Definition: And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, [it is] even in my sack: and their heart failed [them], and they were afraid, saying one to another, What [is] this [that] God hath done unto us?
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 42:28. It's a really dramatic and unsettling passage in the Bible! Here’s a simplified explanation: The Core Story: Joseph is being held captive. This verse tells us that Joseph, one of Jacob’s twelve sons, was taken away by his father, Jacob, and placed in a prison. God is intervening. The key point is that God is actively dealing with this situation. He's not just letting things happen; He's manipulating events to protect someone important. What’s Happening – It’s a Puzzle: “My money is restored…” This seems like a normal thing for Joseph in prison. But the verse immediately follows: "and, lo, [it is] even in my sack.” "Sack" means a prison cell or container. “And their heart failed [them].” This is HUGE. The people in Joseph's prison – his brothers, and even some of the other prisoners – are utterly defeated by fear. Their hearts have completely abandoned them. They’re paralyzed with terror. “They were saying one to another…” The prisoners are whispering and arguing, trying to understand what’s happening. So, What Does it Mean? This verse is a powerful illustration of God's power and a bit unsettling in its detail. It suggests: God is controlling events: He isn't just passively letting things unfold; he’s actively working against the prisoners. Fear as a weapon: The prisoners' fear is a tool that God is using to hinder them. A test of faith: The verse implies that this situation is a test for Joseph and his brothers, forcing them to confront God’s power and their own weakness. It's important to note: The exact details are debated among scholars, but the overall message remains clear: God is actively manipulating events to protect someone, even at great cost. --- Do you want me to explain any of these aspects in more detail? For example, I could go into a little bit about: The context of Joseph’s imprisonment The symbolism of the “sack” The theological implications of this story