1.  Jacob was subjected to what J. Oswald Sanders, in the book Spiritual Leadership calls a searching test of leadership, the impossible situation.  Sanders concludes: “The bracing lesson is that God delights to shut people up to Himself and then, in response to their trust, display His power and grace in doing the impossible.”

2.  When we do not look for God in our situations (as Jacob in Genesis 43) we become negative, pessimistic, resigned to life’s curves, indecisive, and reluctant to lead.  We turn to self-pity and blame.

3.  Genesis 43 provides us with an illustration of salvation through the actions of Joseph and his father and brothers.  Like the brothers we have wronged God and rejected Him.  We have sought to approach Him on our own terms, attempting to appease Him with our “gifts,” i.e. good works.  Yet God shuts us up to only one way, the way of faith.  When we come to Him by faith, He receives us and lavishly provides for us.  The brothers expected and deserved judgment and prison, they received gracious acceptance.