Deliverance From Mistakes

When Joseph accuses his brothers of being spies and consequently throwing them into prison, they think that God's will is to punish them for what they did 20 years earlier by selling their brother into slavery. Genesis 42:21-24 states, “They said to one another, ‘Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.’ Reuben replied, ‘Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.’ They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter. He turned away from them and began to weep.” As much as Joseph wanted to believe he was over what had happened to him and as much as he wanted to think that he had put the past behind him, his tears tell a different story. Twenty years later, the tears are just right there because he hasn’t actually released the hurt and resentment from the past. 

After being released from prison, Joseph’s brothers return home but shortly have to return again to purchase more food. This time they bring Benjamin along per Joseph’s request, despite the fear and hesitation from their father, Jacob. Upon returning to Egypt and seeing Joseph, the brothers all bowed before him. This is a fulfillment of the dream Joseph had when he was 17. Joseph was seeing, even more clearly, that nothing that had happened in his life was a surprise to God. Nothing that had happened to him caught God off guard. Joseph and his brothers were suffering, in different ways, because of what had happened in the past; Joseph was struggling with hurt and bitterness, and his brothers were struggling with guilt and shame. However, everything had worked together for God’s plan to be accomplished so that Joseph and his brothers could be brought together in this moment of reconciliation. 

Reflection/Discussion Questions: Is there a situation in your life where you deeply relate to Joseph? What is a different situation where you can relate more to his brothers?