Servants of the Cup

(Genesis 44:1-17) says, “And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth. 2 And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.

3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses. 4 And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? 5 Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.

6 And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words. 7 And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing: 8 Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold? 9 With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen.

10 And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words; he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.

11 Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack. 12 And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. 13 Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city. 14 And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.

15 And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?

16 And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.

17 And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.”

You have to imagine that Benjamin must have thought this was all a cruel joke. He knew he had not taken ‘the cup,” but the fact was “the cup” was in his sack, which made him Joseph’s servant.

What Benjamin, nor any of his brothers realized was that “the cup” was actually going to be the tool to bring provision to their whole family. What was appearing to be punishment was actually God’s plan for provision!

The first time Joseph’s brothers came to visit him, (Genesis 42:25) records that “Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man’s money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way.” Now, they’ve come a second time, and (Genesis 44) records that again, they filled their sacks with as much food as they could carry, and money, but this time Joseph had “the cup” planted in Benjamin’s sack.

Joseph realized that eventually the food was going to run out, and the money was going to be spent, so he set it up in a way that because of “the cup” being found in Benjamin’s sack he would become his servant. It is amazing to me to see the level of “submission” given by Benjamin, that even though he didn’t understand it, he submitted to it and as a result of his submission, God provided for his whole family by having them move to Egypt.

Joseph wasn’t even the king, he was simply the authority, but because Benjamin “submitted” his own personal will, provision was given!

It’s sad, but I know of people who would’ve argued with Joseph, and chose rather to go back home without any food and money and watch their families starve, rather than submit to the authority in their life!

PROVISION is ONLY found in SUBMISSION!

That brings us to the garden of Gethsemane where (Matthew 26:36-44) says, “Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.”

Here we find Jesus struggling with the reality of what “the cup” is requiring of Him. It’s so intense that He’s actually praying “IF it be possible, let this CUP pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt,” and “If this CUP may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.”

Again the principle of “submission” comes into play and as a result of Jesus Christ submitting His personal will to the will of the Father, the provision of Salvation is made possible as He becomes a “Servant of the Cup!”

If we’re going to receive the provisions of the Kingdom, it is necessary that we become “Servants of the Cup” and SUBMIT to what ‘the cup” requires!

Are you willing to submit to “the cup?”

Are you willing to submit your will for the sake of provision not just for yourself, but for your whole family?

Are you willing to give up WHATEVER “the cup” requires?

Are you wiling to walk away from WHATEVER “the cup” requires?

Are you willing to get rid of WHATEVER “the cup” requires?

If Benjamin had not submitted and become a “Servant of the Cup,” his whole family would have eventually starved to death!

If Jesus Christ had not submitted and become a “Servant of the Cup,” the gift of Salvation; Deliverance; Healing; and Provision would NOT be possible!

Are you willing to become a “Servant of the Cup?”