Joy of Restoration
Read This Week: Genesis 43
They replied, “Your servant our father is still alive and well.” And they bowed down, prostrating themselves before him. As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there. – Genesis 43:28-30 NIV
Like the two chapters before it, Genesis 43 unfolds against the backdrop of a severe famine that has negatively impacted the land of Canaan in multiple ways. To recap, Jacob, the patriarch, reluctantly sends his sons to Egypt to secure some grain, where they encounter their long-lost brother Joseph, whom they had sold into slavery years earlier. Unknown to them because they fail to recognize his face, Joseph has risen to become a powerful official in the court of Pharaoh.
As the brothers stand before Joseph, anxiety gnaws at their hearts. They fear reprisal for their past deeds. However, Joseph’s response defies their expectations. He invites them into his house, treating them with hospitality and kindness. Despite their betrayal, Joseph’s heart brims with compassion. The focal point of the chapter is the feast shared between Joseph and his brothers. This meal symbolizes more than mere sustenance; it embodies reconciliation. Joseph arranges the seating according to birth order, a subtle gesture acknowledging their familial ties. Astonished by this insight, the brothers are puzzled and apprehensive.
The tension reaches its peak when Joseph’s steward discovers his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. This cup, a symbol of Joseph’s authority, threatens to reignite the brothers’ guilt and shame. However, in a moment that captures the central theme of this narrative, Joseph steps forward with a heartfelt plea. He confesses their past wrongs, expressing a willingness to bear the consequences on Benjamin’s behalf. Joseph’s response is nothing short of transformative. Overwhelmed by emotion, he reveals his true identity to his brothers. Instead of vengeance, he extends forgiveness and reconciliation. In this moment of vulnerability, the barriers of distrust and animosity crumble, replaced by tears of joy and embraces of reconciliation. This moment marks the reunion of a fractured family and underscores the overarching theme of divine providence working through human frailty and redemption.
The narrative of Joseph and his brothers resonates across the ages, offering timeless lessons on forgiveness and reconciliation. It reminds us that no sin is too great for God’s grace to overcome. Like Joseph, we are called to extend forgiveness even to those who have wronged us, embracing reconciliation as a pathway to healing and restoration.
This story encapsulates the essence of the human experience—of brokenness and redemption, of estrangement and reconciliation. It challenges us to confront our own capacity for forgiveness and to extend grace to those who have wronged us. In the banquet of reconciliation, we find the nourishment of the soul, transforming bitterness into sweetness and estrangement into unity. This transformative power of forgiveness is not just a narrative element but a call to action for us all. May we, like Joseph and his brothers, embrace the transformative power of forgiveness, and may our hearts overflow with the joy of restoration.
Genesis Chapter 43 verse 33
And [Joseph’s brothers] were given seats before him– the eldest according to his birth and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked at one another amazed [that so much was known about them].
Genesis Chapter 43 verse 34
Joseph] took and sent helpings to them from before him, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drink freely and were married with him.
~Compassion And Kindness Speaks Volumes~
God Is Saying To Me:
My works and ways are marvelous in their own way. I am always testing your heart to see if kindness and compassion are at the forefront in everything you do. Joseph placed his brother’s in chronological order based upon age. Joseph’s brother’s marveled with excitement at the accuracy of the situation. Joseph showed them love, honor and compassion even though the brothers had treated him poorly, sold him into slavery and denounced him good as dead. I faithfully have been softening Joseph’s heart for this day. It’s only fair that Joseph with my guidance tries to check the hearts of his brothers? Will they resent him in the end because of his stature and success? Will they be ungrateful that Benjamin received an abundance of food and they didn’t?
I am always working in the best interest of my children, so please trust me and always remain obedient!
What This Means To Me:
1. God’s work in us is a miraculous and supernatural work in itself. It’s astounding in the eyes of non-believers and those that may be skeptical at the awe and omnipotence of God’s favor.
2. Joseph was testing to see if his brothers became upset that the youngest received extra portions of food. Will the brothers show accusal behavior that Benjamin was favored? Favoritism is the catalyst that got Joseph sold into slavery and thrown into the pit. Have their hearts changed?
3. Always remember if we fail test or fail to please God in situations in our lives, rest assured that we will be tested again to see if we have had a change of heart.
4. Lastly, have we grown in the Lord, learned our lessons and ready to step out boldly in the name of Jesus, with kindness, much love and compassion for the growth of the kingdom? ❤️
Do you ever feel like you’re merely reacting to whatever life throws at you? Dodging arrows, ducking, and weaving as if facing a relentless barrage? It often feels like the challenges keep coming and everything is spiraling out of control.
I’m here to tell you that this reactive life isn’t the one you were meant to live. As Christians, as sons and daughters of God, we are called to a higher way of living. We are meant to live in the spirit of the Lord, interconnected with the Father by the Holy Spirit, through the Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Living in harmony with God simplifies life immensely. Your life isn’t meant to be a constant struggle.
I’ve realized that whenever life becomes overly complicated and difficult, it’s usually because I’m relying on my own understanding, operating by my own strength, rather than partnering with God.
