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?

Matthew 5:38-42 "Kill Them With Kindness"

Read Matthew 5:38-42.

"Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." NIV

As I read through study notes and commentaries on this passage, here are a few things it is not meaning:

• If someone pokes your eye out, you are to literally poke their eye out.
• If someone attacks you, you do not defend yourself.
• If someone strikes you on the cheek, you turn your face so they will strike you on the other cheek. (See John 18:22-23.)
• That Christians are supposed to be mamby-pansies and let people walk all over us because of our faith.

What it does mean is we are not to exact revenge against those who would try to hurt us. We can seek justice -- God clearly teaches that wrong behavior requires punishment. But only in the judicial system - not in a personal act. We can also defend ourselves from the attacks. You don't have to stand there and be whipped to death. Put your arms up or run. The idea is to not seek out a way to get back at someone. Let justice take its course - whether in the earthly courts or the Lord's.

I also believe this verse speaks to humble generosity. Jesus clearly states that we are to give generously when someone wants our stuff or even forces us to help them. I think here of the whole, "kill them with kindness." In the end, it's just things and not worth squabbling over. Let them have your stuff; they can't take your soul. And for a truly dedicated believer, it's all the Lord's anyway.

Further Thoughts:

1. Research this passages and read the study notes and commentaries to get a complete picture of the passage and its historical origins.
2. Read the study notes from Exodus 21:23-25 and Leviticus 24:20. Compare and contrast acts of retribution with acts of love.
3. Some acts of cruelty against you will not be punished in this life. Look up the word "avenge" and read how God will take care of the injustices that sin has brought about.
4. So what is your plan now when someone hurts you? What would Jesus do?