A Good Story After All
Genesis 42:18-43:34
Matthew 13:47-14:12
Psalm 18:16-36
Proverbs 4:7-10
I feel like this story about Joseph seeing his brothers again after so long is an uncharacteristically emotional story for the Bible.
Certainly, the Bible has many heart wrenching, sorrowful, moving, sad, emotional stories...but I can't think of another story that is so vividly described as emotional.
"Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there. After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, 'Serve the food.'" Genesis 43:30-31
It's written like a novel! Can't you picture it so well?
I can imagine it being like those moments in life when you are so overwhelmed and you just break down crying. You can't help it and you feel it in your stomach. He has to hurry out of the room to weep! He's losing his grip...this is all too much for him.
I can imagine what it felt like to cry so hard. But I don't know how well I can imagine what it would be like to live Joseph's story and then to come to this moment. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers...they threw him in a pit and he "was distressed" and "pleaded for his life." He was a young boy and his own family put him in this horrendous situation.
He's carried off and becomes a slave. Then he is imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit! He's in prison for years!
Throughout Joseph's story we can see God working in his favor...there's no denying that. But at a time like this I wouldn't blame Joseph if at the sight of his brothers he looked at his life as one unfortunate event after the other...and I wouldn't blame him if he looked at his brothers and said it was all there fault.
But I don't know if that's why he's weeping...it may be hard to say why. But I think it's because he's simply grieving. He's grieving for all that he lost. He was supposed to live his life with his loving father...he would have met his little brother...he would have lived a safe and happy life. And that was a loss to be sure.
One thing I do for sure though is as we keep reading we will see that for all his grieving and all his possible anger and accusations, etc, Joseph chooses to see his life for the good God things that happened. He chooses to see his life as good despite all the bad that happened. He chooses to see that God had a plan all along.
And it is all very moving.
Psalm 18:30-36
As for God, His way is perfect:
the LORD's Word is flawless;
He shields all who take refuge in Him.
For who is God besides the LORD?
And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
He causes me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You make Your saving help my shield,
and Your right hand sustains me;
Your help has made me great.
You provide a broad path for my feet,
so that my ankles do not give way.
Tomorrow:
Genesis 44:1-45:28
Matthew 14:13-36
Psalm 18:37-50
Proverbs 4:11-13