We’re still in our Dysfunctional Family Series centered around the family of Jacob. Our focus has been on Joseph who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. We’ve talked about how Jacob’s favoritism of Joseph over the rest of his brothers fed the dysfunctionalism. I think all families have some type of dysfunction that they deal with, some better than others.
Dysfunction in a family can be very stressful! We can expect the same kind of dysfunction in society as a whole, too. The world is not going to act like Christ because they don’t know him. This can only be rectified by repentance. It doesn’t matter if the other person repents, only if you do.
In Joseph’s story we’ve gotten to Gen 44 where the brothers return and bring Benjamin, much delayed because of Jacob’s reluctance due to the fear that he would also lose Benjamin.
Joseph was terribly wounded by what his brothers had done. He wanted to know if they’d changed. He put them to the test.
Now Joseph gave these instruction to the steward of his house: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack. Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” — Gen. 44:1-2
When his brothers hadn’t gone far, Joseph sent his steward after them to retrieve his silver cup. They of course, denied that they had taken it. When the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack, they tore their clothes. They went back to the city to face Joseph. Judah told Joseph that they were all his slaves.
Joseph only required the one with the possession of the cup to be the slave. The rest were to return to their father. Judah begged Joseph to reconsider and he explained the situation at home with Benjamin being the only son left of his mother. Their father loves Benjamin and would certainly grieve the loss of another son. He insisted that he would stay and the other brothers could return home.
All of the brothers accept responsibility for the cup that was in Benjamin’s sack. Why did Joseph do this? Perhaps he wanted to see if they would treat Benjamin similar to the way they did Joseph. Seeing that they were willing to take the blame let Joseph see there was a heart change.
When we don’t take care of our sins by asking forgiveness, they start to eat away at us. We feel ashamed and struggle with the guilt. This is likely how the brothers felt over their betrayal of Joseph.
True repentance causes heartfelt change.
Judah was the planner of Joseph’s treatment. This is a complete change. He is living for his father.
Clean up what is your fault. Meet in the middle. Words aren’t enough. It takes change of heart and actions.
Joseph had to also repent. He flaunted the coat in front of his brothers. And remember how he made a big deal out of the dream of them bowing down to him? He wasn’t faultless.
Do we offer forgiveness before or after the repentance? Restoration is dependent on both giving forgiveness.
God is always in our lives. He always knows what’s coming. He never says, “I didn’t see that coming.” This whole thing was orchestrated by God. Joseph needed to be in Egypt, in prison at the particular time when he could interpret the dreams of the baker and the cupbearer. The reason for the issue with Potiphar’s wife, as well. The situations may seem negative, but God can use all things for the good he wants for his people.
True repentance requires taking responsibility and heartfelt change.
The story of Christ is all about the Lion of Judah who takes responsibility for what we’ve done.
God is in control! Sovereignty over all.
This has been a great study looking into Joseph’s life. I always get so much out of these studies where we go deep in the scriptures. God reveals to us things that we’ve never noticed before. Sometimes it takes someone else to point it out, but we have to pay attention to catch the message. Isn’t this the role of a pastor? I’m so thankful for the opportunities to learn more through sermons and Bible studies. It takes community to help us all grow.
In Faith,
Pam
Where God Leads 