LITMIR.BIZ

       II. THE BIGGER PICTURE (GENESIS 45:10–15)

      Joseph’s intent to preserve life extended to providing a place for his father and family to relocate from Canaan to the land of Goshen, a region in Egypt. After twenty-plus years of estrangement, he was determined to keep his family near him for several generations to come. And not to interfere with the economy of grain needed to stave off the effects of the five remaining years of famine, Joseph prepared himself to personally provide for his family when they arrived. Joseph’s ability to provide for his family was a fulfillment of his dreams. Though his brothers fulfilled his dreams upon bowing to him, his dreams also demonstrated Joseph would become like the eldest and bear the responsibility for providing for the clan. His provision for the family was tied to his purpose to save lives, and not just the lives of the subjects of Egypt. As the saying goes, “Charity begins at home.” Joseph also had to save the lives of those to whom he was most closely related, even if the majority were scoundrels.

      Joseph instructed Benjamin, perhaps because he was the youngest and his only full brother, to be the one to convince his father of his existence and glory in Egypt. Joseph likely chose Benjamin because he believed he was the only brother who could be trusted. Benjamin was the only brother who had not betrayed Joseph and presumably had not ostensibly lied to their father. Though time had passed and Joseph had forgiven, it would not be prudent to trust his older brothers fully.

      Benjamin was distinguished again from his brothers by the way he reciprocated Joseph’s act of affection when he fell on his neck and wept. In response, Benjamin wept as well. When Joseph kissed all his other brothers, the older brothers only talked with him, which may reflect caution, showing that (unlike Benjamin) they were unprepared to accept his benevolence as genuine, which for reasons discussed above makes perfectly good sense.

      Reaching this point in the narrative, the structure of the story with its varied parts coming to climax, the picture of resolution comes into fuller focus. This story of familial betrayal, separation, and reunion was replete with tension even as the climax and resolution were reached. Joseph’s tension with his older brothers remained even past the death of Jacob (Gen. 50:15–21). His brothers wondered if he would take his revenge upon their father’s death. This text points to Joseph’s longing to be reconnected with his father and feel the embrace of family once again, a family from which he had some painful memories but of which he was a part and was not a foreigner. Though he had risen to prominence in Egypt, it most likely would have been incredibly difficult to live as a stranger with no family connections since adolescence. Though his brothers had wronged him in the most egregious way, his forgiveness was born from an internal peace that purpose existed beyond the harm they perpetrated.

      THE LESSON APPLIED

      Though it wasn’t directly mentioned in today’s text, the love Joseph had for his family was clearly implied. His life typified the difficulty people have in forgiving those who have wronged them. Prior to seeing his brothers, Joseph was becoming settled in his bitterness. But upon sight of them, the love that had been buried under the layers of hurt, pain, and disappointment broke through. As Christians we must not let the ground of our heart become so hardened by pain from the past that the light of God’s love can’t break through it.

      No power in this world is greater than the power of love. When we surrender ourselves to it, love empowers us. Whether it is expressed through our passions and purposes or demonstrated in relationships, the power of love is the universal remedy for what afflicts our relationships in our homes, communities, nation, and world.

      Love is so powerful. It gives us strength to have difficult conversations and accept hard truths we may not want to hear. It is through the arduous task of loving those who have wronged us that we are made more complete in Christ and they have the ability to experience the reconciliation of God. We too are able to experience life anew by loving those who are incredibly difficult to love. It is the task those who follow God are given without reprieve.

      LET’S TALK ABOUT IT

       How could Joseph trust there was a larger plan at work in his life?

      We must take Joseph’s comments in context. He made the statement after having many years to take a panoramic view of his life. The faith he expressed to his brothers had been in development over the course of many years. We can imagine he performed a type of introspection that gave him clarity. We are not given insight to the kind of relationships he formed while in Egypt, but given human nature, it is fair to say he was not alone. He would have formed meaningful relationships with people in similar predicaments that would have encouraged him and let him know not to forsake the faith of his youth.

      Truthfully, we do not know how things are going to work out and whether or not moments of treacherous ground are divinely orchestrated. Perhaps they might be those things that have been sent to destroy us and render us unusable by God. This is why relationships are important, particularly forming relationships with sage individuals who have spiritual insight to the workings of life and who have the heart of God. In moments and perhaps years or decades of being pressed, they are those who can recite with confidence the words of Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (NRSV). This simply means there are times when we know what God is doing and there are times when we don’t and must trust that God knows what He is doing and He is working it out for our best. This kind of trust comes about through a personal relationship with our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. Matthew 6:33 advises us to seek first the Kingdom of God at all times.

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       SEPTEMBER 28–OCTOBER 4, 2020