Genesis 42-43
Gen. 42:21
...We are surely bering punished on account of our brother, because we saw his distress when he begged us to show compassion...If you have a right to be angry, or think you have a right to be angy, it is beneficial to show mercy. Refusal to extend mercy, will cause mercy to not be extended to you. And who can you blame? Yourself.
Gen. 42:25
......and to return each man's money to his own sack...
Gifts are better when they are given in secret. It is wise to not broadcast that you hve done so. Your Father, who is looking on, will repay.
Gen. 43:10
Journeys back in that time took months, so a bit of time elapsed. Also, procrastination is not new. Jacob considered Simeon as good as lost, but with Judah's reassurance, he allowed Benjamin his youngest to go, to the bless ing of his family.
These two chapters are good in that it shows Joseph's btoehrs had shown a repentant attitude and were truly sorry for what they had done. Joseph tested them in this way to see how they felt. He did not harbor any grudges againt them, but he declared that Jehovah had allowed all this to happen for the preservation of Israel and the line leading to Jesus Christ. Joseph displayed abundant mercy, even though he was wronged. It's a wonderful lesson for us today as we deal with our imperfect family members and our fellow worshippers of Jehovah.
Another thing to learn from this week's reading is that punishment comes eventually. It can take years before something we've done wrong in the past to catch up to us, and when it does, it can be humiliating. But, it will come, do not doubt it. That's why we're encouraged to "lay it out on the table" as it were, to get the forgiveness and correction we need now, before it is to late.
Gen. 43:10
...if we had not delayed, we could have been there and back twice by now...
Journeys back in that time took months, so a bit of time elapsed. Also, procrastination is not new. Jacob considered Simeon as good as lost, but with Judah's reassurance, he allowed Benjamin his youngest to go, to the bless ing of his family.
These two chapters are good in that it shows Joseph's btoehrs had shown a repentant attitude and were truly sorry for what they had done. Joseph tested them in this way to see how they felt. He did not harbor any grudges againt them, but he declared that Jehovah had allowed all this to happen for the preservation of Israel and the line leading to Jesus Christ. Joseph displayed abundant mercy, even though he was wronged. It's a wonderful lesson for us today as we deal with our imperfect family members and our fellow worshippers of Jehovah.
Another thing to learn from this week's reading is that punishment comes eventually. It can take years before something we've done wrong in the past to catch up to us, and when it does, it can be humiliating. But, it will come, do not doubt it. That's why we're encouraged to "lay it out on the table" as it were, to get the forgiveness and correction we need now, before it is to late.
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