Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

Genesis 45:1-3

Joseph was the eleventh son of his father Jacob, born of Rachel, and his dad’s favorite child. Genesis 37:3 says, “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors.” Because of Joseph’s relationship with his father and his gift of interpreting dreams, trouble brewed within the family. His brothers hated him. Actually, they wanted to kill him. They sold Joseph into Egyptian slavery, and as far as his father was concerned, he was dead.

Their story demonstrates that what goes around often comes around. After Joseph’s imprisonment, a famine hit Canaan. By this time, he had been promoted to food commissioner—second in command and power to the pharaoh. In an effort to survive, Joseph’s brothers journeyed to Egypt for food. Fast forward to the end of the story: Joseph forgave his brothers. He sent the brothers back to Canaan with gifts and invited the family to live in Egypt.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for being with Joseph. Thank you for reminding me that just as you were with Joseph, you are with me. Thank you for reminding me that even when I am wronged, I am still required to forgive and to give. Despite my times of suffering, I am still required to show compassion. Thank you for reminding me that as a compassionate steward, I have a responsibility to put myself in the shoes of others and be merciful. In the name of Jesus, I praise you. Amen.