Genesis 43:1—45:15: Family Reconciliation

Warming Up to God

Why does it seem so hard to freely accept God's forgiveness? Today, let yourself rest with confidence in the truth that God's forgiveness covers over every one of your sins. Jesus forgives you now.

• Rest. I feel that rest is so out of reach. Every day I do something wrong in my parenting. I yell at my kids, I don't play when I should, I don't do dishes, I...there is so much. I know that I am not enough for this job. I want more than this life, which, I suppose is why I started my business.
• Well, forgive me today and help me slow down. I shouldn't have to hurry, even if I do have 925,600 things to do!

Discovering the Word

As Jacob instructs his sons and takes the risk of losing Benjamin, where does his confidence lie (43:11-14)?

• In God Almighty. Though he also sends the finest gifts he can send.

What insights do verses 26-34 of chapter 43 give us into Joseph's character?

• He must be a sensitive man. He seems willing to forgive his brothers from the start, even if he does want to test them first.
• He also must be very generous.

The stage is now set for the climax of this drama (chapter 44). What final strategy does Joseph devise in verses 1-17?

• He not only returns their money back to the men's sacks, but he places his personal silver cup inside Benjamin's sack.
• After they leave for home, Joseph sends men to bring them back. 
• When the brothers are stopped, they all open their sacks and the cup is found in Benjamin's sack.
• Joseph tells them that he will take the thief as his servant and then all the other brothers may go home.
• The plan is meant to test whether or not they will repeat history and abandon their brother.

Judah's appeal is one of the great intercessions in the Bible. How does his attitude differ from that shown by him and his brothers twenty-three years earlier (44:18-34)?

• He is desperate.
• He is selfless (self sacrificing, actually). He thinks not only of his brother Benjamin, but also of his father.

How does Joseph explain to his brothers the reason for his being sold into Egypt and the purpose of his sufferings (45:1-11)?

• God sent him to preserve their lives and to ensure that they do not go to poverty...although, in the next book they will be slaves...

Applying the Word

Think of a difficult situation you are currently facing. How can you entrust it to God Almighty, the one for whom nothing is impossible?

• I  can entrust it to him, but it's hard because it seems easier to think that we are out here on our own and we need to find our way. That is what the devil seems to be whispering now.
• I have many decisions to make in the coming months. We've already bought a house in a location that is going to completely change our lives. Now it remains to be seen whether or not I continue working down here, and where we take Emmett to school, and where to take the boys to daycare. 
• It is too easy to worry about it and go back and forth on the decisions and worry some more.
• But I do think that the house was the right move, even if it does make my life inconvenient in many ways.
• Lord, help me to trust you and not worry. Help me come to you every time I feel the worry coming on. I believe that you are moving us back to Wichita for a reason. You are the orchestrator of our lives and you will see us through. Help me to have perspective, to have no guilt, but to bring my eyes to heaven when I feel anxious or insecure. 
• For everything you created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. It has been made holy by the word of God and prayer.

Restoring a relationship fractured by injustice and injury requires repentance, confession and acceptance of responsibility for the consequences. In what way have you, like Joseph's brothers, been involved in such a process?

• Not really. I wish I could. I have a friend that I need to reconcile with, but it is difficult because she shows no wish to talk.

How can this perspective toward your own suffering make it possible for you to forgive someone who has grievously wronged or hurt you?

• I guess it makes the process much less about me, which makes it a bit easier to cope with the process.

Responding in Prayer

Think of one step you need to take to encourage reconciliation with someone you know. Ask God to give you the love, patience and courage to follow through.

• I could just give her a call and ask to meet sometime. God, give me love, patience and courage to know the timing of this call, and then to follow through.