Genesis chapter 45
RECONCILATION part 2
"Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all that stood by him: and he cried, cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. And Joseph said unto his brethren, COME NEAR TO ME, I PRAY YOU. And they came near. And he said I AM JOSEPH YOUR BROTHER whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved or angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life"-Genesis 45v3-4.
There was no hint of vengeance, or recrimination, or grudge of any kind. In elated compassion he greeted his brethren who had robbed him of his youth, and so maltreated him, yet he forgave them.
"God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance".
Instead of punishment for their evil ways, the lord of Egypt proceeded to pour upon them privilege upon privilege; blessing upon blessing.
He sent them to bring their father down to Egypt. By reason of prudent stocking up during the years of plenty there was enough food for all through Joseph. There was still 5 years of famine, so all the family would be saved-v6-9.
As lord of all Egypt, he provided the land of Goshen in which they could live-v10-11. Thus he saved them for the present and the future.
He offered the personal touch by kissing them and weeping with them for joy. Not for Joseph the pride of lordship over the greatest power on earth, happy that his family were safe.
Provision was made for the journey of the elderly Jacob to relocate to Egypt, with the blessing of the Pharoah. No mention of the past with all the injustices, only talk of, and provision for, the future.
This is reconciliation indeed, where the word forgiveness meant giving good for evil, blessing for cursing. In present circumstances, we should bear in mind that these are God's people, saved by Him, provided for against all future threats. Also through them, in blessing of them, all families of the earth are blessed.
So it will be in the future, with the position of Israel still not realised. The nation which rejected the Son of the Blessed (to whom the father gave the coat of many colours); which mocked Him, and maltreated Him, and eventually crucified Him, and who for centuries have forgotten Him, will have their eyes opened to see that Jesus was truly their Messiah, whom God had sent to save them. In the present they are blinded, because they rejected Divine light-Romans 11v8-10; 11v25; Psalm 69v23; Isaiah 6v9; 29v10, but their eyes will be opened-Isaiah 29v18; 35v5; 42v7; Romans 11v26. In the present the nation is diminished, in that day they will be exalted. In the present they are alienated, in that day they will be reconciled, just as in the biblical, historical narrative of Joseph. This reconciliation will be full and complete and glorious. Scripture is replete with references to the reconciliation of true Israel-Isaiah 11v11-12; 60v18-21; Jeremiah 23v3-8; Ezekiel 37v21-25; Joel 2v18-29; Micah 2v12; Romans 11v12-27.
The reconciliation of all things (including treacherous Israel) was accomplished by Jesus on the cross (Colossians 1v20-21), and will be realised in full at His visible coming. All will be done in the "times of the restitution of all things". Today is "the ministry of reconciliation", when God is inviting all to come near to Him, and recognise the provision He has made in Christ. To coin the phrase of the apostle Paul..."We pray you in Christ's stead BE YE RECONCILED TO GOD"-2nd Cor.5v19-20. The story of Joseph is the seed beginnings of the vast work of reconciliation that continues now and on into eternity. When God reconciles people and all things, it is complete, it deals with the misery of the past; it provides for the glory of the future. There are no recriminations, no doubts, no threats, and the benefits are forever. This is the God of the bible, this is our God!
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