"A Good Landing"

Scripture Passage for Today

GENESIS 42:1-45:15

Scripture Focus

“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.