Genesis 44 shows how our hearts can change. “Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father.” v. 34. Judah’s heartfelt plea to Joseph. Judah and his brothers were willing to carelessly bring misery to their father Jacob when they sold Joseph into slavery. Maybe that’s why Joseph tested them. Were they the same today as they were those years ago? Change for me rarely happens quickly. I can’t help but wonder what went through their hearts for those years not knowing what happened to their brother, did they have nightmares about Joseph? Did they have nightmares of them being the ones taken to be sold as slaves? When Jacob mentioned Joseph in great sadness of heart, what did that do to them?

As I was quietly sitting in prayer after reading this chapter, I couldn’t help but think about Judah following through on his promise to his father to bring his youngest son Benjamin back to him, even if it meant him bearing the blame all his life and offering himself as a slave in Egypt. “What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants’ guilt.” v. 16. Joseph knew the guilt of his brothers…so did God…so did the brothers. He orchestrated his own silver cup being put into Benjamin’s sack to be found by his steward so his brothers would be returned to him as thieves. Now Joseph is witness to Judah being willing to stand up and take responsibility even though the cup was not found in his sack but in Benjamin’s. Follow through.

I couldn’t help but think about our Lord God. He didn’t have to create everything we see, including you and me…but He did. He didn’t have to keep loving us even though we turn away from Him…but He does. He didn’t have to forgive us…but He does. He didn’t need to make a way for our sins to be far from us…but He did. Follow through. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, “A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me. I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” John 1:29-31. Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that is was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 1 Peter 1:17-21.

Redeemed from the empty way of life…the brothers lied. They sold their own brother into slavery because of jealousy. Their father favored Joseph and jealousy was the result. We’re so afraid that if we love God we will have so much to give up. Lies, jealousy, rage, murder, fornication…just a few of the things the ancestors handed down and were recorded for us – that we ourselves do. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Follow through and how grateful we can be for that love because He doesn’t just forgive us…He saves us. He saves us from our empty way of life we cling to so fiercely. Why? Follow through. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9. I try to imagine what it will be like when I see my Lord face to face when that time comes. I forgive you. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:34-36. Have you noticed? Love. Our God is a God of love and He follows through with love. He longs for us to love Him and each other.