Dear Friends,
We hope this week's devotional will encourage you in your spiritual walk. We give thanks to Rev. Pam Reed, Registrar and Student Support Tutor, for writing this devotional.
You are welcome to share this and include it in your church newsletters if you wish; we just ask that you please give credit to NTC and the author. Thank you!
Genesis 45: 3-15 (NIV-UK)
3 Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph! Is my father still living?’ But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come close to me.’ When they had done so, he said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no ploughing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 ‘So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. 9 Now hurry back to my father and say to him, “This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. 10 You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me – you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. 11 I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.”
15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterwards his brothers talked with him.
Devotional
The Old Testament includes some incredible narratives of God’s people of faith – and no one is portrayed as being entirely blameless. This passage heralds the end of a long-drawn-out saga about Jacob and his twelve sons.
When Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers, they are “terrified at his presence” (3) – the Hebrew word conveys a sense of paralyzing fear and panic as might be experienced in war. Will their brother, whom they sought to harm, take revenge on them?
But this passage shows the mature Joseph. No longer does he boast of his superior status – yet that is exactly what he could now do. The dreams of his brothers bowing down to him (Genesis 37:1-11) have come true, but he doesn’t remind them of this. His greatest wish is to see his father and to provide for the whole family during the famine. After all the tough years for Joseph, he can see God’s hand in the events and recognize his presence (5).
Joseph seeks connection, not dislocation; compassion and gentleness, not revenge; and forgiveness, not bitterness. This forgiveness is offered freely, without any demand that the brothers first repent of their actions and attitudes. God is truly at work in him.
The Gospel reading for this week (Luke 6:27-38) has a similar theme: Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you (27); be merciful (36); forgive (37). These attributes, seen in Joseph’s interactions with his brothers, are also what our God wants to develop in us. The immature Joseph was transformed into a man of power, but also into a man of integrity and forgiveness. We too need to allow God to transform us into mature believers who are willing to forgive.
Prayer
Loving God, you are the God of transformation. As you transformed the heart of Joseph, so you can transform our hearts as we face tough situations. Help us to be willing to be transformed and to know that you are with us every step of the journey. Amen.
Blessings,
Rev. Pam Reed