We are in chapter 42 of Genesis with our word for today. צָרַ֥ת need, distress, anxiety, enmity. It is used 70 times in the Old Testament. The idea of our word is our trouble is so great that we cry out for help. God himself is the one that is pleaded to the most in the uses of our word. Genesis 35:3 Then let us arise and go up to Bethel, so that I may make there an altar to the God who answers me in the day of my צָֽרָתִ֔י distress and has been with me wherever I have gone. 1 Samuel 26:24 Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he deliver me out of all צָרָֽה tribulation. 2 Samuel 4:9 But David answered…As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life out of every צָרָֽה adversity. Psalm 34:6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his צָ֝רוֹתָ֗יו troubles. Psalm 50:14-15 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of צָרָ֑ה trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.
We only see our word used twice in the context of people asking other people for help in their distress. And both times it doesn’t end well. Proverbs 25:19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of צָרָֽה trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips. And the other time is in our chapter today. Genesis 42:21 Then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the צָרַ֥תdistress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this הַצָּרָ֖הdistress has come upon us.” Did you catch that play on our word? When Joseph begged them from the distress of his soul not to do that to him they ignored him so now distress is happening to them. Joseph’s plan to test them by setting up the circumstances to make them face their own sin against him is working. They even say to each other, “What is this that God has done to us?” in verse 28 and in verse 22 “Reuben answered them, ‘Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.’” They are clearly now forced to face their guilt which again is a good thing because if they trust God with their guilt it will lead them to forgiveness and gladness. As well as provide the possibility for reconciling with their brother that they did all of this evil toward. I’ll close with this encouraging reminder of how great our God is for us. Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in בְ֝צָר֗וֹתtrouble.
