The Locator, perspective and forgiveness

Today: Genesis 43-45

Have you ever watched a reunion show?

I'm not talking about a YouTube video of a 10-year high school reunion in Milwaukee where everyone does the macarena. I'm talking about a show where people are reunited with someone really special to them...like a sister they were separated from in the foster system, a son they didn't know they had or a father they had never met. A few weeks ago, I was at my parents' house and watched such a show called "The Locator." It's a show where this guy (Troy Dunn) helps people find their long-lost loved ones.

I watched one episode where a woman was looking for her biological father. She always wondered, "Does he look like me? Does he know if I exist? Does he have the same laugh?" The Locator found the woman's biological dad...a man who never believed he was her father. He felt guilty and wondered, "Will she forgive me for not looking for her? Will she forgive me for not being there?"

When I read today's passage, I felt a bit like I was watching that show again. This reunion story between Joseph and his brothers was so emotional and inspiring. It was charged with all of the feelings I listed above--I'm sure some of Joseph's brothers thought he was dead. They thought they'd never see him again. Some of them probably felt scared--I mean the brother they betrayed and sold as a slave was one of the most powerful men in the world! And at least one (Joseph himself) was (surprisingly?) thrilled to see them again.

I just wrote surprisingly with a question mark because I don't know how many people would be thrilled to reunite with those who caused them such sorrow and pain. We already know that Joseph was an incredible guy with an incredible heart. He walked with this mature perspective that allowed him to forgive--truly a gift from God.

Rather than writing any more about it, I thought I'd let you read some of his words to his brothers again:

"I am Joseph your brother whom you sold into Egypt.

But don't feel badly, don't blame yourselves for selling me.

God was behind it.

God sent me here ahead of you to save lives.

There has been a famine in the land now for two years;

the famine will continue for five more years—

neither plowing nor harvesting.

God sent me on ahead to pave the way

and make sure there was a remnant in the land,

to save your lives in an amazing act of deliverance.

So you see, it wasn't you who sent me here but God.

He set me in place as a father to Pharaoh,

put me in charge of his personal affairs,

and made me ruler of all Egypt.
"Hurry back to my father. Tell him,

'Your son Joseph says: I'm master of all of Egypt.

Come as fast as you can and join me here.

I'll give you a place to live in Goshen where you'll be close to me—

you, your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds,

and anything else you can think of.

I'll take care of you there completely.

There are still five more years of famine ahead;

I'll make sure all your needs are taken care of,

you and everyone connected with you—you won't want for a thing.'

Tomorrow: Genesis 46-47