18 January | EVERYONE
"And Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Please come near to me.’ So they came near. Then he said: ‘I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.’” Genesis 45: 4,5
Noon sees no one. Only the unbearable heat reverberates on the dry ground. It has been a long time since a drop of water has fallen and the earth refuses to produce. Famine hangs like a cloud of death over the children of Israel. There is a lot of sunshine. In every corner, in every stone, in every bush that stubbornly resists drought.
The sons of Jacob have no choice but to knock at Egypt’s door. In the neighboring country, too, moisture has hidden itself in some dark cavern where no one can find it. But God uses a faithful man, Joseph, to bless that pagan nation, while his people suffer the consequences of including in their midst people who are formally religious but are nothing more than a group of traitors who sold out their younger brother.
The years had slipped into history like a silent snake. Now, unbeknownst to them, the traitors were in the presence of their victim. Coincidence? No. In God’s plans, nothing is by chance. Everything is under His control. Either inspiring or allowing, but nothing escapes His guidance.
The moment of the reveal had arrived. Joseph asks them to come to him, and he shoots them at point-blank range: "I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold to the Egyptians." They get scared. They would rather be thrown in jail. After all, they have long lived in the prison of their own history. It would be better to confront Pharaoh's cruelty. Who knows, he might take pity on them. But they were in front of the helpless victim whom they had mistreated and sold.
Cold sweat. Sweat of fear and dread. How sad! A reunion of brothers and sisters was always supposed to be a day of joy and jubilation. But they were not prepared. Will you be prepared when Jesus, our brother, whom we betrayed and crucified, returns in glory?
Take Action
Do not be a prisoner of your past! Find the person or people you cheated on, betrayed, or hurt today. Make yourself known, confess your mistake and ask for forgiveness.