NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

EXAMPLES OF RECONCILIATION: JOSEPH AND THE BROTHERS (GENESIS 45:1-15, 50:14-21)

REFLECTION

“Joseph and the brothers” is the theme for our reflection. In today’s Scripture reading, Joseph’s brothers feared that Joseph may harm them after their father’s death, therefore, they came to him for forgiveness. Joseph forgave them, reconciled with them and promised to continually cater for them and their families. The family reunion started from Genesis 45:1-15 but the actual forgiveness and reconciliation took place in Genesis 50: 14-21. What key lessons do we learn from the story of Joseph and the brothers?

First, those who conspire against or seek to destroy a good person shall know no peace because of their guilty conscience. From today’s Scripture readings, Joseph’s brothers proved to us that a guilty conscience is the burden we carry if we hurt those who love us. Why would anyone hurt a good person? In the story of Joseph and his brothers, they envied and sold him because the glory of God was upon him and he was their father’s favourite. From the time they discovered that Joseph was special because the glory of God was upon His life, they had become restless until they sold him. It is interesting how they never came to Joseph to express their guilt and ask forgiveness but only became awakened to the reality that Joseph could harm them after their father’s death hence they asked for His forgiveness. All along they felt Joseph could not harm them because he would have considered how that action would adversely affect their father, but now that their father was dead, it was the perfect time to do what they had thought was in Joseph’s mind, revenge! “When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father. Joseph wept when they spoke to him” (Genesis 50:15-17). Dear friend guilty conscience is like a heap of burning coal on the heads of those who conspire against your life, they shall not experience peace because of their evil deeds and unrepentant heart. ““If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” (Romans 12:20) Joseph was truly a servant of God. The love and care Joseph gave to his brothers gave them sleepless nights. They suffered from anxiety and insecurity because of their guilty conscience, I call this self-inflicted or automated revenge! Let us be careful of our actions today because the evil that men and women do lives after them. The only way to free those who have offended us from guilt is to reconcile with them and assure them of our love, compassion and forgiveness. This is exactly what Joseph did for his brothers. We are greatly encouraged to same with those who have hurt or offended us greatly.

Second, God uses even the evil plans of our enemies to our advantage therefore nobody can change God’s will for our lives. Joseph’s story is a great encouragement to believers who become victims of jealousy and bitterness of those who simply cannot tolerate their progress and will do anything to frustrate their blessing. The good news is that God is able to use the evil plans of your enemies to bring to fruition your prosperity or success in life. Joseph’s brothers tried their best to eliminate him so that his dream of becoming the shining star in the family would never materialise, little did they know that their evil agenda was part of the reason why Joseph would become great. “His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children. ” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.” (Genesis 50:18-21) Beloved in the Lord, some of us are currently going through hardship and frustration in our family, society and workplace because of the evil plans and conspiracy of our enemies but be rest assured that “all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Judas betrayed Jesus but through his betrayal, God’s purpose was fulfilled in the life Jesus. It is for this reason that Paul wrote, “… God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11). Dear friend, no matter the opposition and attack on your integrity, hard work or progress by your enemies, with God on your side you shall experience His glory in your life. For the Lord who has called you is faithful. Let us be like Joseph who endured suffering but kept hope alive in God and completely trusted God every step of the way, and in God’s time, He turned his disgrace into grace, his shame into glory, retrogression into progression, failure into success and from a slave to a master and lord over Egypt and his brothers. Yes, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26). Our lives are in His hands and He makes a way where there is no way. Do not allow the evil plans of your enemies to weigh you down emotionally or discourage you to the extent that you will begin to give up and lose focus. Be focused on God through prayer and faith because your victory is at hand. David went through similar experiences but He experienced the glory of the Lord in his life, I want you to say with David, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalms 23:4-6). We must remember that even as God’s will is being fulfilled in our lives, it is His will for us to reconcile and be at peace with our repentant enemies. This is another great lesson we learn from Joseph and his brothers. It is not pleasing to God to continue holding grudges with the people who have hurt you in the past. God has been faithful to us for a purpose. The purpose prove them wrong and to teach them that it is impossible to destroy one that God has blessed. Again, the purpose is to demonstrate the love of God to those are lost in because of envy, bitterness and wickedness. We must forgive, reconcile and be kind to them to teach them that love triumphs and God reigns in our lives.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “Examples of reconciliation: Joseph and His brothers” We have learnt that reconciling with those who have hurt frees them from their guilt. Again, God can use the wicked or evil plans of our enemies to our advantage and favour therefore we must learn to forgive and reconcile them. Shalom

PRAYER

Almighty God, like Joseph, we completely rely on You in all situations, may your glory never depart from us and may we be strengthened to forgive and reconcile with our repentant enemies. Amen.