JOSEPH REVEALS HIS IDENTITY

Welcome to day 15.  Today’s reading is Genesis 45:1 – 46:7

Read the Bible passage here or listen to the audio file below.

Listen to the audio of Petra Bagust’s reflection on Rhema’s site.

From television presenter Petra Bagust…

This is the conclusion of our story.   This is where Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers. And for me, this chapter is about reunion, revelation, redemption and fulfillment.

The revelation is that the hinting and all the clues in the gentle drawing in of his brothers is over. The intrigue is finished, there is forgiveness.

Joseph says, I understand that you acted wrongly but, seriously, God had a bigger plan, a stronger more powerful purpose. I forgive you for what you did.  And it turns out this isn’t all about Joseph becoming a leader or a hero or having an amazing position of social power. That is really a by-product. The real aim here is saving Israel, this fledgling nation from starvation and continuing Gods’ plan and to establish the nation of Israel. Joseph and his brothers were the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel, not Joseph. This is so much bigger.  It is about reunion the roots of the entire nation. Even though the brothers did wrong and even though Joseph did good, they were all still part of the plan, and they were all saved which is indicative of Gods’ attitude towards us today.

They were redeemed and redemption is this incredible powerful concept. It’s just like when we are redeemed in the face of anything we can say or do or think or feel, because we are heirs and coheirs with Christ. We are part of Gods plan.

So when I look at the descendants, Judah’s descendants, his physical descendants, the King of David and Jesus.  Judah you remember, he behaved like Christ, when Joseph said he would keep Benjamin, he said ‘no, take me and send the other brothers home’. And it’s not actually Joseph’s descendants who are necessarily the most significant in the Bible, although they are important; Joshua ,Gideon and Samuel.  Levi ‘s descendants were important; they were Aaron ,Moses,  Eli and John the Baptist. This is what we call a team and here all the parts that have been perhaps separated or scattered or wounded or torn asunder are joined together.

And this is the power of the love of Christ; and his plan, the power of God in our lives, to bring reunion, revelation, redemption and fulfillment.

Petra

Filed under: Week 03 - Petra Bagust