How do you typically respond when someone who has hurt or disappointed
you realizes they treated you wrongfully? Does relief flood your soul
to know they've finally repented? Are you eager to restore fellowship
upon their confession? Let's see how Joseph responds upon hearing his
brothers admit their guilt…
Genesis 42: 23-25
And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them
by an interpreter. And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and
returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon,
and bound him before their eyes. Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks
with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give
them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.
From the beginning of their unrealized reunion, Joseph had dealt with
his brothers through an interpreter; therefore his brothers had no idea
that any discussion they held in his presence was fully understood by
Joseph. This divinely inspired disguise had its designed result, for we
learned in our previous study that his brothers confessed their guilt
after all those years of dishonesty! In that very moving moment, the Bible
says Joseph turned himself from them and wept…
John 11:35
Jesus wept.
Scripture says there was also a time when Jesus actually broke into tears
as well, for He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. However,
by this brief verse we are reminded of the humanity of Christ and His
love and concern for mankind. Does your love and concern for the hearts
of others cause you to weep, dear lady? Many folks shed tears at simple
tales of distress, but are hardened to real woe - such as a lost soul
on their way to hell! True love brings suffering…
Job 30:25
Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for
the poor?
Stop and consider the emotions Joseph must have been experiencing at the
moment his brethren admitted their sin. Think back on the anguish they
caused their younger brother's soul, and how they would neither hear nor
help Joseph as they threw him in that pit. All those memories must have
come flooding back to Joseph, all the days of hurt and disappointment
he endured, all those hateful comments and nasty looks he received when
he was living among them, yet he stayed tender… Imagine all those nights
after they betrayed him that Joseph undoubtedly prayed for them, still
longing to unite with them despite the unjust treatment he received at
their hands. And now they've admitted their guilt and Joseph heard their
admission with his very own ears! How it must have greatly encouraged
his heart, amen? Joseph was getting closer than ever before to total reconciliation
with his family because of God's softening process…
Job 23:16
For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
Ladies, have you ever stopped to consider that our desire to finally admit
and forsake our sins must greatly bless the tender, holy heart of our
heavenly Father? You see, we've treated our Lord much the same way that
Joseph's brothers callously treated Joseph! Our heavenly Father has been
nothing but good to us and we have been selfish in return. With the influence
of the Holy Spirit upon our souls, God has drawn us to His bosom…
Jeremiah 31:3
The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee
with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Similarly, Joseph did not recompense evil for evil upon the heads of his
brethren. Though he was firm and even bound Simeon as hostage before them,
the Bible says he gave orders to fill their sacks with corn, restored
their money, and even provided the nine with food for their journey home!
Like Christ, Joseph loved his family members with an everlasting love
that finally broke down their pride and opened their hearts… Can you endure
the same for the sake of others? Ladies, let me encourage you to stay
soft in the face of meanness. It is a good step toward restoring relationships
and raising a soul to spiritual life! When the stones are taken out of
our hearts - when prejudices, offences, bitterness, etc. are removed and
got over, then a way is made for the Word of God to enter the hearts of
others and set them free…
Ezekiel 36:26
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you:
and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give
you an heart of flesh.
Only the Lord can change hearts that are frozen to good and thaw them
out, causing them to pump with passion and new affections! Only He can
repair families and give each member hearts that feel love to God and
one another… Certainly all believers have been blessed in the same manner
by our God, amen ladies? As was Joseph's testimony, the Lord grants us
a large measure of provisions without price… God graciously bestows upon
us all we need to thrive physically and spiritually in this life, yet
we tend to squander those blessings. No doubt during their travels those
nine brothers rehearsed time and time again how they would tell their
father Jacob what happened to them when they arrived home! What about
OUR journey home?? What will you say one day when you come face to face
with your heavenly Father to explain the choices you have made in your
life? May we all learn to be ready to extend forgiveness to those who
have wronged us by staying soft. It's the one thing you can do in order
to enjoy your family more!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2003