Jacob and his sons; what an amalgamation of messed up relationships! He continually chose between them and favored one over the others. No wonder there was such jealousy between them. That context of favoring sons very much flavors the reading we read today.
This was the first time Joseph stood before his brothers in over twenty years. Thirteen years of captivity followed by seven years of abundant crops followed by some years of famine. I often wondered how it was that these men did not recognize their own brother, but we can chalk that up to the years between and the Egyptian style Joseph dressed in. He was probably completely shaven; head, beard, eyebrows, and even his arms and legs. He was also likely wearing makeup on his eyes. And he was speaking fluent Egyptian, communicating with them through an interpreter. He was in every way a foreigner to his brothers; completely anonymous.
Anonymity has certain . . . advantages. Imagine standing in the presence of someone who harmed you, they need your help, but they have no idea that it is you. What could you do to them? What would you do to them?
These men deserve nothing but anger and retribution from Joseph. There is no earthly reason that Joseph should help them, sell to them, and do anything good to or for them. But they are his brothers, and he chooses to give them a second chance.
Joseph’s behavior toward his brothers is very similar to God’s behavior toward us.
Think about it. Have we ever thrown God out of our lives? Have we ever tossed him in a pit? Can’t we say that we hung God on a cross, killed him, and buried him? Centuries later our most prominent philosophers (like Nietzsche) declare that God is dead. We’ve excluded God from our public settings; no Nativity Scenes at City Hall, strict limitations on what can and can’t be said about God in public schools, etc. Why should he show mercy, kindness, and blessings to us?
But He does.
Joseph not only fed his brothers, he returned their money in their sacks. In no way did they earn, buy, or deserve what they received from Joseph.
God also acts in our lives purely out of His grace. We do not earn, buy, or deserve any of the blessings we receive from Him. It is purely out of his fatherly divine goodness and mercy that God acts on our behalf, giving even his only begotten Son to be bear our sin and be our savior!
Joseph recognized that he had received blessing upon blessing – even as a slave in prison! – so he displayed mercy and compassion. His life reflected his Heavenly Father’s heart. As he said, “I fear God.” He lived in faith and awe of the Lord.
Living in faith changes our lives. Better said: God changes our lives through His grace which we receive by faith. (Even more striking, the very faith that receives God’s grace is a gift as well!) Let your faith show so that people will see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.
God, thank you for showing me mercy. Help my life to reflect mercy to others for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
This was the first time Joseph stood before his brothers in over twenty years. Thirteen years of captivity followed by seven years of abundant crops followed by some years of famine. I often wondered how it was that these men did not recognize their own brother, but we can chalk that up to the years between and the Egyptian style Joseph dressed in. He was probably completely shaven; head, beard, eyebrows, and even his arms and legs. He was also likely wearing makeup on his eyes. And he was speaking fluent Egyptian, communicating with them through an interpreter. He was in every way a foreigner to his brothers; completely anonymous.
Anonymity has certain . . . advantages. Imagine standing in the presence of someone who harmed you, they need your help, but they have no idea that it is you. What could you do to them? What would you do to them?
These men deserve nothing but anger and retribution from Joseph. There is no earthly reason that Joseph should help them, sell to them, and do anything good to or for them. But they are his brothers, and he chooses to give them a second chance.
Joseph’s behavior toward his brothers is very similar to God’s behavior toward us.
Think about it. Have we ever thrown God out of our lives? Have we ever tossed him in a pit? Can’t we say that we hung God on a cross, killed him, and buried him? Centuries later our most prominent philosophers (like Nietzsche) declare that God is dead. We’ve excluded God from our public settings; no Nativity Scenes at City Hall, strict limitations on what can and can’t be said about God in public schools, etc. Why should he show mercy, kindness, and blessings to us?
But He does.
Joseph not only fed his brothers, he returned their money in their sacks. In no way did they earn, buy, or deserve what they received from Joseph.
God also acts in our lives purely out of His grace. We do not earn, buy, or deserve any of the blessings we receive from Him. It is purely out of his fatherly divine goodness and mercy that God acts on our behalf, giving even his only begotten Son to be bear our sin and be our savior!
Joseph recognized that he had received blessing upon blessing – even as a slave in prison! – so he displayed mercy and compassion. His life reflected his Heavenly Father’s heart. As he said, “I fear God.” He lived in faith and awe of the Lord.
Living in faith changes our lives. Better said: God changes our lives through His grace which we receive by faith. (Even more striking, the very faith that receives God’s grace is a gift as well!) Let your faith show so that people will see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.
God, thank you for showing me mercy. Help my life to reflect mercy to others for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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