Stripped: Trusting God When He Allows Others to Hurt Youনমুনা

"When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.” (Genesis 41:56, 57, NIV)

The wisdom God granted Joseph through years of trials was the setup needed to make provision for a starving world. While to us it may seem we are devoid of words and resources, God uses those who’ve found bread in Christ to feed the world around them in their famine.

When the Lord positions you in the place He designed for you, He will equip you to cater a feast of hope and truth that will be sought out by hungry, broken, hurting, desperate people who need the wisdom God has given you.

It is never only about individual satisfaction and prosperity. God always blesses us so we can be a blessing. He pours out on us, we in turn pour into others.

Sons and daughters of the Almighty that are clothed in fine linen and are satisfied by His presence, humbly understand that God always intends that abundance to be shared. And the famine was precisely what He used to bring the family back together.

THE REUNION

Back in Canaan, Jacob’s family was running out of food. Sent by their father, the 10 brothers followed the same road to Egypt that their brother faced alone 22 years earlier. Did they think about him as they camped along the way? Did they wonder how it must have been for him to travel alone all those years before? They must have thought about him!

When they finally reached Egypt, the last thing on their mind was running into their dead brother Joseph and that the dreams they thought they had “taken care of” were about to become a reality.

As they bowed to him, Joseph simultaneously recognized his brothers and the fulfillment of his dreams in the blink of an eye. How expected (two dreams meant it was definitely happening), yet how inconceivable. What a shock to see their older faces and gray hairs and watch them interact amongst themselves after almost two dozen years, while deliberately withstanding the temptation to react impulsively. Within nanoseconds, hundreds of thoughts and emotions invaded. Was his first instinct to embrace or punch them? Did he want to reveal his identity at that moment or did he consider hiding it altogether? Was Jacob alive? Where was Benjamin? Do any of them recognize me?

After living in Egypt that long, Joseph was fluent in the language, responded to the name Zaphenath-Paneah and, due to his political position, had the appearance of an Egyptian. It was customary for Egyptian men to shave completely, to wear wigs, and to use makeup around the eyes that helped ward off infections and the sun’s glare.

The brothers would not have expected this powerful man to be Joseph, whom they were certain had died. Although Joseph had not forgotten his native language, he spoke to them through an interpreter. The brothers had no clue who they were bowing to, and with all the willpower it took to contain his revelation, Joseph used that in his favor.

THE TESTS

The Bible doesn’t explain why Joseph elaborated the intricate plans he put in place when he reencountered his brothers or why he didn’t reveal himself to his brothers the moment he saw them. So, for whatever reason, Joseph imprisoned the brothers for three days. I think he needed time to plan the best course of action. After three days, he sent them all back, keeping only Simeon imprisoned.

He set his plan in motion: come back with Benjamin, or don’t come back at all!

Remember, Joseph was certain that God’s double-dream revelation meant it would come to pass, and that there were still five more years of famine ahead. So, regardless of how long it took, the family was bound to return to buy more food within that time period. I don’t believe Joseph was trying to be mean or vengeful with his brothers. His interaction with them tested the depth of his forgiveness and highlighted his humble embrace of the redemptive way God turned his suffering into blessings. Tomorrow we’ll uncover more evidence of Joseph’s healing.