- Scripture: Genesis 45:1–15
- The Anchor: “And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.” – Genesis 45:7 (ESV)
Right after Judah stepped up to take the place of Benjamin as Joseph’s slave, Joseph breaks down. Joseph sends out all the people except for him and his brothers, and he reveals himself to his brothers. Apparently, he wept so loud that the Egyptians in Pharaoh’s household heard him. Joseph’s brothers were speechless in shock and they were dismayed. Evidently, they were scared of him, but he encouraged them to draw near because he forgave them and God revealed his grand plan to Joseph. Joseph ended up in Egypt because God sent him there to ultimately preserve the lives of the family and for their remnant and posterity, not because Joseph’s brothers hated him and sold him away. He then tells the brothers to bring their father and the rest of the family down so that he can provide for them in Egypt. He wept with all his brothers and he kissed all of them, even the ones who wronged him in the first place. They talked for a long time I bet.
We’re finally nearing the end of this story I think, although we still have 5 chapters left in Genesis. The brothers must have been in disbelief and genuine shock when they found out that Joseph was the prime minister of Egypt all along. They definitely feared that he would put them to death or something. Yet, Joseph was a changed man as well. He became a godly man when he was off in prison and serving Pharaoh. He embraced them with love and forgiveness, rather than hating them with an old grudge.
I wanted to bring up something new. Last night at CGC prayer meeting, we read Romans 9-11, but one thing that stuck out to me was Romans 11:4-5. To give a rundown of what the passage was about, Paul is talking about how Jews aren’t saved by being Jews, but they are saved by grace. Even though Jews aren’t the “chosen people of God” anymore, Paul says that there is still a “remnant” of Jews who are saved by God’s grace and are part of the elect. The use of the word “remnant” in both of these passages led me to draw a connection. In Genesis, remnant refers to the descendants and the posterity of Jacob’s family, and in Romans, remnant refers to God’s elect who were ethnically Jewish. We can say that God’s elect are adopted by God to be His sons (and daughters). In both senses, the remnant refers to the descendants and children of someone, and both show a certain group that matter to God: Genesis being the line of Jesus, and Romans being His adopted sons and daughters. I guess all of that to say that God loves His chosen people, meaning He loves us and He cares so much for us that He provides for us and He sent His one and only Son to die for us. Although God’s remnant often rebels against Him in sin, they are all saved by God through the work of Jesus.
Reflection
- Joseph immediately frames his presence in Egypt as God’s providential plan for the preservation of a “remnant” rather than focusing on his brothers’ betrayal. When you reflect on past hurts, how can you shift your focus from the “betrayal” of others to the way God may be using those situations to provide for your future or the future of those around you?
- You made a profound connection between the physical remnant of Jacob’s line and the spiritual remnant of God’s elect in Romans. How does it strengthen your confidence in God’s care to realize that His plan for preservation has been consistent from Genesis all the way to the work of Jesus?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the heart of Joseph—a heart that was so filled with Your grace that it had no room left for grudges. Thank You for being the God of the remnant, who preserves Your people even when they are faithless or lost. Thank You for adopting me into Your family through the sacrifice of Your Son, and for being the One who provides for every one of my needs. Help me to rest in Your providence today. Amen.