As we read through Chapter 44 in Genesis today, we see how God orchestrates our lives, even when we are oblivious to His works. Get involved
The first thing that caught my attention was the question asked at the very beginning of chapter 42. Jacob asks his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?”
I see this in every area of life. At work, I have sales agents who wait for their customers to tell them what they want instead of displaying curiosity and exploring what the client needs.
A small group of individuals at churches worldwide overwork themselves, filling all the gaps while others wait for instructions.
Even in our government, we see so few who will lead. Being reactive gets the funding to get reelected. Therefore, they wait for a lobbyist to tell them what to pursue. Those in power see a leader who takes initiative as a threat.
We all can see areas needing attention, but even speaking up about something will commit us to rectifying that need. So we remain silent.
This has to change. For our country to experience revival, it must start with us. We need to see where God is working and determine to join the effort.
Recognize our faults
When we do, we will see how God will not only use our strengths but also remove our weaknesses.
Then, in verse 42:8, we read how Joseph recognizes his brothers, but they don’t recognize him.
This is typical of sin. We try to block from our minds the transgressions we commit. It is easier to recognize the sin in others than our own.
It is also easier to remember those who have sinned against us, that it is those we have wronged.
When we share in the Lord’s Supper, we are told to remember our transgressions and if there is anyone we need to go ask forgiveness from, we are to do it before partaking. I try to think about who that might be, but my mind rarely comes up with anything. I know this is not an accurate reflection of my life. There is no doubt that I harbor bad thoughts, or inappropriate ones anyway, against many people.
We see someone with a torn or dirty shirt on at church and our initial thought is that they should have more reverence to come to church in such a way. We fail to consider that this might be their only shirt or that their washing machine is broken.
Instead of having judgmental thoughts, we should have compassion and inquire if there is a need we can meet. We may even do that, but not before first having the inappropriate response.
Do we ever go up to them and seek forgiveness and ask if there is any way we could assist?
Seek forgiveness
In 42:17, Joseph puts them in custody for three days.
For our transgressions, Jesus put Himself in a tomb for three days. The blood of our Savior washes away all our sins.
The Bible states: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14, NIV).
Therefore, we can know we will be forgiven if we reach out to our brothers and will forgive them.
Today, we need to ask ourselves. Are we reacting more like Joseph or his brothers? Joseph initiates trials and tests that unify his family. His brothers wait to do what they are told. This puts them in a compromising position throughout these chapters.
Because they are being so reactive, in verse 42:28, they ask, “What is this that God has done to us?” It is not God who has wronged them or brought about the perils they face. It is because of their sin against their brother and their unwillingness to take responsibility for this action.
