What is the first thing that comes to mind reading the words, “I never saw that coming”? Was it a physical, relational or spiritual experience? I can think of examples of almost every facet of life! The day to day unpredictability. The squirrel running across the street, the inattentive driver, or the notification that your account has been hacked. Some experiences leave us anxious, angry, discouraged and disheartened. Some change our lives in ways we never imagined. I seem to recall the upsetting moments without much effort. Why do you suppose that is? If someone offends or misunderstands me, I can recall details. If I offended another person, I may have to think about it for a while before remembering. The idiom, when the shoe is on the other foot pinches comes to mind. 

Fortunately, for the brothers of Joseph, his recall was not how they sold him and wished him dead.

In Genesis 44 the brothers now returned to Egypt to buy more grain and Benjamin accompanied them this time around. Joseph did order his servants to put their sacks of money, along with his personal silver cup to be put in Benjamin’s sack. The next morning, the brothers begin the journey home and not much later, Joseph’s steward catches up with them. He accuses them of wickedness and the brothers are shocked. How could they have any money, when what they brought with them paid for the grain in their sacks? They declare that if any one of them committed any wrong, they should die, and the rest become Joseph’s servants. One by one, they lower their sacks to the ground and the cup is found with Benjamin. They never saw it coming.

They tore their clothes, signifying the death of the promise they made to their elderly father and likely the death of Benjamin. They returned to Joseph's house and he was still there. He repeated what the steward had said. How could you commit this wickedness?

Judah speaks up and asks to be heard. He asked “that my lord not let his anger burn against his servant, for he is like Pharaoh himself”. Judah then recalls the first trip, the questions they were asked and what their responses were to Joseph. Ending in Genesis 44:34, he says, “For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father.” There is no way they could have ever seen this coming. They convinced Jacob that Benjamin had to come with or there would be no grain. They made the long, dusty, hunger filled journey. They did not lie or steal or cheat anyone and now they were being accused in a foreign land.

Chapter 45 begins with Joseph unable to control himself any longer. He orders the servants to leave and he makes himself known to his brothers. He wept and asked about his father, asking if he was still alive.

“But his brothers could not answer him for they were dismayed at his presence. So, Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land for these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry.” Genesis 45:1-9

There is no way any of them would have seen this coming. God's ways are not our ways. His plans and purposes are for our good and His glory. Our infinite God, the Creator of all life knows best. We do not. Expect the unexpected. Look for God to show up in the day to day ordinary, in both the wonderful and strained relationships you have and tell others of the great and unexpected things that He has done.

What experience comes to mind when asked if you saw it coming? How were you touched knowing God was in control all along?