November 25, 2022

Passage Read: Genesis 49 - Exodus 2
Meditation Verse: Genesis 50:19

Thought

As highly exalted as Joseph was, he didn't consider it his place to exact revenge on his brothers. More amazingly, he doesn't seem the least bit bitter about what they did. It brought amazing good to him and fulfilled the dreams God had given him, though there were hard things along the way, he endured and even prospered in a way in the middle of those trials. Yet, this statement does suggest that if there's judgment due them, God will mete it out. He won't step into the place of God and do what he thinks they deserve, he'll leave that to God. Instead, he promises to take care of them as long as he is able.

Application

Actually, as prime minister of Egypt, he had authority to punish them, but only for violations against Egyptian law. As a member of the same family, he didn't have any special authority over them. But nevertheless, he chose mercy and to leave judgment to God. That is an option to all leaders, but those who hold authority over a specific group of people need to be careful how often they exercise grace, because when sin is not punished quickly, sinners are encouraged to sin the more. As a brother, Joseph didn't have special authority in the family to judge his brothers; that authority belonged to their father and to God. But he could choose to not help them, to keep his kindness to himself. These he didn't do. I too can give grace for those who offend me but over whom I have no power. Yet I should also care enough about them to warn them that my kindness doesn't mean God won't judge them.