Grace to the Guilty
Joseph could never have spoken such words of reassurance if he had not fully forgiven his brothers. You cannot genuinely embrace a person you've not fully forgiven.
Written by Chuck Swindoll, these encouraging devotional thoughts are published seven days per week.
Joseph could never have spoken such words of reassurance if he had not fully forgiven his brothers. You cannot genuinely embrace a person you've not fully forgiven.
This was Joseph's second part of the final exam. First came the vertical test. Had his brothers gotten to the place where they read the hand of God into their daily life? Yes.
This confession from Judah's mouth was amazing. But this was precisely what Joseph had been waiting for; this was why he had given the final exam.
Pain, when properly handled, can shape a life for greatness.
Do you long for Him? I've got great news! In an even greater way—greater than you could ever imagine—He longs to be gracious to you.
This reunion was really a banquet of grace—on full display—thanks to Joseph, a man of integrity and forgiveness.
Joseph was a great and powerful man, admittedly, but he was also a real human being with real human emotions, who could step out of the corridors of power and have the strength to weep his heart out.
I love the steward's reassuring response: "Be at ease," he told them. The Hebrew Bible says, simply, "Shalom."
Genesis 43:1–12
So, their father, Jacob, finally said to them, “If it can’t be avoided, then at least do this. Pack your bags with the best products of this land. Take them down to the man as gifts—balm, honey, gum, aromatic resin, pistachio nuts, and almonds. Also take double the money that was put back in your sacks, as it was probably someone’s mistake." (Genesis 43:11–12)
Negative thinking. A horizontal viewpoint. A closed mind to something that is unexpected and new. That's why we tend to panic.