A Present for the Man

Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags and carry a present down to the man, a little balm and a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.”

- Genesis 43:17

‘Tis the season. Have you been buying gifts? Some of you are probably finished. Good for you. To the rest of us, have you at least started thinking about gifts you want to give? We are so blessed. Many of us will try to find a good gift in the next few days for someone who, like most of us, does not really need anything. It sounds like an ad for some luxury item: “What can you give the person who has everything?”

Jacob and his sons had a similar problem. A severe famine had come and they were starving. Crops failed, stores of grain were exhausted. But there was still grain in Egypt. The sons had already been to Egypt once

MIKE McElroy Columnist

to buy grain. The man in charge spoke roughly to them, accused them of spying and detained one of their brothers. He told them not to return without their youngest brother. On the way home, they were terrified when they found their money still in the sacks with the grain they went to buy. Through all this, they didn’t recognize that the powerful man was actually their long-lost and presumed dead brother, Joseph.

When fear of starving overcame their other fears, Jacob finally agreed to let Benjamin go to Egypt. Jacob wanted to send a present to the prime minister—a token, a little gift to the big man. The grain bins were empty, but they did have some fruit, honey, spices and nuts they could put into

Bethlehem East Baptist Church will have all Sunday school classes beginning at 9:45 a.m. Sunday morning followed by regular service at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. We will continue with Facebook Live Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and Worship Service at 11 a.m.

Carrville Baptist Church

Regular hours of service are Sundays- 9 a.m. Sunday School and 10 a.m. Morning Worship.

Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. the church offers Children’s Gospel Project, Youth Bible Study and Adult Prayer Meeting. Regular office hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

a gift basket. Joseph didn’t need the things they would give him. They were trying to win the favor of the man who held the grain they needed and their lives in his hands.

Most of the gifts we’ll give (or receive) this Christmas will be like that. It’s not that we are giving or getting to meet some dire need. Our presents are thoughtful gestures, tokens of affection and appreciation. Gift-giving is a thoughtful way to express love and friendship.

Can you also see a picture of our giving to God in Jacob’s gift? What can someone who is starving give the man who has everything? How about a little fruit basket? That’s what Jacob had and what he gave. God, who is infinitely greater than the greatest man, does not need anything we humans have to give. God needs nothing, and cannot be enriched by any offering. God put it this way in Psalm 50:12: “If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world, and its fullness are mine.” When David prayed over the