Scripture Passage for Today
GENESIS 42:1-45:15
“Joseph recognized his brothers instantly, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them.” (Genesis 42:7 NLT)
“Then Joseph kissed each of his brothers and wept over them, and after that they began talking freely with him.” (Genesis 45:15 NLT)
Observation
I generally don’t do well with surprises. More than once, I’ve responded negatively to an act of kindness on someone else’s part—simply because it “came at me” unexpectedly. I understand how silly that seems when I write it out like that, but it still remains my default response to something unexpected.
And so, even while some of Joseph’s actions towards his brothers seem a bit manipulative—deceitful, even—and therefore difficult to explain, I’m inclined to cut Joseph a whole bunch of slack here. What a gut-wrenching surprise the appearance of his brothers must have been for Joseph! He’s named his two sons in a way that closes the door on a past he thinks he’d rather forget, and then—as if with a sudden gust of wintery Kansas wind—the door is blown wide open again. Here are the brothers who have betrayed him standing flesh-and-blood before him…and in need of him!
He holds in his hands the lives of those who cost him the life he had. What emotion that must have stirred in Joseph! What turmoil! I simply cannot imagine how internally tumultuous a time that must have been. We get only a glimpse or two of the intensity of it in those moments when Joseph excuses himself to weep privately—and later weeps so loudly that word of his distress “quickly carried to Pharaoh’s palace” (45:2).
The thing that’s so powerful—and compellingly beautiful—is where Joseph lands: Forgiveness and grace. What starts with harsh speech ends with tears and kisses. I want two things for myself when I read these verses (okay, three)—First (though honestly, I don’t see this one happening), I’d love to find a way to reprogram my default response to surprise—less like Joseph, and more like Jesus (say, patient, open-hearted, and—when appropriate—grateful). Second, I want more patience and wisdom when dealing with others—patience to wait for them to process whatever it might be that they’re working through on their way to more grace towards me…and wisdom to help them get there! Third, I want my heart to reflect Joseph’s forgiving heart. When wounds from the past get opened again—even surprisingly so—I’d like my response to be one of grace and forgiveness, too.
8 comments:
What a good word Pastor, may we all desire the grace and forgiveness part. thanks again for sharing your thoughts and heart with us.
I love how Joseph connected the dots in Genesis 42:8, 9 as well…”Then he remembered his dreams about them…” A commentary says, “…the dreams were to provide revelation and faith for his difficult future, not an occasion to exalt himself…” Wahoo! Lessoned learned - which catapulted Joseph to become a type of ‘Savior’ to his brothers and Dad…
Very good practical picture application to our very present lives. I remember that being your style and what drew me to the little church in Meriden, where we started, as we could always remember the sermon even if it was a sermon on a lawn mower! So many times I'd been angered by being in a very long service and couldn't remember a thing that was said. So your style was a breath of fresh air. Thank you for being you
Yes, my hearts desire (2 & 3) also Pastor. I see Joseph as having self control to process and think through how to handle the situation. I tend to react and am working on hearing from God and seeking wisdom before acting. In Joseph's situation it would have been easy to react with emotion; either with overwhelming joy in seeing his brothers or anger and he did neither. I also want to know how to come along side and help others get to where God is taking them. That is not always rescuing them like my flesh tends to want to do. I want to fix things, but that is God's job not mine. Once again His ways are higher then ours and we can not lean on our own understanding...
Only God knows all things!
Joseph was a lot like Jesus in that He could have just turn His back on His bothers for all they did to Him but He didnt He let it go Just like Jesus does when He accepts us just like we are and forgives us. Praise God! This is a good example How we should treat others and forget what they may have done to us I miss that chance with my bother but now is the time to forgive and Love letsbe like Jesus today thank you all for your comments and help.
It amazes me that none of Joseph's brothers recognized him. That one of them wouldn't have said "He reminds me of Joseph" or something. I know it had been over 13 years since they had saw him, but I have ran into relatives I haven't seen in years (they weren't my brothers either)and still recognized them. Even that they didn't recognize his voice. I have recognized people by their voice,with out seeing their face, may times. Maybe it is an example of out - of -sight, out - of - mind... or just a big piece of God's plan. I also cherish the way the love between father and sons, sons to father, and brother to brother is shown so strongly here. It's a perfect example to not hold a grudge, but forgive. Life is too short for family's to not be forgiving and loving toward each other. Being forgiven and forgiving someone, to me, is key to having productive and successful day's. Not saying it is easy, but letting go, sets my mind on good things and in turn, I'm not wasting my time on bad things. Joseph did this very well!
Isn't it wonderful that we are the Josephs of today? We are placed here in a stragic position to bless those near to us. Family, Friends Community. We are given provisions and power by God to be of use to others. Things that we may not even know are needed until a time God sets. We are a hope for others that are looking for sustanance. Praise God that his word lives not only in the past, but today, and tomorrow, and forever. Amen!!!
I ask the same thing, Becky, why didn't they recognize him? That's just not for us to know, but it's obvious that Joseph, probably prayerfully, thought out the process in which to deal with this surprise visit and he used wisdom in dealing with them. When the brothers came back from Canaan the second time they had a chance to be honest with Joseph and show that they could be honest and were changed men. This probably softened his heart all the more to the point where he just had no other choice but to forgive and show love to his brothers. I pray that this is the outcome for everyone in my family, and also in our church family.
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