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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Gen. 43-44
I mentioned yesterday that Jesus asks us to sacrifice the things we love the most. That is because these are the things that stand as a roadblock to our coming to Him. I see this in the story of the rich young ruler in Luke 18. This man came to Jesus seeking to follow Him, but went away sad because he was clinging to his wealth and could not let it go. I also see this truth portrayed in this story of Joseph’s reunion with his family. Jacob was initially unwilling to send Benjamin to Joseph because he was afraid of losing him. Judah told him, “Send the boy with me…so that we may live and not die.” (From Gen 43:8). And that’s how it is. We have to let go of what we don’t want to lose in order to live.
This story furthers that idea when Judah put his own life on the line to save his brother, Benjamin, for his father’s sake. It was this self-denying act that triggered Joseph’s revelation and deliverance of his family. It is the perfect demonstration of Jesus’ words in Luke 9. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lost it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? (Lk. 9:23b-25).
Gen. 45-46
I’ll continue with the correlation between Joseph’s reunion with his family and our reunion with God through Christ. Joseph told his brothers, “But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” (Gen. 45:7). God sent Jesus in much the same way for the same reason – to deliver us as a remnant for God.
Joseph also provided the means to bring his family to him. God likewise gives us everything we need to be reconciled to Him. The work and provision are all His. We need only to come. Joseph even told his family, “Do not be concerned about your belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.” And, “Don’t argue (be anxious) on the way.” (Gen. 45:20, 24b). In the same way Jesus tells us, “Don’t strive for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious… because your Father delights to give you the kingdom.” (Lk. 29, 32b).