Joseph: Genesis 43:1-45:28 "True Motivation"

Read Genesis 43:1-45:28.

"Why have you repaid good with evil?" NIV

Joseph starts here really messing with his brothers. What is the reason? Is he exacting revenge on his brothers? Is he testing them to see if they have grown in integrity, humility, and love? Is he proving to them the power he has gained in spite of their actions? Is God directing Joseph to put his brothers through these steps? We can't really know the answer to any of these questions, but we can see the outcome. 

Joseph's brothers were humbled; they had become men of integrity; and they loved their father enough to not cause him grief a second time. The tests that Joseph puts his brothers through demonstrate all these traits. It also proves to them, once he has revealed himself, that he is trustworthy to take care of the whole family in Egypt. 

In the end, Joseph does not blame his brothers, but gives God all the honor and glory. What an amazing example of forgiveness. Did the brothers sin against Joseph? Yes. But with time and perspective, Joseph was able to see that God had planned it all along. Even with the bad times that Joseph had to go through, God was building his character. He also transformed the brothers through the pain of their guilt to where they even recognized punishment for their crime 20 years later. And most importantly, God made a way for the Hebrew children to immigrate to Egypt.

Could God have gotten Joseph and the Hebrews to Egypt another way? Of course He could. But He used the brother's jealousy and sin to make something good happen. God's transforming power. He's the only one who can take something horrible and painful and change it for our good and for His glory. How often when we have bad things happen to us do we sit around and moan and groan or become angry with others and with God. Some people will even walk away from the God because of difficulty casting the blame His way as they slam the door. The truth is that we must continue to trust God not just in the good times, but in the midst of trouble as well. As believers, we know there is a reason for everything, and God will make good what He will have to be done. We just see a microscopic view of history; God sees the whole picture -- past, present, and future. What He has designed will come about. We just have to choose if we will be participants in the transformation and with what kind of attitude we will maintain. 

Further Thoughts: 

1. Who else in the Bible had to suffer because of their own sin or someone else's sin? 
   
2. Are you angry at someone or even at God because of troubles in your life? If you are, you're not alone, and you might as well own up to your anger. You're not hiding your anger from God. But know that He loves you, understands your pain and hurts with you. He will never leave you but walk the road with you. His love is greater for you than you can ever imagine and His greater good will win out in the end.
   
3. Find Scripture that supports the fact that God is in control. What about His character shows that too us, too?

James 1:19-20 "Purposeful Communication"

James 1:19-20.

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." NIV

Oh, how many difficulties, wars, divorces, and broken relationships could have been avoided if these verses had been written on everyone's heart. We each could read this every single day, and still not get it right. Let's look at each part of the verse.

"quick to listen" - How many times do we really listen when someone is talking to us? I would adventure not real often. Most of the time we are formulating in our mind what we will say next. We just don't seem to take enough time to really listen to what people are saying - both verbally and non-verbally. What are the nuances of their speech, word choice, body language? Are we just hearing words or discerning meaning? Communication takes time and time is precious. If this person is giving up time to speak to me, then I need to give them time and really listen to what they have have to say with attentiveness and respect. I don't have to agree with them to listen. I don't have to like what they are saying or even be interested in the topic. But to show them love as a human being, I need to honor them with my attention. Besides, you may be amazed at what you will learn.

"slow to speak" - Have you ever watched a wise elderly person. They never speak quickly. They choose their words very carefully and seem to always say something profound with each breath. That is what I am always striving for and seem to so often miss. I have a friend who before she answers her phone, she will pray for the person on the other end. We should take that approach before every conversation we have. "Lord, bless this person and may I speak wisdom and truth to them." Thinking through our words; letting the Father guide our conversations. Responding in love, not reacting in haste or anger. Taking time to breathe and speak from a place of peace rather than panic. Maybe in that pause realizing we must remain quiet.

"slow to become angry" - This is probably the toughest one of all three. Our first inclination and evidence of our sinful nature rearing its ugly head is lashing out at someone who is attacking us. Or maybe its because they are inconveniencing us. No matter what, anger usually is based in selfishness. You are doing or saying something I don't like, so I have a right to retaliate because I'm being hurt; I'm being inconvenienced; I'm not happy; I'm; I'm; I'm.

So many of our outbursts of anger could be quashed if we took time to listen and were slow to speak. It's all about slowing down in love. To truly express love to our fellow man, we must give them our time. Time to hear what they have to say -- not just in words -- but in meaning and heart. Time to speak truth and wisdom back to them -- guiding them in love. And time to save our anger for the things God would be angry about, not just exploding at every inconvenience to me. Then we will be living the righteous life that God desires.

Further Thoughts:

1. Study how Jesus responds in difference situations. His words are never wasted and His anger is reserved for very specific situations.
2. Work really hard today to listen intently. What are people really saying to you?
3. Pray before each conversation. It doesn't have to be a long prayer; simply commit your words to the Lord and ask for His guidance.
4. Check your anger. Before getting angry, stop and complete the first two directives -- quick to listen, slow to speak. Take time, in love, to understand the other person before spewing venom all over them. There may be hidden meanings behind their actions or words that you need to hear and understand.

Matthew 5:21-26 "United"

Read Matthew 5:21-26.

Here Jesus begins to talk about some of the laws he was referring to in 5:17-20. We all would agree that murder is a sin, but do we think about our attitudes that we have toward one another that come short of murder? I have seen believers chew each other up and spit each other out with their words. We, as believers, can be some of our worst enemies. How many times have you seen one Christian turn on another Christian and usually over petty issues? It's not only wrong; Jesus is saying it's a sin.

Jesus did not sacrifice His life so we can argue over the color of the new carpet, programs, church discipline, or even doctrine. We should all be on the same page and that is Jesus Christ's message of love and forgiveness. Yet we can still be some of the worse forgivers out there. Which brings us right back to living as the Pharisees in their legalism and hypocrisy for which Jesus said will bring us to a point that we will not enter the kingdom of heaven. In other words, we will be in the same boat as the worst sinners on the planet -- both of us missing out on heaven and eternity with the Lord. The fact is black and white as much as many hate to admit it. Either you are following Christ and living and working united together as believers or you are not. Do you really want to risk your eternal destination on petty differences or live as a united army marching to the beat of the same drummer? I choose the latter.

Lord, help me to keep my focus on You and not on my petty agenda. You made it very simple, share Jesus and His love and walk as Jesus walked. Keep me busy enough working on how I live my own life that I don't have time to be picking at others. I want to remain in harmony with my fellow believers. We have a tough job, and I, for one, don't want to do it alone. Thank You for my brothers and sisters around the world. Bless them, Lord.

Further Thoughts:

1. Look up verses on "anger" and "reconciliation."
2. See how many times you can find in the Bible the phrase, "slow to anger and abounding in love." I think God's trying to tell us something.
3. Jacob and Esau had to deal with reconciliation. Read their story in Genesis 32:1 - 33:17.
4. So according to this passage, is it possible to be reconciled to God and not to your fellow believers? See also 2 Corinthians 5:11-21.
5. Is there someone you are angry with or they are angry with you? How are you going to reconcile with them? Begin by praying for them.