-reading Genesis 45: 1-15
For the next two days, we are going to leap into the deep well of Jacob’s family story. Jacob is the proud father of 12 sons (and some unnamed daughters, too). In Genesis 37, we are told that Jacob loved his son, Joseph, more than any of his other children. You remember Joseph, don’t you? Jacob gave him a glorious, striped dream coat to wear. Joseph’s brothers resented their father’s favoritism. Then, with poor judgment, Joseph told his brothers about some amazing dreams he had had. All the sheaves of the field bowed to him, and Joseph even boasted that the sun, moon, and stars had bowed down to him! C’mon, Joseph: did you really need to brag so much? Couldn’t you see that your brothers were jealous of you? Their resentment made them want to kill you, but instead, your brothers sold you to a caravan of traders headed for Egypt. In Egypt, you were sold to Potiphar, the captain of the Egyptian guard; then you were thrown into prison; after that, you became known as an interpreter of dreams, and Pharaoh asked you for your help; after 10 years, Pharaoh named you the governor of all his lands. Ah! What a success story! Your dreams did come true! Then, years of famine came, but you, Joseph, had planned carefully, and your storehouses were full. Hungry people asked for help, and you sold your grain to all who were in need. Joseph, you even sold grain to your own brothers — and, at first they did not recognize you! Oh, how you wept when you met them, especially when they told you that your father, Jacob, was still alive. How many of us have behaved like young Joseph? He was so full of himself. How many of us have been resentful of a family member, a classmate, or a co-worker who has bragged and postured and gotten all the breaks? How many of us have been so jealous that our judgment has boiled within us?
Prayer: Loving God, like Joseph, I admit my own self-centeredness. I confess that I have been all too proud of my accomplishments. Like Joseph’s brothers, I admit that I am the jealous type. I confess that I can find all kinds of reasons to criticize or silently insult my family members, my neighbors, and even a stranger who wins the lottery. God, I am brought low by my own mistakes. How can I clear myself? (Take a moment to ask God to forgive you. Ask God to help you make amends with those you have harmed in thought, word, or deed. Then remember what Joseph said to his brothers in Genesis 45:4-8.) Gracious God, I thank you for Joseph’s merciful examples of your love. “Come closer,” he said with kindness… “I am your brother,” he said with welcome… “Do not be distressed,” he said with forgiveness… “God sent me before you … and I will provide for you,” he said with understanding… Thank you, Lord, for your amazing grace. Amen
Written by Lilja Behr