Clay Carstensen
1.15.2020
Genesis 45-47
Today’s reading from Genesis comes from chapters 45-47. As I read these chapters, I couldn’t help but think of all that Joseph had been through prior to this. His brothers sold him into slavery and was treated terribly by those closest to him just as Tatiana mentions.
But his trust and reliance on God the Father never failed. He never stops giving glory to and trusting in God!
Key verse:
Chapter 45:1-5
For me the key verse or verses came in the opening verses of Chapter 45. Joseph is overwhelmed with emotion and weeps so loudly that he could be heard by many! He then announces …”I am Joseph!”. His next actions or words could have been harsh, vengeance could have been had, but instead we read “So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said “I am your brother Joseph whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life”.
His compassion, forgiveness, wisdom and hindsight are amazing. He possesses such clarity about the situation and the past situations because of an incredible trust in God the Father.
I can think of a lot of situations where I wanted to or even chose to “get even” or settle things myself. Oh how I have been in error. Scripture says that vengeance belongs to God and Joseph lives that out in 3D here in this scripture. Instead he chooses love and compassion for his brothers and Father. He lets them know that hey, you were never in control, it was God’s plan for all of this to take place.
What I have read makes me want to see tough situations in a different light. To see it as perhaps something that God is using for a much bigger purpose. This would help me to lighten up and enjoy the journey more and not be fixated on the why all the time.
I’m hopeful that this reading will also give me greater vision towards others and their actions that impact me. I must be under God’s influence above and before the influence of others.
I will go with God by actively trying to see where he is in my present and future situations. He’s always there, we just need to search harder at times. And sometimes we simply need to be still to find him and hear him.
I saw the life of Jesus and his sacrifice and heard him saying “forgive them Father for they know not what they do.” He bore all our sins for the greater good of all. And for this, I am eternally grateful and want to be a servant to the most high!
2020 Bible Vision 
So of course I love the emotional response of Joseph! And how he sees God’s hand in something that must have been really, really difficult. In more ways than one… betrayal, false accusations and prison. Wow! Thanks for sharing.
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What an amazing example of forgiveness and perseverance! Joseph is one of many characters in the Bible that always convicts me to the core. I’m big on making things right when there is an Injustice. This just helps me see that God is always working for the good even in the worst of circumstances. Thank you so much for sharing this.I hope everyone is encouraged and really takes to heart this message! To God be the glory!
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I too am amazed at the level of forgiveness that Joseph had for his brothers. However, if I can learn that everything l go through can glorify God if I see it that way, I could be able to forgive like Joseph did too. As I have been forgiven much, I can forgive much.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I realized when I was reading today’s passage that Joseph was able to see God working in the things that he had been through, and was able to forgive his brothers, because he was looking through eyes of faith. He really believed that God was for Him, no matter what circumstances might say to the contrary. I can struggle with having this type of faith in God’s attitude towards me, but the story of Joesph encourages me to grow!
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This story reminds us of God’s wisdom. He always knows what we need and is working behind the scenes to bless us if we just trust him. The very end of this reading also sets up one of the greatest demonstrations of God’s faithfulness, as you will see in future readings [Spoiler Alert] that God honors Jacob’s desire to be buried in Canaan, even over 400 years later.
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Im there also with wanting justice and having that urge to rectify it. I hadn’t traveled down that mental path with Joseph so thank you for correlating those for me. Thanks Clay
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Oops, I just realized that I mixed up Jacob and Joseph in my comment (doh!). I guess there was no need for the spoiler alert 🙂
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Thank you Clay! What I got from this is that I need to stop dwelling in the past on why things happened and know that I’m still living out God’s plan and give Him all the glory for what he’s done with my life.
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