JUST FOR THE FAMILY
“And Joseph made haste; for his [heart] did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep” (Genesis 43:30). This is a picture of the heart of our Savior.
After Joseph became governor over Egypt, his brothers were in his house, eating and drinking in his presence. But “Joseph sat by himself, and they were at a separate table” (verse 32).These men were rejoicing in Joseph’s presence without being fully restored, without really knowing him, without a revelation of love and grace.
We can be a praising people who eat and drink in the Lord’s presence but have not yet received a revelation of His infinite love; the sense of being unloved still remains. This is the case of Christians who go to God’s house to sing, worship, and praise and then go home to the same old lie: “God doesn’t show me any evidence that He loves me. My prayers go unanswered. He really doesn’t care for me the way He cares for others.”
Joseph’s brothers had to take one final step before they could be given a full revelation of love. Such a revelation is given to those who are brokenhearted and contrite. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalms 51:17). Joseph’s brothers were not yet brokenhearted.
Joseph commanded his servant to put his personal silver cup into the sack of Benjamin, the youngest brother, as they prepared to return to Canaan. The brothers were hardly on the journey when Joseph’s men overtook them and accused them of stealing the cup. The brothers were so certain of their innocence they said, “With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s [slaves]” (Genesis 44:9). There was no more fight in them. No more pride. They were humbled and broken as they returned to Joseph’s palace.
Then came the revelation of the great love of God. “Then Joseph could not refrain himself . . . and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren” (Genesis 45:1).
The world knows nothing of this revelation of love. God dwells with the humble and the brokenhearted. He delights in His family. Rest in His love for you!
After Joseph became governor over Egypt, his brothers were in his house, eating and drinking in his presence. But “Joseph sat by himself, and they were at a separate table” (verse 32).These men were rejoicing in Joseph’s presence without being fully restored, without really knowing him, without a revelation of love and grace.
We can be a praising people who eat and drink in the Lord’s presence but have not yet received a revelation of His infinite love; the sense of being unloved still remains. This is the case of Christians who go to God’s house to sing, worship, and praise and then go home to the same old lie: “God doesn’t show me any evidence that He loves me. My prayers go unanswered. He really doesn’t care for me the way He cares for others.”
Joseph’s brothers had to take one final step before they could be given a full revelation of love. Such a revelation is given to those who are brokenhearted and contrite. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalms 51:17). Joseph’s brothers were not yet brokenhearted.
Joseph commanded his servant to put his personal silver cup into the sack of Benjamin, the youngest brother, as they prepared to return to Canaan. The brothers were hardly on the journey when Joseph’s men overtook them and accused them of stealing the cup. The brothers were so certain of their innocence they said, “With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s [slaves]” (Genesis 44:9). There was no more fight in them. No more pride. They were humbled and broken as they returned to Joseph’s palace.
Then came the revelation of the great love of God. “Then Joseph could not refrain himself . . . and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren” (Genesis 45:1).
The world knows nothing of this revelation of love. God dwells with the humble and the brokenhearted. He delights in His family. Rest in His love for you!