Genesis 43 - 44
Observation:
Joseph’s family ate all the grain they had purchased, and they needed to go buy some more. Jacob was hesitant to allow Benjamin (the youngest son) to go, for fear Jacob would never see Benjamin again. But the needs of the whole family were more important, so Jacob (reluctantly) allowed Benjamin to go with his brothers.
When Joseph saw Benjamin he was overwhelmed with emotion. I would imagine there were unresolved hurts from the way his brothers had treated him, and probably even with God for allowing these things to happen. In this moment, meeting his younger brother, Joseph would have been very aware of the years of suffering he went through due to his brothers’ actions so very long ago.
Joseph was wise to take some time to grieve before deciding on a course of action (43:30). Joseph was the second most powerful person in the land. One word from him and he could have had his brothers imprisoned or even killed. Instead, he served them a feast.
Application:
Joseph responded to hurt by grieving, then by showing love to those who had hurt him. This is a fabulous example of how we are to respond to our enemies (see what Jesus had to say about this in Matthew 5:38-48 and Luke 6:30-40).
In Romans (12:15-21) we are also told how we are to respond to others:
- Rejoice with those who rejoice
- Weep with those who weep
- Live in harmony with one another
- Associate with the lowly
- Repay no one evil for evil
- Do what is honorable in the sight of all
- Live peaceably with all (so far as it depends on you)
- Leave vengeance to God
- If your enemy is hungry, feed her
- If your enemy is thirsty, give her something to drink
- Overcome evil with good
Father, fill me with Your love so that I can love others the way You have told me to!
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