Learning from OT Greats: Joseph - From the Pit to the Palaceনমুনা

Day 7:  Joseph meets his brothers

Thoughts on the Passage

Joseph remembers his dreams.

This must have been a difficult day for Joseph. He had put the past behind – and now here it was right in his face. Even the brothers had put the past behind them. They said of Joseph – “one is no more”, or in other words, he was dead in their minds. Those would have been tough words to hear for Joseph. 

Joseph went through bondage, slavery, and loss – and his brothers did not seem to worry about it. 

So Joseph takes three days to think things through. Several important things to note here: 

First, Joseph fears God. He acts out of a heart that fears God more than he wants to have revenge. Joseph takes the time to calm his spirit before he acts. Good advice.

Second, he wants to see his brother Benjamin. There is a heart to connect with his family that is greater than his hurt.

Third, he does not trust his brothers. He will not reveal himself to them. He will not trust them to come back with Benjamin and so he keeps one of them there in custody. Why he chose Simeon to stay? We do not know. Still, it was someone that Joseph felt was the right one. I probably would have chosen the one who hurt me the most – I am speaking as real person here.

Fourth, Joseph is trying to deal with the challenge of his dreams. What is God doing? Why has God brought the family back into his life? There will need to be forgiveness and reconciliation. That process is a challenge and I think Joseph is trying to work his way through it.

We must see the hand of God as well through this. Forgiveness and reconciliation is the heart of God. It is not always the heart of mankind. We hide from it. We run from it. We ignore it.

Until it shows up right in front of us.

Application to our Life

Take time today and ask God if there is someone/something that we need to come face to face with. God’s timing may be now – even if it is not ours.

When God drops a bombshell in our laps – take some time to think it through and respond as one who fears God. 

Time to Pray
Father, as I look at Joseph’s response I see someone who is handling a flood of emotions, personal struggles and hurts. I do not know if I could think as clearly as he is doing after just three days. I know that I would need more time and I would have trouble being this wise. Still, I know that there is wisdom when we fear Your name. Today, I ask that my heart take time to deal with whatever comes my way. Today, I ask that You will fill me afresh with the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord so that I walk worthy of You. In Jesus name, Amen.