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Prepare: Worship God for the free forgiveness he has extended to you.
Surprise!
Joseph has had time – most likely months – to process recent events, but even so, at this final moment, he ‘could no longer control himself’ (v 1). For the brothers, however, this must have been an absolute shocker! Again, a torrent of thoughts must have rushed through their minds: Is it really Joseph? Is he about to have his revenge (v 3)?
Maybe they felt their hearts rise as they realised they hadn’t caused the death of their brother after all! Maybe they also felt their hearts sink, as they realised that their betrayal from so many years ago is out of the bag and the awful truth will finally have to be told to Jacob.
Mercy and grace
We don’t know what private thoughts they had. What we do know is that when Joseph finds the words to explain, he immediately reveals forgiveness for the events that so haunt the brothers. He shares his understanding of God’s plans to keep his covenant family alive on the earth.
He also, on Pharaoh’s instruction, invites his whole family to come and live in the best of the land in Egypt, bestowing on them great honour and blessing. What mercy! What grace! What a beautiful reflection of what God does for us through Christ!
Respond: Forgiveness brings freedom. It transforms situations and is a powerful picture of God’s grace and mercy towards us. Is there anyone you need to really forgive? Ask God to help you forgive – fully and genuinely.
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-10-19
Surprise!
Joseph has had time – most likely months – to process recent events, but even so, at this final moment, he ‘could no longer control himself’ (v 1). For the brothers, however, this must have been an absolute shocker! Again, a torrent of thoughts must have rushed through their minds: Is it really Joseph? Is he about to have his revenge (v 3)?
Maybe they felt their hearts rise as they realised they hadn’t caused the death of their brother after all! Maybe they also felt their hearts sink, as they realised that their betrayal from so many years ago is out of the bag and the awful truth will finally have to be told to Jacob.
Mercy and grace
We don’t know what private thoughts they had. What we do know is that when Joseph finds the words to explain, he immediately reveals forgiveness for the events that so haunt the brothers. He shares his understanding of God’s plans to keep his covenant family alive on the earth.
He also, on Pharaoh’s instruction, invites his whole family to come and live in the best of the land in Egypt, bestowing on them great honour and blessing. What mercy! What grace! What a beautiful reflection of what God does for us through Christ!
Respond: Forgiveness brings freedom. It transforms situations and is a powerful picture of God’s grace and mercy towards us. Is there anyone you need to really forgive? Ask God to help you forgive – fully and genuinely.
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-10-19
Scripture
About this Plan
WordLive provides a daily slice of Bible reading and commentary that, over four years, covers most of the Bible. The commentary encourages the reader to engage with the Bible passage in order to deepen their relationship with God, through reflection and practical application. The WordLive website offers further multimedia content and group Bible study, while registration offers a daily email, journal and bookmarking, and community tools.
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We would like to thank Scripture Union England & Wales for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.wordlive.org/youversion
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