I am learning to embrace a better way to live in the spirit of the Lord—an interconnected life with God. As I am learning to be led by the Spirit, I act and speak as my Father God instructs.
I’ve discovered that God’s wisdom and ability to orchestrate events far surpass my own. Thus, being guided by the Lord has proven far more fruitful than being manipulated by the world’s pressures.
1. You can be controlled by the world’s chaos, reacting to the barrage of lies and deceptions, overwhelmed by fear, and prone to poor decisions.
2. Alternatively, can learn to be led by God, anchored in truth, and guided by divine directives. Filled with love, peace, and wisdom, you can be bold and courageous, consistently making wise decisions and succeeding in partnership with God.
3. Remember, it’s a journey of learning, growth, and maturity that develops over time. It requires practice, consistency, discipline, and developed skill in the ways of God’s kingdom, and learning to truly listen and follow the Lord.
PODCAST
This Week in the Life: Genesis 43
For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and the second song.
1. Sunday Worship – First Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240505-Worship1.wav
2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240505-Message.wav
3. Sunday Worship – Second Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240505-Worship2.wav
Join the Party Line Live – Schedule: https://reachchurch.org/connect
Genesis43: 23 But the steward [encouraged them and] said, “Peace be to you, do not be afraid; your God and the God of your father has [miraculously] given you treasure in your sacks. I [already] had your money [which you paid to us].” Then he brought Simeon out to them.
God was sharing with me and you,
It’s always going to be about your heart ❤️
Family is important to My heart, if you believe I sent Jesus for you to be saved and you said yes then you’re apart of My family!
You see the Stewart encouraging Joseph’s brothers that’s a gift from Me.
I have people in life to encourage you too,
and I have people in your life to encourage you too.
I have given them all My gift of time, Time to know who they are, My children and time to have a change in their hearts.
This is the beginning of forgiveness and restoration.
I have plans for you daily, to be reaching out to love and help others to grow in My ways!
I put all the brothers back together so they could all grow in loving each other and helping others to know My love and provision for them.
I have many gifts and treasures for you,
Do you recognize them, see them, do you know how much I love you?
Love you, Dad
What this means to me
Is God blesses us with all kinds of people in our life to encourage us and bless us with His Love ty Father
He blesses us with time to have a change of heart so we can do His work, making the family bigger and helping each other!
He gives us lots of gifts like the gift of forgiveness and favor and restoration and many many more!
We are learning every day all about God’s Love and learning to walk in the Spirit with Him.
Thank you Father that we get to be apart of what Your doing everyday I live you and I love you Jesus My king, My friend, My counselor, My Brother My Shepherd and I love you God’s Holy Spirit that helps my heart to stay soft and loving and you guide me for Father God and Jesus ❤️ your girl
This week in Genesis chapter 43 I got a song
God’s Grace
Let’s come together to worship our Lord . Let’s come together to worship our Lord being blessed blessed because he loves us. He is our light in the darkness our healer when we are broken, he gives us his grace and mercy, his grace and mercy. What an awesome father we have when things seem dark or our hearts are broken. He is there helping us through. He is there helping us through so let’s be good servants , servants of the Lord coming together to worship our Lord, worship our Lord
Amen
we can all have different feelings or different thoughts but always know that our Lord gives us grace and mercy and he’s always on our side helping us through all things we are children of the Lord Amen
This is what I got from Genesis 43. Without faith, I could not use Jacob. I could not transform him back into ‘the man of Israel” until he trusted Me in faith. In this chapter, Joseph is a picture of Jesus. When he invited his brothers to his house to eat it was a reminder that Jesus wants a close relationship with you. The love and goodness from Joseph would win his brothers over, and bring them to full repentance. I shower love and blessings upon My people, even when they don’t know from whom the blessings come. If you recognize you need Jesus, it will prompt you to give to Him and worship Him. I patiently and lovingly laid the final foundation for the eventual spiritual restoration of Jacob and his family. In spiritual restoration, you must depend on Me and submit your will for others. You must have faith and godly fear. You need Christ’s cleansing of sin, you must seek Christ’s fellowship, and separation from sin. You must have faith in Me, even if you can’t see the positive outcome in a situation. The fear of Me is you hating evil. “Trust Me and lean not on your own understanding.” I see you for your faith and not your sins. Sacrifice your needs for the needs of others.
What this said to me is God is always blessing us, even if we don’t recognize it comes from Him. Spiritual restoration takes time and it takes work. I need to ask God to soften my heart, and as I draw closer to Him, he will show me where I am sinning in my life. I must separate myself from sin in my life with God’s help. I must always strive to keep seeking God in all situations and His will for me.
Genesis 43
God wanted me to focus on verse 6-7
6 Israel asked, “Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?”
7 They replied, “The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family. ‘Is your father still living?’ he asked us. ‘Do you have another brother?’ We simply answered his questions. How were we to know he would say, ‘Bring your brother down here’?”
What God impressed upon me is:
“Operating in fear makes you lose your wisdom. Breathe and speak with Me to decipher situations that you may be confused about. Ask why, and what you need to do often, so that you may conquer the uncertainty of life.”
When we operate with power rather than fear, we are empowered from God to release uncertainty from our minds so that we can embrace His joy and clarity.