This chapter is one of the best stories genre in Bible. It’s full of emotions.
Joseph finally lost his barrier and broke his emotions, after Judah’s last word. He revealed himself.
He then asked the Egyptians to go out and there he wept so loud. The text literally said, it was very loud until the Egyptians outside could hear.
Very loud. Seldom in our life we weep very loud, yah (I mean, of course everyone is different), but if we see the text, Joseph was not really a crybaby – during his early suffering days, no mention that he was crying.
The burden that has been on his shoulder now is removed.
He had the chance to get even, but see, how much love he had!
He even encouraged them – don’t be angry at yourself!!
Oh my God! That’s Spirit’s work.
He ensured that his brothers didn’t feel down and he did not blame them but depicting a picture that it’s God’s plan.
“And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt”
Now, I want to be clear here: It is not God that caused all the evil things the brothers did and things happened to Joseph.
But as John Stott quoted this story in his legendary Romans book, he compared it with Romans 8:28 – God can make all things (good and bad) .. turns it for our good. He is able to do so. He is God, what.
A few times Joseph encouraged them and even called them to come nearer. (later they settled at Goshen = near).
He kissed the brothers who betrayed him,
Bible teachers often portrayed Joseph as the foreshadow of Jesus. Jesus was rejected by his “own” , Jesus forgives, Jesus becomes the bread of life and the provider.
And oh, the writer also gave some humor. How perfect this is to become a TV series!
After Pharaoh heard of that , he was pleased and asked Joseph to bring his father. This is God’s favor also.
So, Joseph sent his brothers back, full with gifts and still called after them, “Don’t quarrel about all this along the way!”
LOL. Joseph knew his brothers well.
They arrived and met Jacob. Jacob could not believe at first then he started to believe.
Can you pause and imagine for a while, his feeling? >17 years of despairs…then suddenly he found out that the despairs was not necessary.
The story itself is full of takeaway – I can only close with Romans 8:28, God is able to and He will, weave all things to make as blessings for us.
Love conquers all. In that chapter, Paul wrote, Jesus made us more than conquerers, because of His love.
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