God’s Test Comes to Renew Our Hearts
Brothers and sisters, why did Joseph ask his brothers to bring Benjamin? And after they brought him before Joseph, was it just a coincidence that Joseph told his servant to put the silver cup into Benjamin’s sack so that it would appear he had stolen it? Certainly not! God had a purpose. He was testing their hearts and their attitudes. Would they continue living the same way they had before? Or had their hearts truly changed?
In Genesis 37, we read that they planned to kill Joseph, but they did not because of Reuben’s words. Instead, they threw Joseph into a pit, and at Judah’s suggestion, they sold him as a slave. They did all of this because of the evil in their hearts, their hatred, their jealousy, and their selfish desires. That is why God used Joseph to test his brothers. Would they do the same thing to Benjamin? Would they sacrifice Benjamin for their own benefit? Would they once again show no mercy by separating Benjamin from their father?
In Genesis 44:12, it says, “…the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.” Because of this, Joseph declared that Benjamin would become his slave. Then Genesis 44:18–34 tells us how Judah pleaded with Joseph. He explained how deeply their father loved Benjamin and that he could not bear to lose him. Therefore, Judah said in Genesis 44:32–34, “Your servant guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father. I said, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!’ Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father.” Years earlier, Judah had said, “Let us sell Joseph.” But now he says, “Please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy.”
This is clear evidence of a heart that had been transformed. Judah was now willing to sacrifice himself. With a sincere heart, he showed compassion for both his father and Benjamin. This is the evidence of true repentance. Real repentance happens in the heart and produces a changed life. This passage is also very beautiful because Judah’s willingness to take Benjamin’s place points us to Christ. It is a picture of Jesus, who came to take the place of sinful people.
We did nothing to earn our salvation because none of our works can save us. But what Christ has done saves us and restores our relationship with God. Brothers and sisters, Jesus did not come through the family line of Joseph, but through Judah—a sinner whom God transformed. The same God today also desires to transform us so that He can use us for His wonderful purpose. Let us say to God: “Lord, I am willing to be changed by You.”
Conclusion
* When God allows suffering, He always has a beautiful purpose. Do not waste your difficult seasons, because God may be shaping your heart.
* God’s tests can make us aware of our sin. Therefore, do not ignore the voice of the Holy Spirit when He speaks to your heart.
* God’s tests can renew our hearts, attitudes, and actions. They are evidence of God’s love, calling us back to Him.
* Be thankful because Jesus Christ became our substitute. There is no greater act than the love of the One who was willing to take the place of sinners like us.