Hello everyone!
So, in today's reading, Genesis 43-45, Joseph's brothers get their father's permission to take Benjamin back to Egypt.
When they arrived with Benjamin, Joseph invites them to dine with him, and is so overwhelmed by the sight of Benjamin, his mother's son, that he has to leave the room to weep.
He gives Benjamin the largest portion of everything: food while they are dining, and money when they leave.
But Joseph has one final test for his brothers.
He places a silver goblet in Benjamin's sack. When Joseph's soldiers overtake them, the brothers, being innocent, declare that whomever among them has taken the goblet shall die and the rest will become Joseph's slaves.
When the soldiers find the goblet and bring the brothers back to Joseph, he accuses them of theft and declares that the one who took it will remain to be his slave.
The brothers then declare that it would kill their father if Benjamin does not return to him, since he is the last of his mother's sons, and offer themselves up as slaves in his place.
Joseph then takes pity on them, and reveals himself, seeing how far they will go to protect Benjamin.
He says that he does not hold a grudge against them, since what they intended for evil, God used for good, to preserve the whole land of Egypt during the famine.
Then Joseph sends for his father, and intends to give him land so he can settle near him.
But Pharaoh hears that Joseph's family is coming and offers the choicest land to Joseph's family.
God really turned things around for Joseph, but, because of Joseph's forgiveness and mercy, God was also able to bless Joseph's family.
So, I love this part of Joseph's story, not only because of the family reunion, but also because of the lesson in forgiveness.
If Joseph had continued to hold a grudge against his family, he would have had a barrier between himself and God.
Remember, forgiveness is never for the other person, but for yourself.
Thus, because Joseph forgave his family, God prospered him, used him to help the whole land of Egypt, and helped him to bless his family too.
What an amazing lesson. I hope you'll join me next time when I read Genesis 46-47, when Joseph reunites with his father.
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