Bible in a Year, Day 30: The Mercy of Joseph (Genesis 42-44)

Today's reading

Today's reading is Genesis 42-44, where famine sends Joseph's brothers to Egypt and Joseph puts them through a series of tests. The moment Pastor Jack Graham highlights comes when Judah steps forward.

Now therefore, please let your servant stay instead of the boy, my lord’s slave; and let the boy go up with his brothers.

(Genesis 44:33, WEB)

Reflection

Famine pushed Jacob's sons to Egypt for grain, and they bowed before the ruler without knowing he was the brother they had sold. Twenty years had passed. Joseph knew who they were, and he had the power to make them feel what he had felt. As Pastor Jack Graham put it, "Joseph had the opportunity to repeat the same pattern of hatred and bitterness and revenge that had plagued brothers since Cain and Abel."

Joseph chose a different path. He accused them of being spies, held them in prison for three days, and kept Simeon as a hostage until they brought their youngest brother. Along the way he wept, once turning away so they would not see. Pastor Graham explains the reason for the tests this way: "He needed to know, had God been working on them as well."

The final test came after a feast. Joseph hid his silver cup in Benjamin's sack, and when the steward found it, the brothers tore their clothes. Judah, the one who had the idea to sell Joseph, begged to stay as a slave in Benjamin's place because he could not go back to his father without the boy. In that moment, Graham says, Joseph knew his brothers had changed.

Pastor Graham calls Joseph's later words, that his brothers meant it for evil but God meant it for good, the Romans 8:28 of the Old Testament.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.

(Romans 8:28, WEB)

God had a plan in getting Joseph to Egypt. In Graham's words, "He was set ahead to preserve life."

Graham then points to Jesus. Like Joseph, Jesus was sold for silver, betrayed and rejected. God meant even that for good, which Graham describes as "the greatest good news in the world that Jesus Christ came to save us, to preserve our lives, and to give us eternal life."

Take it with you

• Is there someone you are tempted to repay for an old wrong? What would it look like to break that cycle instead?
• Judah offered himself in his brother's place. Where might God be showing you that change in someone, or in yourself?
• What painful chapter of your story could you hand to God, trusting that he works all things together for good?

Prayer

Lord, you see the wrongs done to us and the wrongs we have done. Keep us from the bitterness and revenge that tear families apart. Give us hearts that choose mercy, and help us trust that you are at work even in what others meant for evil. Thank you for Jesus, who was sold and rejected so that we could have life. Teach us to live in that mercy every day. Amen.