UPDATE: This is a repeat of a QT on 2 Jan 2013. The story of Joseph's interactions with his brothers and his disguised self (they did not recognize him), reveal a mess that had consumed not only Joseph but also his family since the time of his brother's evil deed.
Genesis 42:4 (ESV) —
4 But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers, for he feared that harm might happen to him.
. . .
Genesis 42:21–24 (ESV) —
21 Then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” 22 And Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.” 23 They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them. 24 Then he turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.
NOTE: It has always been a question in my mind why Joseph plays the game that he does. His weeping gives a hint. He loves his family and so he is not engaged in a cruel joke. He weeps as he hears them recount their sin (Reuben calls it sin) against him (not knowing that he, Joseph, stood before them). At that point, he realizes that at least some of them are also suffering for what they have done to him. But he is apparently not completely convinced of the change in their lives and so he continues the game. His father's response is also interesting in keeping Benjamin home. While he might be playing favorites, it could be that in some way he does not trust the other sons to protect the youngest. He has no qualms about sending ten sons to get grain, but will not chance his youngest. It may be nothing, or distrust, or just not wanting to lose all his children at once. Either way, a game begins that is actually a test. Joseph adds other elements to the test, like secretly returning their money. All of it is to determine what the 17 years have done to his brothers and Father.
As another year passes by, so we too need to take stock. We don't have a Joseph to test us (or maybe we do), but we can ask hard questions.
PONDER:
- Is my life any different this year than last year or five years ago or ten years ago?
- Am I stuck in some valley because I choose not to take steps to move out?
A new year is a chance for new beginnings. But we can't do it on our own, nor will God do it for us. We must ask God for spiritual growth; we must confess sins; and we must choose to take the first step by laying out a plan of change. The simplest and most powerful is to meet with God for a daily 5-10 minute devotional each morning. Make it a new habit and your life will be revitalized beyond your wildest dreams.
PRAYER: Father, the sin of Joseph's brothers took nearly 20 years to solve. In that time, many were hurt and many carried deep guilt and pain. It is so sad to see almost two decades wasted because of lingering sin. I pray for you to open our eyes to our sin and our failures. We need to repent. Then we need you. We need to seek you and your power to overcome our failures and sin. And then we need to grow deeper in our relationship with you. I pray we would not let another year go by wasted because we did not get right with you.
UPDATE: Once again, the conditions regarding the loss of a son are recreated. Would the brothers tell their Father the truth? Would the Father trust them to get his son returned? For the most part, the sons are changing, but not so the Father. His pain is still deep. He needs to let go of the pain.
PRAYER: Father, new years are moments to change. In you, we can change each day and be transformed into a new creature. But new year's carry the idea of new beginnings -- a chance to start over, a chance to be different. The key is not trying to do too much, but choosing to do one life-changing thing and to do it well.
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