Word travels fast, and soon Pharaoh was involved with the reunion. Because Joseph had been such a blessing to him and his people, Pharaoh wanted to give back. He wanted for all of Joseph’s family to move to Egypt and be given only the finest things. It was Joseph’s families’ turn to be blessed.
I’ve always tried to imagine how Jacob must have felt. When he saw Joseph’s tattered coat, and no sign of Joseph for all these years, he had to assume Joseph was lost forever. To hear that Joseph was alive and well must have seemed like a dream. A happy day to be sure when it started to sink in. A time to celebrate! Continue reading “Genesis 45:16-28 – Happy Day!”
Was it just me, or did you get a little misty-eyed when you read today’s passage? I suppose coming off a week involving a funeral in our family as I write this doesn’t help my emotional stability. Being reunited with family is such a beautiful thing. I knew this reunion was coming for Joseph, but I’m trying to read each day’s passage as if it’s the first time I’ve ever read it. That can be a challenge when you’ve studied the same passage in Sunday School, church, Bible studies, etc.
If I’ve learned one thing over the past couple weeks reading through Genesis — don’t suggest that someone die if they are found to be guilty. If they had listened to the brothers, Benjamin would be dead. You may recall an earlier story that would have killed Rachel should the idols be found. Of course, the brothers here were also blown away by the mere suggestion they had done something wrong. Again. Deja vu. It wasn’t possible.
Do you know that rumbling in the pit of your stomach when you have reason to fear being caught for something? Guilt. Dread. It’s not a fun feeling. You can bet the men in our story were experiencing that as they headed back to Egypt with Benjamin. When they were whisked off to Joseph’s quarters, you can bet that feeling intensified.
Have you ever had to settle? By that, I mean that you accept something that might not have been the best solution? You selected it because it was simpler. At some point, you begin to wonder why you went that direction. So many people are ready to take the easy way out. People these days want immediate results.
