Genesis 50:12-21

¹² So Jacob’s sons did as he had commanded them: ¹³ They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, which Abraham had bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. ¹⁴ After burying his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all the others who had gone with him to bury his father.

¹⁵ When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” ¹⁶ So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: ¹⁷ ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

¹⁸ His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. ¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ²⁰ You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. ²¹ So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

Sword Fight

Somewhere around the globe, people are trying to survive from natural or man-made disaster. Interestingly, it was reported that man requested a judge to grant him a trial by engaging in a sword fight with his ex-wife and her attorney. He claimed that his ex-wife and her attorney have destroyed him legally. The couple has disputes over custody and visitation rights to their children, as well as property tax payments. The judge won’t issue a decision any time soon, citing irregularities with both sides’ motions and responses.

Wanting to get justice has become an ordinary headline to be expected.

But when believers have disputes and go to court, do they ignore biblical principles. Have you heard of seminaries taken to court by professors or student? How about churches sued by members and pastors? 1 Corinthians 6:7 teaches, ⁷The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?

In the first century Christianity, the city of Corinth had been considered as the most progressive city, and members of the Corinthian church were most liberal among Christian communities. Lawsuit among Christians, then and now, proves material priorities had overshadowed spiritual priorities among believers.

The chase of justice, fear of unfairness, escape of discrimination, restraint of maltreatment including selfish motives or frustration of situation are some realities that may bring to light the real inclination of human heart. It’s easy to be deceived and believed that their motive is noble but it says in Jeremiah 17:9, The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Most likely, our spiritual growth will slow down when human sinful nature controls our heart and mind. It is expression of faith in Him when we give thanks to the Lord in all circumstances, favorable or not. We trust that He knows helpful situations for us to grow deeper in our relationship with Him. Unpleasant or undesirable situations should be opportunities to experience God’s grace more.

It says in Hebrews 4:16, Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

This world teaches to have confidence in our human effort. And rightly so, most people who seem to be materially successful are most confident in their efforts. They’re very outgoing or extrovert. Can believers think otherwise? But instead of relying on self-confidence, we place our confidence in Christ our Lord.

We depend upon Him in everything, and He will transform our attitude for our betterment. It’s really very tempting to have confidence on our effort, why? We also wish to be materially successful, like others, we envy. When everything said, done and tested by the Lord, will there be left for us to cherish in eternity?

It says in 1 Corinthians 3:13-15, ¹³Work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Anything we do anywhere, ordinary or special chores, can be opportunities to glorify the Lord. You may spend precious time accumulating worldly treasure but spare enough time to store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.

The Lord’s commands are designed to store up treasures for ourselves in heaven. So, ask for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to obey His commands.

1. Command

¹² So Jacob’s sons did as he had commanded them: ¹³ They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, which Abraham had bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. ¹⁴ After burying his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all the others who had gone with him to bury his father.

The field of Machpelah where they buried Jacob was located several miles south of Bethlehem. Jacob commanded that he wanted to be buried there. Jacob may have wanted to be identified with Abraham. Indeed, he is often remembered when the Israelites told the story of their ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Anyway, Jacob’s sons returned to Egypt after burial, and didn’t extend their visit in Canaan. Their children and livestock were left in Egypt. They’ve got great life there. They stayed in finest land of Egypt—it’s best land especially, for their livestock. They were secured in Egypt. Certainly, Joseph provided them security.

Pharaoh sent his army, and made sure Joseph and his brothers returned to Egypt safely. By faith, we are secured in Christ. We are brothers and sisters of Christ, right? Did you know that our Lord sent angels to minister to all believers?

It rhetorically implied in Hebrews 1:14, Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Near Miss Accident

These days, it is easy to find videos about near missed accident posted in the internet. Have you ever experienced near missed accident while driving on icy road? Recently, while driving at Inkster Boulevard, I was on the outer side of the road, and I needed to turn left at Hutching Street. Traffic was busy at 60kph.

Approximately, 50 meters before turning left at Hutching Street, I changed lane without slowing down the traffic. No accident. Everyone was safe. I didn’t know if my family was confused. Perhaps, they were very prayerful. And as I recall that event, I can’t help but to thank the Lord. I believe He took control of the situation so that the driver of car I passed by did not panic just as the Lord made sure also that the road condition was good enough for brake traction control.

It says in Psalm 91:9-11, ⁹ If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, ¹⁰ no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. ¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

There are split of moments of decisions when we do not have the luxury of time to meditate and consider different options, like driving at high speed. We may encounter unstable situations that may scare us while driving or just doing ordinary chores. May the Lord be our refuge. Seek protection from the Lord.

God may still allow undesirable situations. Pray for wisdom to understand why He allows unpleasant events to happen, so that in Christ you thank Him.

