Friday, January 22, 2016

Friday, January 22, 2016

Genesis 45

[by Keesha Sullivan]

        Joseph's brothers wanted to kill him because they hated him so much. Instead of murdering their brother, greed won. They decided to sell him for 20 pieces of silver and make a little money. Joseph was sold into slavery at the tender age of 17 years old. He was a servant to Potiphar and imprisoned for 13 long, painful years. He had a lot of time to think and to dwell on the past. He had enough time to let bitterness grow in his heart and to come to hate his brothers for the trespasses that they had committed against him. 

The world would tell Joseph, "It's okay to be angry. You were treated unfairly. It's okay to be bitter and hold unforgiveness in your heart. Your brothers betrayed you. In fact, you should get revenge the next time that you see them. Allow them to feel the pain that you felt." The devil is the prince of this world and his ideals are present in our flesh. Instead of Joseph letting his flesh reign and joining forces with the devil, he decided to fear God and obey God's ways. Psalm 111:10 says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise."

From the reading today, we see how God led Joseph to handle the betrayal of his brothers. The scripture says, " And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land…So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me the father to Pharaoh" (Genesis 45: 5, 6, & 8). Joseph tells his brothers that he is not upset at them. In fact, he goes as far as to tell his brothers not to be upset with themselves.

Joseph realized that although God allows painful circumstances into our lives that "…God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (Romans 8:28). Joseph feared God and believed that He ultimately had control even when the trials and tribulations came. 

Lord help us to fear you and to believe that You have control even when the trials and tribulations come. Lord help us not to grow cold and bitter. Help us to forgive those that have betrayed and hurt us. Help us to not only to forgive, but help those that have hurt us forgive themselves. We want to emulate, obey, and honor You. Help us to become ambassadors for Your name's sake. In Jesus's name we pray. Amen