Getting It Back Together

Getting It Back Together

Genesis 43: ²⁹ Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” ³⁰ Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there. ³¹ Then he washed his face and came out; and he restrained himself, and said, “Serve the bread.”

 

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Joseph was seventeen years old when GOD gave him the dreams. He was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, put in charge of a house, falsely accused of rape, put in prison, taken out of prison to interpret Pharaohs’ dreams and placed over all of Egypt. Seven years of plenty happened and now the world was in the middle of seven years of famine. Joseph was now right around forty years old. He had not seen his brother in decades.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph was filled with extreme emotions by seeing Benjamin.
• Joseph may have given up on ever seeing Benjamin or his father again.
• Joseph could not contain his emotions and had to leave the dinner to cry, then get himself together to be the strong leader the Egyptians expected.

 

Being sold into slavery did not make Joseph cry. Nor did being thrown into prison, or being left in prison. He cried when he saw his brother alive and was overcome with joy. He could not show the Egyptians his deep love he had for his brother.

 

Joseph went into his chamber and had a good cry. He then washed his face and got himself together enough to command “Serve the bread.” Everyone had to wait for him to return before a bite was eaten.  GOD brought joy back into Joseph’s life.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Joseph’s reaction to seeing Benjamin?
• Have you ever been so filled with joy that you just cried?
• Can you believe that GOD enjoys giving you joy and has plenty for you today?