Thoughts on January 18 Bible Reading

January 18, 2018

Reading: Genesis 43-45

Genesis 45:5 (CSB)

⁵And now don’t be grieved or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life.

Genesis 45:7–8 (CSB)

⁷God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.

⁸Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Today’s reading in Genesis covers the story of Joseph revealing himself to his brothers and bringing his family to Egypt during the famine. From the verses above, a couple of things struck me from the reading. First, how amazing is it to see how God used the evil actions of Joseph’s brothers and of Potiphar’s wife to bring a rescue for the people of Israel? Who else could write this script? God really can take the terrible, broken things in our lives and redeem them. This does not in any way excuse our sinful actions, but it does provide us hope that God can still work in us and through us despite our past failures.

Second, how amazing is it that Joseph was able to perceive the things that happened in his life as God’s plan to rescue his brothers? How amazing is it to see Joseph fully forgive his brothers for the evil they had done to him? How would you treat your brothers if they sold you into slavery and told your father you were dead? Joseph’s life is a foreshadowing of Jesus in many ways. Joseph suffered because of the sins of his brothers. Yet, Joseph forgave his brothers and rescued them from certain death, just as Jesus has done for those who know Him.

Oh Lord, please help us to be in awe of the way you redeem us. Please help us to extend the same forgiveness to others that you have extended to us through Christ. Amen.