Genesis 42
“Do this and live, for I fear God:” Genesis 42:18
Everything comes full circle. Here is Joseph, in charge of the Egyptian empire. He is the most invincible man in the world. He has no vulnerabilities. He is loved by all. He is in charge of the future of the world. Then enters Joseph’s secret past. This would make a great movie.
The 10 brothers were sent by Jacob to fetch food. Now consider this, Joseph is the second youngest brother. This means that all his brothers were grown men. Here comes this group of ten, who Joseph must have recognized immediately. They were there in that group, and for Joseph, they had not changed that much. Joseph was seventeen when sold into slavery. People often wonder how his brothers could not recognize him. Some say it is because he was adorned in Egyptian clothes. I sure this played a part, but how about, Joseph had grown up! He was now 37 years old. Twenty years had passed. Here is the emperor of the world and those who betrayed him. He was in a situation to do anything he wanted.
I doubt it was a perfect forgive and forget. I am sure there was some sort of thought of revenge. Maybe I am just evil, however, I do not think Joseph was just playing games when he threw them into prison for three days. I think he had to think things out. What was his conclusion? Observe verse 18, “Do this and live, for I fear God.” Sometimes I think we are driven to this place. It is a place where, the only reason we do what is right is because we recognize there is a God in heaven and we fear Him. Once again, when we let the Lord handle things look at what He does. As we will learn tomorrow, restoration was on the horizon.
I consider the Prodigal son’s brother. He never did anything wrong, therefore he could not allow restoration to take place. Maybe what had happened was not fair. Maybe Joseph’s brothers got away with something (God is just so we know they did not, but seemingly they did). I suggest in times when we are given the opportunity to administer grace, and it is hard for us, that we do it because we fear God.
Think about how many opportunities you have to do this with siblings, friends, and youth leaders. Think about if your respect for the Lord was measured by the grace you administered. Have a little grace; after all, Tommy is human too. Halleyujah!
4 comments:
I have a question for the Q&A "movie", I know that Jacob had to work 14 years to get Rachel. But, how many years did he work for Laban in all? 14 or 21? Genesis 29:28-30. When it says that "and he fulfilled her week" is it talking about his honey-moon week with Leah, or the week of years, being 7, which he had to work to get Rachel. Then AFTER it says he married Rachel, it says "then he worked fo Laban another 7 years. Where those years the years he worked so he could have Rachel, or did he get her up front and work those years because he was a nice guy?
I think he worked 14 years.
I think that is a good question. What do you mean "Q&A movie"?
Tommy and Hector said they were going to post a movie once a month ansering questions we have about the Bible, called the "Q&A movie".
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