Genesis 42-45

Genesis 45:7, “And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”

Time passed. God’s prepared tests had been passed successfully. Joseph’s brothers had repented of their hatred and jealousy. The Egyptians learned that Joseph was descended from a noble family. Pharaoh promised Joseph the best land, where his family from Canaan could live. Indeed, God sent Joseph to Egypt to preserve his family’s life. This ending of the story is beautiful. Everyone is happy. How good are you in giving glory to God for your success? God is not limited and He can do much more than we believe or think when we put ourselves in His service and give Him all the glory. The desire to be humble and give glory to God alone is not a natural thing, nor easy. Joseph learned these lessons in prison and in exile. When suffering comes into your life, will you pray that the Lord will teach you to be humble and prepare you to remain unchanged when you find success and the appreciation of others come? Inner humility comes only from the deep work of the cross of Christ as we give up our will, regardless of life circumstances.

Jacob’s family and God’s purpose faced great danger when Joseph’s brothers’ sin separated one from another. Blessings came over the house of Jacob only because Joseph was hurt badly. Maybe someone hurt you to ‘death’ (very badly). Are you tempted to have bitterness in your heart or seek revenge? Will you ask the Lord for grace to trust Him and faith to forgive? Joseph not only forgave his brothers, but he planned and worked to bring them to repentance, and rebuild their relationship with God. After you forgive someone, do you feel you have done your duty, since you feel good and can go ahead in life with a clear conscience? When God forgives, He does not stop until the sinner reaches reconciliation with Him. Who has sinned against you? What do you think the Lord wants to do through you to that person so that he or she could be reconciled to Him and others?

As Joseph suffered for his brothers, Christ also suffered for us, for, “While we were yet sinners, He died for us” (Romans 5:8b). In Philippians 2:8-10 we read, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” Today, Jesus is exalted at the right hand of God. Someday, every eye shall see Him. What is your answer to the Lord Jesus? God receives all who come to Him, confess their sins and repent.

Lord, I thank You for delivering me from the power of sin!