Sometimes we have everything under control. We present ourselves to the world in a cool and collected manner and no one would ever know that there was anything going on under the surface. And often, we can maintain that persona for a good period of time. But then, something happens and the dam breaks. We can no longer contain. In our last reading, Judah was making a long appeal to Joseph and apparently, he struck a chord.
In verses 1-3, Joseph loses control in front of everyone and reveals who he is to his brothers. He had ordered everyone else out of the room, but he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him and word even got back to Pharoah’s household. He had been 20 years without news of his family, and he was now asking his brothers for more word of his father, but they were too terrified to answer. What an incredibly emotional moment this must have been.
At this point, I think that Joseph has seen the change he was hoping for in his brothers. They are showing concern for someone other than themselves. And, up to this point, they have been telling him about their father as if he were an outsider. Joseph wants more intimate news. Is his father well? How are things going for him? He wants to catch up like part of the family.
Read verses 4-7. We see Joseph reassuring his brothers, who, at this point, are terrified of his retribution, that he bears no hard feelings. He gives God the credit for having sent him to Egypt. He tells his brothers that it was God’s purpose to protect them all and to save them from the coming famine. God watches over His children (Ex 15:2, Isa 25:9).
Joseph is attempting to reconcile with his brothers. He wants a restored relationship without hard feelings. What has gone before, as bad as it was, is water under the bridge. This is God’s will for us, as well. He wants us to have a spirit of reconciliation, when we can (2 Cor 5:18). Jesus Himself taught forgiveness (Matt 6:14; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:37, Luke 23:34; Eph 4:32).
In verses 8-11, Joseph tells his brothers to return to Canaan and get their father and their families and bring them to Egypt. God Himself has promoted Joseph to be head of Egypt, and he can provide a place for them to live, near him, where they will be safe from the famine (Acts 7:13-14; Psalm 37:19). If they stay in Canaan, they will become destitute. Notice, here again, how Joseph always gives God credit for everything.
Verses 12-15 show Joseph, once again, reassuring his brothers that it is indeed him and that everything is okay between them. He urges them to go quickly and bring his father back to Egypt where he can protect and care for him. There is much weeping, embracing, kissing, as healing occurs within this family. God can do this. He can take broken families, and this was a very broken family, and He can heal them if we trust and obey Him.
Next, we see in verses 16-20, that Pharoah hears of this. He supports Joseph and tells him to have his brothers bring the family back to Egypt where they will be safe from the famine. God has made Joseph very successful in Egypt and now he has Pharoah’s full support. Pharoah even gives the brothers carts to bring their families back and gives them some of the best land of Egypt in which to live. He goes so far as to tell them to not even worry about belongings… they will be given everything they need from the best of what Egypt has to offer. This is not the result of a slave boy’s performance in Egypt. This is the Hand of God watching over his covenant people, Israel, keeping His promises to all mankind to deliver a Savior.
Read verses 21-24. In these verses we see Joseph going above and beyond what Pharoah has directed. Love abounds. He gives gifts to all of his brothers, but multiplies them to Benjamin, the only other son of his mother. This is his younger brother who he missed getting to know because of being sold into slavery. And he sends gifts to his father. Notice, as they are leaving, he tells them not to quarrel on the way. This is an interesting admonition after such a great family reconciliation.
Finally, in verses 25-28, we see the brothers back in Canaan with their father, Israel. At first, he does not believe them. Joseph is dead. How can he be the ruler of all of Egypt? But the brothers tell him everything Joseph said and show him all the carts and the gifts and the father’s spirits are revived. Imagine, hearing that your son, who died 20 years ago, is still alive and ruling Egypt and that he can save you and your family from the severe famine that is currently about to kill you! Israel decides to go to Egypt and see his son. Notice, he does not say, I will go to Egypt and be safe from this famine, but rather, I will go to see Joseph. Family is his priority. As it should be.
Responding to God: Praise God that He is all powerful and in control of all things. Thank Him for your family. Ask Him to help sort out any problems currently existing within your family and to help you to reach reconciliation. Pray for strong family relationships and the ability to show love to each other. Give Him credit for all good things and thank Him for His love and care. Thank Him for His provision. Seek His help in caring for the things of others, rather than just for your own needs. Ask His help in finding forgiveness.
Further Research: Using a concordance or online Bible, search the Bible for scriptures concerning forgiveness and reconciliation.
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