Bible Readings

Reading 37: God intended it for good

Read Genesis 49:29–50:26.

In today’s reading, we see that both Jacob and Joseph believed God to the very end. Before Jacob died, he requested to be buried in the cave in the field of Machpelah, where Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Leah were buried. He never doubted that God intended for the land to belong to Abraham’s descendants and he wanted to return there.

When he died, Joseph wept. Pharaoh declared an official mourning period in Egypt. He also ordered his high officials to accompany Joseph when he returned to Canaan to bury his father. These actions showed his high regard for Joseph. All but the youngest children in Jacob’s family went for the funeral.

There, Joseph led another week of mourning in Canaan. When someone we love dies, it is normal to grieve. God gave us emotions, and tears are appropriate in showing grief. While abnormal, prolonged grieving can paralyse a person, not taking time to grieve can also make it difficult for people to heal.

While it is important to take stock of a beloved family member’s life and honour the deceased, there comes a time when we have to return to life and all its duties. This doesn’t mean we forget the deceased, but it means we put life into perspective and recognise that the living must go on with the business of living. The best way to honour the dead is to live well before God.

Now that Jacob was dead, Joseph’s brothers were worried that Joseph might try to get revenge. They were doubting Joseph’s character and letting their fears overwhelm them.

The way they were behaving is similar to believers who are constantly worrying about God’s love for them. With every mistake they make, they wonder whether God still loves them. Where can such believers get assurance of God’s love for them?

Has not God given us His unchanging Word where He explains how every believer is justified through faith in Christ and will forever be a child of His? Will we not trust His Word?

Joseph’s brothers were too scared to speak to him but sent a message. How did Joseph respond? He wept! He was deeply hurt that his brothers didn’t believe his words or actions over the years. Hadn’t they been in Egypt now for 17 years and experienced nothing but love and care from him?

Are we like that with God? The Bible tells us that God forgave all our sins through the blood of Jesus Christ. And the Bible assures us that God is ready to forgive us if we do wrong but then approach Him for forgiveness. This is what 1 John 1:9 says: “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness”. God He uses His Word to assure us.

Joseph also used words to assure his brothers. “Don’t be afraid of me… You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.” And he reassured them: “No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.”

Joseph had God’s perspective. Yes, his brothers had made an evil decision. He didn’t downplay what they did. Their actions caused him years of suffering. But Joseph recognised that God had also worked to save the family through those very same events. Joseph could see God working behind the scenes of his brothers’ past actions. And so he could truly forgiven them.

Some believers think it is some kind of special humility to remain fearful and insecure about their justification. But this is actually a refusal to take God at His Word. Can God be trusted? Does He lie? Does He keep His promises? Even at this early stage in biblical history, can we not see that God can be completely relied upon? Joseph’s brothers had lived under a cloud of worry. But it was a waste of emotional energy.

Let’s not live in this way. Let us stand firm on God’s Word just as Joseph did. He only had God’s promises from the two visions he received. And he was isolated for years without a community of Yahweh believers. But his faith never faltered and God didn’t disappoint him.

Some two hundred years earlier, God had promised Abraham that his descendants would bless the nations. Joseph's life was not what he had expected, but through him, God blessed the nations by saving them all from the severe famine.

If we follow God's leading, we may be surprised by how He can use us to be a blessing to others.