Love and the Past - Genesis 45:1-9, 25-28 Joseph could no longer control himself in front of all his attendants, so he declared, “Everyone, leave now!” So no one stayed with him when he revealed his identity to his brothers. 2 He wept so loudly that the Egyptians and Pharaoh’s household heard him. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I’m Joseph! Is my father really still alive?” His brothers couldn’t respond because they were terrified before him. 7 God sent me before you to make sure you’d survive and to rescue your lives in this amazing way. 4 Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me,” and they moved closer. He said, “I’m your brother Joseph! The one you sold to Egypt. 5 Now, don’t be upset and don’t be angry with yourselves that you sold me here. Actually, God sent me before you to save lives. 6 We’ve already had two years of famine in the land, and there are five years left without planting or harvesting.

Love and the Past - Genesis 45:1-9, 25-28 8 You didn’t send me here; it was God who made me a father to Pharaoh, master of his entire household, and ruler of the whole land of Egypt. 9 “Hurry! Go back to your father. Tell him this is what your son Joseph says: ‘God has made me master of all of Egypt. Come down to me. Don’t delay. 25 So they left Egypt and returned to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. 26 They announced to him, “Joseph’s still alive! He’s actually ruler of all the land of Egypt!” Jacob’s heart nearly failed, and he didn’t believe them. 27 When they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the wagons Joseph had sent to carry him, Jacob recovered. 28 Then Israel said, “This is too much! My son Joseph is still alive! Let me go and see him before I die.” CEB

Joseph’s Dysfunctional Family

Deception 1 - Rebekah deceived her husband Isaac to get the blessing that belong to first-born Esau for her favorite son, second-born Jacob. Rebekah and Jacob fooled Isaac with Esau’s clothing and a goat. Two consequences for fooling Isaac came back to Jacob. His Uncle Laban deceived Jacob into marrying the first-born daughter Leah instead of the second- born Rachel whom he loved. Jacob’s sons deceived him into thinking that wild animals had killed his beloved son, Joseph. Joseph’s brothers used Joseph’s clothing and the blood of a goat to deceive Jacob.

Deception 2 Jacob’s beloved was Rachel but at the wedding, Uncle Laban substituted first-born Leah for younger daughter Rachel. Leah’s name is close to the Hebrew word for “ram”. Rachel’s name is the Hebrew word for “ewe”. The consequence Uncle Laban faced for fooling Jacob happened when Jacob became wealthy taking care of Laban’s rams and ewes.

Deception 3 When Jacob and his family finally fled from Laban, Rachel stole Laban’s household gods. When Laban came looking for them, Rachel hid the idols under her seat and claimed she could not get up because she was having her monthly period. The deception/consequence pattern hit Rachel hard when she died giving birth to Benjamin.

Deception 4 Joseph’s brothers deceived Jacob over the disappearance of Joseph. They had sold Joseph into slavery. The brothers get what they deserved when they kneel before Joseph and say, “We’re here as your slaves”.

Joseph’s Painful Past

Joseph’s Steadfast Love - Genesis 50:15-21 15 When Joseph’s brothers realized that their father was now dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge against us, and wants to pay us back seriously for all of the terrible things we did to him?” 16 So they approached Joseph and said, “Your father gave orders before he died, telling us, 17 ‘This is what you should say to Joseph. “Please, forgive your brothers’ sins and misdeeds, for they did terrible things to you. Now, please forgive the sins of the servants of your father’s God.” ’ ”

Joseph’s Steadfast Love - Genesis 50:15-21 Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers wept too, fell down in front of him, and said, “We’re here as your slaves.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I God? 20 You planned something bad for me, but God produced something good from it, in order to save the lives of many people, just as he’s doing today. 21 Now, don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.” So he put them at ease and spoke reassuringly to them. CEB

How did Joseph choose wise love and skillful mercy in-spite all the hurt and misery he faced? Joseph kept on paying attention to his dreams. Joseph did not waste energy assigning blame. Joseph trusted God to take care of his destiny. Joseph cared about the well being of others. Joseph forgave those who hurt him.