Joseph's Brothers: Terrified
Scripture Reading — Genesis 45:1-3
His brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
—Genesis 45:3
Of all the things Joseph’s brothers have encountered lately—from the terrible famine and being without food, to their father’s dread, to the harshness and strange demands of the ruler in Egypt, to a weird but wonderful banquet, and then to being accused of stealing a silver cup—all these are mild compared to the bomb that now drops on them all. The ruler who has been questioning them and watching their movements so carefully now breaks down in uncontrollable weeping. And bursting out of him comes the shock of their lives: “I AM JOSEPH!”
The brothers are frozen in terror. The one they once hated now stands before them, clothed with power, their judge. The proof of their sin is right in front of them, inescapable, undeniable. There is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. The face of Joseph, which for years has haunted them in their secret guilt, is now eyeball to eyeball with them. Having their sin exposed this way before them is terrifying, horrifying.
But notice! Those eyes are weeping. Though the brothers may now be terrified, the love of God, through their brother Joseph, will offer forgiveness and mercy.
Have you received God’s forgiveness and mercy for the wrongs you have done? Take comfort, though you may be broken; he wants to make you whole.
Loving God, pour your mercy on me. Grant me forgiveness through Jesus, who paid the price for my sin, and make me whole. In his name, Amen.
About the author — Kenneth D. Koeman
Rev. Ken Koeman is a pastor at Bellevue, Washington, Christian Reformed Church. He has written Today devotions in past years and has also authored numerous articles for The Banner, the magazine of the Christian Reformed Church. Ken and his wife, Kay, live in Bellevue and have two children and five grandchildren.
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