Consider the fear of the brothers Joseph after Jacob was buried.

2. Consider

      ¹⁵ When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” ¹⁶ So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: ¹⁷ ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

The brothers of Joseph were scared of him. It uncovered their unforgiving spirit. Joseph was their father’s favorite son. Jacob made beautiful robe for him. His brothers were envious, and they felt neglected by Jacob. Subsequently, their envy for fair share of attention from their father made them cruel to Joseph.

They were unified by their hatred against Joseph. They conspired to harm him, and sold him as slave eventually. But, circumstances turned upside down. Joseph was powerful ruler in Egypt where they relocated. So they thought Joseph may retaliate for his hardship. So, they considered to seek forgiveness from Joseph. Joseph wept, why? They did not sense his loving care for them.

Joseph was sacrificed for the betterment of the Israelites. It was picture of Christ who was sacrificed for our betterment. When the brothers of Joseph ask for forgiveness from Joseph, they confirmed that Joseph did have any grudge against them. Similarly, when we confess our sins, we confirm our faith that God will forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness. God forgives the repentant.

It says in 1 John 1:8-10, ⁸ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Is it easy for you to readily accept when you are at fault? Do you blame others? Have you encountered people who blame hypocrites for wanting to attend church services? Agree or not, there will always be hypocrites in the church. Well, did the Lord Jesus command us to get rid of hypocrites in the church?

Wheat and Tare

The Lord Jesus compared the kingdom of God to good seed. He said in

Matthew 13:24-30, ²⁴The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. ²⁷ “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ ²⁸ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ ²⁹ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

We expect for Christ’s return, and we believe that He will test the quality of whatever we have done. If done by faith in Him, we will be rewarded. God takes note of those who practice faith in Him and those who pretend to have faith.

The brothers of Joseph pretended to have faith in him when they relocated to Egypt. But when their father Jacob was buried, they sought forgiveness, why? They did not completely believe that Joseph had forgiven them. They conceded they deserved to be Joseph’s slave, but Joseph was very kind to them.

3. Concede

¹⁸ His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. ¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ²⁰ You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. ²¹ So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

Joseph’s brothers sold him as slave when they’re stronger than him. So, they conceded that they deserved similar ordeal for their attitude toward Joseph. Joseph exemplified a lifestyle of believers in the Lord. He explained that his adversities were parts of the Lord’ plan to accomplish His purposes of saving lives and not just exclusive for the Israelites but for the Egyptians as well.

It says in Romans 8:28-30, ²⁸And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

The Lord’s plan for believers is to have a lifestyle in conformity to the life that Christ exemplified on earth. The Lord did not promise us to have life free of adversities but in all circumstances, by faith, we give thank to God in Christ. Faith is practically exemplified in our grateful attitude whatever circumstance we face.

What unfavorable situation have you encountered recently?

You may have relatives affected by the eruption of Taal volcano. You may have a friend who had been diagnosed with terminal illness and you feel bad that you cannot do enough to help them. There are unending adversities on earth. Our attitude will determine if we accept that adversities are part of God’s plan.

Basketball Player

There’s a basketball player who was drafted by a particular NBA Team. The team was struggling to win game. So, they expected the player they chose to help them. The player desired to prove that he is worth the money he’s paid.

The said player had injury after injury that required medical attention and rehabilitation for several months. After his doctors gave their go signal to play the game, he tried his best to help his team but his playing style was affected. Quickness and shooting did not result to expectation of greatness.

After another year of not being able to help the team, he was traded to another team and given great treatment. He did not play the game for more than year during rehabilitation. His new team did not rush to expect him to produce good results immediately. They were patient waiting for his game to progress.

Recently, the said player led his team to win over one of the best team in the league. Observers were quick to comment that his new team did the right decision to trade for the said player. The player reflected on his ordeals, and he was thankful that another team put their faith in him.

The Lord expected us to conform to the image of Christ but it can’t be done over night. We’ve got to grow in our faith in Christ. We’ve got to learn to submit to Him as our Lord. Christ as Lord should be in control of every aspect of our life, and we won’t be scared or feel bad of adversities that we encounter in life.

When we do things on our own human effort, we become lord of ourselves. And, Christ is relegated aside as passenger not the driver of our life. Most often, we indirectly treat Christ as consultant, and consult Him when we have difficulty.

It says in Proverbs 3:5-6, ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

To submit to Christ as Lord is to constantly seeking his help. Do you even seek His help to remind you to seek His help? We are forgetful, especially when we are confused or even excited. Do you believe that Christ would like to remind us to seek His help? Christ loves us so much that He cares for our needs.

And in Hebrews 4:16, Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

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