A Time of Transition: Simeon's release

1/17/2008 8:40 AM

SPIRITUAL DIARY

My Worship Time                  Focus:  A time of transition:  Simeon’s release

Bible Reading & Meditation             Reference:  Genesis 43:23b

            Message of the verse:  “Then he brought Simeon out to them.”

            There are a lot of things packed into this small statement.  I am sure that Simeon’s brothers were very thankful that he was okay and also I believe it was a sight for sore eyes for Simeon to see Benjamin.  I wonder what kind of treatment he was given while in prison, and I wonder if he was like the ringleader of his brothers that caused Joseph to be sold down into Egypt?  I also wonder if Simeon learned anything from being in confinement for the months that he was there.  I believe that Simeon was one of the brothers along with Levi who took revenge for the raping of their sister by killing a whole town of men.  Jacob seems to bring this up whenever he is on his death bed recorded in Genesis 49:5.  All of the brothers are all reunited again, the first time in a long time.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Simeon was going through a trial while he was put in confinement by Joseph, and it is not clear from these verses whether or not he had learned anything from being in confinement.  Joseph did learn from his thirteen years of trials and grew spiritually from those trials.  The things that God is testing me with now are difficult things and it has always been my prayer as I go through these things that I would become better and not bitter, that I would not just want to get through these tests, but would want to learn and grow from them so that I can be a stronger believer.

My Steps of Faith for Today:  I pray that I will continue to grow in my faith and trust in my Lord and live a life that will bring honor and glory to Him.  I pray that the Lord will aid me in making my prayer life better.