Epistles to the Cyberchurch - Su Min

To: 9 readers
From: Su Min (Lim Su Min)
Subject: Climax

Dearly beloved,

I pray that you may prosper in every way and that your body may keep well, even as I know your soul keeps well and prospers (3 John 2 AMP).

God says

And we have witnessed time and again from ancient days to present days how God has kept this promise.

Today's episode, 22 years in the making, stretching from Gen 37:1 to Gen 50:26, surely reaches a climax, a peak in today's reading.

Genesis 45 opens with Joseph being swamped and overwhelmed by his emotions: Joseph has just been shown the tender side of Judah, a Judah who pleads for mercy on account of his brother Benjamin and his father Jacob, a Judah who offers himself into slavery (Gen 44:18-34). Joseph clears the audience room of Egyptians and weeps with the joy of reconciliation (45:1-2). Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers presumably talking in their own native Hebrew, as opposed to the Egyptian that he had been using in all previous communications, conversing through an interpreter. This time Joseph talks directly, personally, and in a language they can readily understand. Joseph inquires of his father. His brothers are terror stricken, guilt ridden to the bone for selling Joseph off as a slave (Gen 44:3).

But Joseph shows no sign of anger. Instead he gently entreats his brothers to come close, and implores them not to be distressed nor to be angry with themselves (Gen 45:4). Surely this must be a great lesson in forgiveness for each one of us. Would it not be human to harbour a sense of grievance for 22 years and when the opportunity comes to strike back? But Joseph was made of more righteous stuff than that. Joseph walked with the Lord. And God was with Joseph. God gave Joseph success in all that he did..

So Joseph does not hold his brothers accountable for the dastardly deed that they had done: instead he proclaims that it was the plan of God to place Joseph in Egypt to prepare for the famine so that the family will be saved from starvation (Gen 45:5-7). So it was not you who sent me here, but God (Gen 45:8). And Joseph gives God the credit for the high elevation achieved: "He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler of all Egypt."

Yes, Joseph has reached great heights, much by his diligence, intelligence and hard work. But Joseph is humble enough to ascribe all his success to God. Something all of us can learn from this!

Joseph reconciles with his brothers and implores them to bring Jacob to Egypt (Gen:45:9-15). Pharaoh rejoices with this news and sends gifts to Jacob, and an invitation to Egypt (Gen 45: 16-23). Jacob rejoices and agrees to travel to Egypt, so ending Gen 45.

Let us close in prayer.

Love Dad.


For any comments or enquiries please write to Dr. Lim Su Min



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