Genesis
44:18
"Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord,
let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's
ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy
servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh"
Beginning
with the first confrontation between Judah and Joseph, the reading deals with
several more encounters. Many loose ends are tied up as different people are
brought together. Shortly after Judah defiantly stated his case before the man
he believed to be Egyptian royalty, Joseph revealed his true identity to his
brothers. The 22 year saga came to an end as the brothers were reunited and
made amends.
That reunion was followed by the equally dramatic meeting of Jacob and Joseph when Jacob himself traveled to Egypt. Then later, Pharaoh encountered Jacob and his sons. It was a meeting between two powerful leaders and laid the foundation for the lengthy stay that the children of Israel would have in Pharaoh’s land.
In the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon teaches us that there is a time for everything. Among the "times" that he lists, Solomon wrote that there is, "A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak" (Ecclesiastes 3:7). While other Scriptures teach us about the importance of breaking away from others or holding back from speaking, Solomon teaches that there is also a time to speak up and a time to come together.
It was time for Judah to speak up on behalf of his brother, no matter what the consequences. It was time for Joseph to reveal his true identity. It was time to heal old rifts and mend broken hearts. "It was time."
Confrontations are not always pleasant, so we tend to avoid them. But there is a time for everything, and sometimes, we need to do what we must. If there is a confrontation that you have been avoiding, you may want to take this week to think things over. Although difficult at first, speaking up and coming together when the time is right, can lead to healing and peace.
That reunion was followed by the equally dramatic meeting of Jacob and Joseph when Jacob himself traveled to Egypt. Then later, Pharaoh encountered Jacob and his sons. It was a meeting between two powerful leaders and laid the foundation for the lengthy stay that the children of Israel would have in Pharaoh’s land.
In the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon teaches us that there is a time for everything. Among the "times" that he lists, Solomon wrote that there is, "A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak" (Ecclesiastes 3:7). While other Scriptures teach us about the importance of breaking away from others or holding back from speaking, Solomon teaches that there is also a time to speak up and a time to come together.
It was time for Judah to speak up on behalf of his brother, no matter what the consequences. It was time for Joseph to reveal his true identity. It was time to heal old rifts and mend broken hearts. "It was time."
Confrontations are not always pleasant, so we tend to avoid them. But there is a time for everything, and sometimes, we need to do what we must. If there is a confrontation that you have been avoiding, you may want to take this week to think things over. Although difficult at first, speaking up and coming together when the time is right, can lead to healing and peace.
Amen!
Reading: (Gen. chap 44-46:31)
Ref: HG SB
May God Bless You
And Your Family
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
No comments:
Post a Comment