The Joseph story has been building to this moment that we read together today. This is the moment when Joseph's dreams were fulfilled about his brothers bowing down to him. This is the moment when Joseph comes face to face with his past. How many times had Joseph dreamed of this moment? What feelings came back to Joseph as he stood face to face with the same brothers who years before threw him into a pit and sold him into slavery? Joseph has a new garment now, the garment of governor, and his brothers do not recognize him. At this point in the story, we are unsure of what Joseph is going to do. He throws his brothers in jail(maybe the same jail where he was at), and eventually sends his brothers on their way, with Simeon left in jail, and the promise that if they return, they have to bring their youngest brother Benjamin.
I cannot imagine what is going on in Joseph's mind when first sees his brothers. All those feelings of hurt, betrayal, and victimization come running back. Notice he did not forgive at first. It took a process for Joseph to forgive. If we do not forgive, we can never be set free from the stuff that happens to us. Hopefully, you can forgive right away, but sometimes it takes a process to forgive. Eventually, Joseph will forgive, and give one of the most powerful statements in all the Bible.
"God, help me to forgive those who have sinned against me as you have forgiven me."
About Me
- Robert and Ray Miller
- Robert is the pastor of First Baptist Texas City, Tx. And Ray is the pastor of First Baptist Mertens, Tx. Robert brings over 30 years of biblical study as a pastor. Ray brings a younger perspective to the Bible and also a command of the original languages. Our greatest passion is to see lives changed through the good news of Jesus Christ.
1 comment:
The leading of God in Joseph's life is so evident in this chapter. He shows his love for his brothers by bringing them to their knees. This is often one of the hardest things for us to do with those whom we love the most, but just as God must bring us to the place where we see ourselves as we really are can He forgive, cleanse and then use us.
Joseph's actions force his brothers to come face to face with what they had done to their brother years before and then Joseph tests them to insure they are willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of each other - God-directed insight for Joseph to bring his brothers to the place they had to come.
As Christians we must strive, in love, to direct our unsaved friends and family to see themselves as sinners in need of Christ's saving and redeeming grace. This is a difficult task, but one with eternal rewards.
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