Joseph - Restoration Leads to Reward

 

When the report was heard in Pharaoh’s house, “Joseph’s brothers have come,” it pleased Pharaoh and his servants. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: load your beasts and go back to the land of Canaan, and take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat the fat of the land.’ And you, Joseph, are commanded to say, ‘Do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. Have no concern for your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’” (Genesis 45:16–20 ESV).

 

When redemption finally comes, it can surprise us with sudden blessings and delights. It’s as if there’s a cloudburst of goodness. The stream of healing renews everything along its course! We watch Joseph throw his arms around Benjamin. Then, with kisses of friendship and more weeping, he shows forgiveness to all his older brothers. And they talk with him, catching up on years of news about their families, and, of course, their father too. How sweet it is!

 

In addition, Pharaoh, whose country has been spared and even strengthened by God through Joseph, is pleased when he hears that Joseph’s brothers have come. His grateful heart pours out a cavalcade of bounty: the best of everything in Egypt suddenly becomes theirs!

 

Pharaoh also invites Joseph’s brothers to bring their father and all their families to Egypt. So, they head back to Canaan in wagons heaped with more surprises: clothing, grain, bread, provisions, and silver.

 

Can you believe that God’s blessings in abundance exist on the other side of repentance? What joy forgiveness and reconciliation can bring! It may be hard to imagine, but it’s true!