Genesis 44-45 -- Reconciliation Followed Recognition of Sin

“Be sure your sin will find you out,” is what the Bible says, but my commentary says our modern society thinks that no longer applies – that there is no absolute truth, and no consequences as a result.  “For 22 years, Joseph’s brothers had followed that philosophy and carefully covered their sins.”

Joseph set a trap to bring them to admit their sin by hiding their money and his silver cup in their grain bags before sending them back toward Canaan.  Then he sent his servant to spring the trap.

Judah showed that his heart had changed by stepping up to offer himself as a substitute for Benjamin.  His words, “God has found out the iniquity of your servants … refers to their hidden sins, the way they had treated Joseph and their father years before,” my commentary said.

When Joseph cleared the room of all but his brothers, and then said simply, “I am Joseph,” what must the brothers have been thinking!  They surely worried about the punishment that was sure to come.  Yet Joseph told them plainly how God had overruled their sin and worked it all out for good, to accomplish His divine purposes.

“The story of Joseph and his brothers encourages us to recognize the sovereignty of God in the affairs of life and to trust His promises no matter how dark the day may be,” my commentary said.

Joseph told them to take extra food and wagons and to hurry back to Canaan to bring his father and their entire family back to Egypt, where God would take care of them during the remaining five years of famine to come.  And for four centuries, God would use this move to form the new nation of Israel and then move them back to the Promised Land.

Father, thank You for this great picture of reconciliation, especially the part of seeing changed hearts and lives as a result of Your personal involvement in lives.  Please do the same in our family.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford