When Joseph insists on keeping the “thief” Benjamin as his slave, Judah asks to take his place:
“My father’s life is wrapped up with the boy’s life. When he sees that he is not with us, he will die…. Now please let your servant [Judah] remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy…. For how can I go back to my father without the boy? I could not bear to see the grief that would overwhelm my father” Genesis 44:30-34.
Joseph can bear no more. He turns to his brothers: “I am Joseph!’ But they could not answer him because they were terrified” 45:3. The brothers are stunned. (I wrote in my Bible: “history’s ultimate jaw-dropping moment.”) Little brother’s dreams came true. Joseph rules the world. What will he do now? Each knows the vengeance he would execute were he in Joseph’s place. They are ruthless schemers. But Joseph is different.
“Don’t be worried or angry with yourselves… GOD SENT ME AHEAD OF YOU TO PRESERVE LIFE…. GOD SENT ME ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt…. Tell my father about all my glory in Egypt and about all you have seen. And bring my father here quickly” 45:5-8,13.
Can you look at injustices and see God’s hand at work? Sometimes you can, sometimes you cannot. But you can always forgive. Remember Romans 8:28 “God causes ALL THINGS to work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” He will bring good from your suffering!
Dear God, help us to see YOUR PURPOSE in all that we suffer. And help us to forgive those who do horrible things to us. Give us the integrity of Joseph.
ΑΩ