Archive for the ‘repentance’ tag
Genesis 43-45: Repentance Proven no comments
Joseph had to deal with his brothers patiently, honestly, and decisively, just the way the Lord works with us when we have tried to cover our sins. Joseph’s immediate goal was to get all eleven brothers to Egypt so they could bow before him and fulfill the dream God had given him more than twenty years before. His ultimate goal was to get them to confess their sins and be reconciled to him and Jacob. The men had to come to the place where their mouths were stopped (Genesis 44:16; Romans 3:19).
In a masterful way, Joseph wove these two purposes together as he spoke roughly to them, accused them of crimes, and insisted on their bringing Benjamin to Egypt. Outwardly, he was a stern ruler; but behind the scenes, he was a weeping brother.
When Joseph saw that his brothers’ hearts were humble, and when he heard them confess their sins, he knew it was safe to reveal his identity to them. Our Lord knows just how to work in our lives to bring us to submission. Joseph could have fed them and their father without going through this lengthy procedure, but it would only have further ruined their character.
Joseph explained to them that God had sent him before them to preserve the nation so that Israel could be a blessing to all the earth (Genesis 12:1–3). God’s providential purpose did not minimize their sins or negate their responsibility (Acts 2:23; Acts 3:13–18), but it did help to ease their fear and sorrow. Joseph further reassured them by givingthem rich gifts and promising to care for the whole family. The gifts he sent home helped to give Jacob the assurance he needed that Joseph indeed was alive.
