Joseph’s brothers protested against the accusation of theft. They were indignant, even offended, that such men as themselves would be accused. They appealed to their character and their righteousness against the charge, “far be it from your servants,” “how then could we steal.” Their protest against the specific charge was genuine since they had been set up by Joseph. Yet when the silver cup was discovered they tore their clothes and fell down. They confessed before Joseph “God has found out the iniquity of your servants.”

Isn’t it odd that these scoundrels, liars, kidnappers, and band of immoral men would appeal to their character in declaration of their innocence? Ironically, they were innocent with respect to the cup – but they were guilty regarding so much greater injustice. Yet they were hard hearted toward their own sinfulness and blinded to their true guilt.

This turn of events affected Judah the most among all the brothers since he had made his own sons surety for the safe return of Benjamin. Interestingly, when they had returned from their first trip to Egypt it was Reuben who offered his son in surety for Benjamin. Reuben was the least guilty among the brothers since he tried to rescue Joseph. Reuben’s offer was refused by his father. But later, a similar offer from Judah was accepted. As the ringleader of the kidnapping and now with his sons at stake, Judah stood at the center of conviction. Events arranged themselves so that this guilty one was brought to his knees. It was Judah who said it – “how can we justify ourselves?” Though still blind to his real sin, and hardened to the extent of sin in his own heart, God brought him to repentance using a silver cup.

It’s amazing how God patiently makes arrangements in my life to bring about conviction. How often small unexpected things in my life get revealed – things relatively minor in comparison to other deeper sins that are much more dishonoring to God.

I am so resistant to conviction and I often protest my innocence when God reveals a hidden silver cup of sin concealed in my sack of deeds. “I didn’t know that was there,” I protest – “I didn’t put it there,” I object. But protest is useless – there it is. And like Joseph’s brothers I protest in vain because such cups are small things – I am actually guilty of so much more. But a small thing, objectively revealed, breaks my heart and God in His mercy brings me to repentance. It is merciful of God when He accomplishes my repentance and contrition through gentleness – knowing that I often cannot bear the direct disclosure of the deepest sins of my heart. So He prepares me for such disclosures by humbling me and granting me a contrite and broken spirit – with smaller things first. Then, bowed down, found out, I am prepared to face my real sin – just as Joseph’s brothers would soon realize who they were caught by – and be faced with what they really had done.

O Lord. Thank you for your tender mercy and steadfast love. Thank you for sneaking in those silver cups – designed and arranged to convict me of sin. Thank you that you don’t usually reveal the deepest things immediately – but that you architect my repentance so that I am not crushed. Yet you do reveal. I will see the betrayals of my own heart – but thank you Lord that as you reveal you also remind me of my forgiveness, complete in Christ and secured by the cross. You are good – and your lovingkindness lasts forever. Amen.