God exalted Joseph to second in
command in all of Egypt. Joseph didn't have the credentials, the
education or the experience for that position, but yet God ordained
it to be so. And because Joseph was willing and keen to do his best
and to listen to God, everything worked out great. Joseph was
successful in all that he did and his plan of collecting enough
food for everybody to use during the time of famine worked out
quite well. We therefore learn that when God places us in certain
situations we shouldn't be worried; He will look out for us and
help us through it. He will give us the wisdom to handle the
situations and to excel in His plan for our lives.
Joseph did so well in offering food
to the Egyptians, people from other countries heard about the food
as well. It spread as far as Canaan to Joseph's family. His father,
Jacob heard about the grain in Egypt:
"And he said, "Indeed I have
heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to that place and buy
for us there, that we might live and not die." Genesis
42:2
So Joseph's ten brothers set off to
Egypt to collect grain. Little did they know that they would
encounter their brother Joseph. He immediately recognized them even
though they didn't recognize him. He spoke to them and learned that
he had a brother that he didn't even know of, Benjamin. He wanted
to meet him and in the same breath test his brothers to see if they
have changed. He took one of them, Simeon and placed him in jail.
The rest he sent back to go and fetch Benjamin, as well as to take
food back to their families. Just before they went, they said the
following:
"We are truly guilty concerning
our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded
with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come
upon us." And Reuben answered them, saying, "Did I not speak to
you, saying, "Do not sin against the boy": and you would not
listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us." Genesis
42:21, 22
They felt terribly guilty for what
they had done to Joseph. They sold him when he was seventeen years
old and he was probably now between 38 and 40 years old. So for
more than twenty years they carried this guilt around with them.
Nothing in this situation suggested that this happened to them
because of what they did to Joseph and yet that is the first
conclusion that they jumped to. What they did to Joseph must have
tormented them for years and years. It was terrible what they did
and yet God used it for good. God used it to save His people from
famine through Joseph.
They were truly sorry for what they
had done, they were remorseful. And at the end God used them to
become the twelve tribes of Israel, His beloved nation.
We might also have done terrible
things in the past. We might also be remorseful about things we
have said and done to other people. Do not carry this guilt around
with you for one single day more. Lay it down at the feet of Jesus.
Ask Him for forgiveness, He gives freely to all. Then go and make
amends with the person that you have harmed. If it is not possible
to do that, do that in the Spirit and be set free. Then move on
with your life and be free from all guilt and condemnation. Jesus
came to set us free. He wants to use us in mighty ways, we must
just be pliable and willing to repent and move where He wants us to
move. Our future is bright, no matter what we have done in the
past. God can work with that and bring beauty from ashes.
Father, we are so sorry for things
that we have done in the past. We were spiritually immature and
didn't realize what we were doing. We are so sorry about it. Thank
you for forgiving us, we praise You and look forward to our future
with You. Amen