WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Think of somebody with whom you have a difficult relationship. What difficult qualities do you find in them that you also find within yourself? Bring these thoughts with you as you read. Fear of revenge With Jacob gone, who is to protect the brothers from Joseph’s righteous anger (v 15)? They are consumed by a guilty fear that has little to do with the grace and love that Joseph has shown them since they were reunited, now 17 years ago. Is it because they know how they would act in Joseph’s place? After all, in a similar situation Jacob had to flee from Esau after Isaac’s death (27:41). Now that his father isn’t watching, Joseph could have taken revenge, but instead he acts with integrity, and his words are wonderful to hear: ‘Am I in the place of God?’ (v 19). These are words that seem so fitting these days. The wider truth Like the brothers, I often see only the smallest piece of a story and make judgements about people, sometimes holding on to assumptions for a long time, vowing to ‘show them’ or even ‘get my own back’. But Paul echoes Joseph’s stance in his letter to the Romans: ‘Do not take revenge … but leave room for God’s wrath’ (Romans 12:19). The brothers are only seeing their part of the story. Joseph, however, is gracious enough to remind them of the wider truth: that although they intended to wrong him, God used his situation to save the future of two nations! Respond: What assumptions or grudges do you need to lay down today? Ask God for help with any unforgiven area of your past. http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-11-10