Off with the Mask

Genesis 45:1-15

Verse 8  So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.  He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.

    Judah’s willingness to stay in Benjamin’s place was Joseph’s undoing.  He ordered all of his attendants out of the room and he started sobbing loudly where it could be heard outside the room.  His brothers must have been so confused as they didn’t yet know it was Joseph.  He would have looked different and not just because he was older but because he likely looked Egyptian in his outfit and being clean shaven.  They may not have picked up on the fact of why the men eating with them had not sat with them or Joseph.  It could be they thought he had his own table because of his position in the kingdom.

    With the room clear and Joseph regaining his composure it was time for the big reveal.  We can guess that he had previously spoken to them through an interpreter to keep his cover so when he comes out speaking in their native tongue they may have been quite shocked.  But the language didn’t shock them as much as what he was saying.  The guilt they had carried for almost 20 years was now making them nervous.

    Some things were beginning to make sense, only a family member would have known their birth order.  This also explained the questioning about their father still being alive and if they had a younger brother when they came to Egypt the first time.  It also brought up a lot of questions.  Was he going to jail them all because of what they had done to him years before?  Would he release Benjamin to go home but hold the rest of them as slaves?  Would the shocking news of Joseph being alive kill their dad?

    They were so shocked he had to repeat who he was multiple times.  He must have sensed the reason for their hesitation.  This is where we get to see just how much Joseph had grown spiritually over the years.  He didn’t hold their choice to sell him against them because he could see how God had used their spiteful choice to save the family from this famine.  He needed them to know it was God’s way of working things out.

    This story reveals God and His work in such powerful ways.  He had known about the famine 20 years before and allowed the sinful hate of brothers to build to the point of selling Joseph into slavery which would bring him to the place he could best serve his family in the future to preserve God’s chosen people.  But most importantly it reveals genuine forgiveness.

Making It Personal

    How easily do you forgive those who have wronged you?  Does it make it easier to forgive when you see how God has used it for good in your life?  Where do you need to show forgiveness today?

Making It Personal Kids

    Have you ever been forgiven for something you did to hurt another person?  Have you ever forgiven someone who has been mean to you?  Who needs your forgiveness today?

Closing Prayer

    Father, we can’t thank You enough for the forgiveness You show us on a regular basis.  Give us forgiving hearts so we can remain in good fellowship with others and can show Your love through forgiveness.  In Jesus’ name, amen.