I’m reading from Genesis 45 this morning and studying from Max Lucado’s “ You’ll Get Through This.”
Joseph had been trafficked by his very family, falsely accused, jailed and had justice delayed for two years by the cupbearer to Pharaoh.
Through God’s Providence and Sovereignty he ended up in the position of authority over the stores of food in Egypt during a time of famine.
The very brothers who sold him into slavery came begging for food, bowing down before him fulfilling the dreams he had been given by God.
He tried to retaliate and exact revenge against them.
He had Simeon bound and taken away from them.
Reuben knew that they were being punished because of their sin against Joseph even though they didn’t know that they had encountered him at that time. (Chapters 42-44)
When they came before him again, Joseph could no longer control himself and dismissed his servants.
He made himself known to his brothers and wept so loudly that Pharoah’s entire household heard him.
In Genesis 45: 3- 5
He said, “I am Joseph!
Is my father still living ?”
But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
And Joseph said to his brothers,
“Please come near to me.”
So they came near.
Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.
But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.”
Joseph’s Family was dysfunctional to say the least, racked with Favoritism, Jealousy, and Hatred.
We live in a world that is broken by sin.
Families and communities are struggling with pride, hurt and guilt.
Joseph believed in God’s Providence and Sovereignty.
He realized that the Trials God had allowed in his life had been turned into Triumph.
He extended Grace and Mercy to his brothers even though they had rejected and sinned against him.
Max pointed out the many parallels between Joseph and Jesus.
Joseph was a picture of Jesus in the Old Testament.
Jesus offers Mercy and Grace to us even though we rejected and crucified Him.
As God’s Children we are called to be Ambassadors to other of the same Grace and Mercy we have received from Him.
Max makes this bold statement:
“God sees a Joseph in you. Your family needs a Joseph, a courier of Grace in a day of anger and revenge! “
I would like to add this:
Our Communities need us to be a Joseph right now too.
How can you show up from a position of God’s Grace?
Dinah's Dabblings 