Last week we saw how Joseph was
caught by his brothers, how his tunic was taken and how he was
thrown into a pit. He must have been so surprised and devastated by
their actions, but it was too late. He was literally down in the
pit, the lowest point. But yet we saw how God was there with him
and how He helped him even in these dire circumstances.
Now just after his brothers threw
him into the pit, they casually sat down to eat a meal. Not
bothered to offer Joseph any. It was then that their murderous plan
changed. They saw a company of Ishmaelite traders passing by on
their way to Egypt. Judah then had a bright plan:
"What profit is there if we
kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come and let us sell him to
the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our
brother and our flesh." And his brothers listened." Genesis 37:26,
27
They then went ahead and sold
Joseph for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites. They
watched as Joseph pleaded with them not to do it, but they didn't
head his call. They simply watched him leave, dragged behind the
caravan of traders.
Human trafficking is a shocking
practice that has gone on for thousands of years and unfortunately
it still hasn't stopped. It is still a practice going on today. The
brothers thought that is was better than killing him, but human
trafficking is almost as bad as killing someone. In fact they kill
the soul of the one sold. The brothers didn't realize it then, but
they hurt their own souls in the process. For twenty plus years
they had to walk with the guilt, the condemnation and regret of
what they had done. It haunted them until the day that they found
Joseph again. And even after living in Egypt with him for seventeen
years, they were still afraid of Joseph after their father Jacob
died. They were convinced that after their father had died that
Joseph will take revenge on them. So all in all they walked in
fear, regret, condemnation and guilt for almost four decades.
Basically a lifetime.
We should never walk that long with
regret, condemnation, fear or guilt over things we had done. All of
us do things wrong and all of us make mistakes. We all do. But we
need to let it go. We need to go and make amends where possible.
Where it was our fault, we need to go and apologize and help where
we possibly can. We need to get it off our chest. Of course God
forgives us when we ask Him. He doesn't condemn us anymore due to
the wonderful work of Jesus on the cross. We can walk freely in His
forgiveness and grace. But for our own sake, we need to go and make
amends with those that we have wronged. It sets us free, it truly
does. We needn't carry such a heavy burden if it is not necessary.
Mistakes are often made, but it shouldn't be left alone to fester
on the inside of us. We can make amends.
Do not allow these burdens to be
carried around any longer. They will weigh you down and cause you
to be heavy burdened and not ready to walk on the path that God
ordained for you. He wants what is best for you. Always and in all
things. He wants you free. He said that His burden is light, so
rather cast away the burdens you are carrying and take up His yoke,
light and free. Then you will be able to do what He wants you to do
and to go where He leads you to go. The time is now. Make peace
with the past and move on.
Father we are so sorry for the
wrong things we did against others. We are truly sorry. We want to
move on and be the person You created us to be. Take these burdens
from us and give us Your yoke that is light. Thank you that You
forgive us, You are amazing. Please help us on the road to make
amends with those that we hurt. Please give us the wisdom and the
courage to do it. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen