Reconciliation

“And the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was not enough food in other countries, but all over Egypt there was plenty.” Genesis 41:54

Joseph had interpreted two dreams for Pharaoh. Both told of seven years of bumper crops followed by seven years of famine. God used Joseph to tell Pharaoh to save up the excess during the good years, store them, and use them during the years of famine.

Joseph’s story is an encouragement to anyone who feels they have been mistreated. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph finds work as the aide for a government official. The official’s wife takes a liking to Joseph and tries to seduce him. He runs from the scene, only to have her grasp his cloak as he departs.

She then accuses Joseph of trying to rape her. He is sentenced to prison and meets the king’s personal servant and his chief cook who were also imprisoned. After correctly interpreting one of their dreams, they later tell the Pharaoh who calls Joseph in to interpret his strange dreams. It is then that Joseph tells him that God is bringing seven years of plenty followed by seven years of drought.

Now, having experienced the seven good years, just as God had spoken through Joseph, the stage is set for the biggest homecoming in Scripture. Without rewriting what the Old Testament already expresses so well, it is interesting to note how God’s plan trumps man’s designs.

The famine hit every neighboring country, as well as Egypt. But they had not set aside crops during the good years. Only Egypt went through the famine without harm. God uses this to bring Joseph’s family to Egypt looking for food.

Years before, Joseph was left in a pit for dead. Now he was chief among the Egyptians, second only to Pharaoh himself. But that was not the end of the story. God’s purposes go beyond simply righting personal wrongs. God’s plans are always about reconciliation.

God could not make Joseph forgive his brothers, nor could he force the rest of the family to feel any remorse for their conduct toward Joseph. But, in His sovereignty, He could very well stack the deck in the favor of reconciliation.

We must not carry our grudges around like backpacks full of rocks. God is so interested in people being reunited that He messes with the entire climate for a region of our globe for 14 years. Yes, it was good that Joseph was elevated. It took the sting away from his mistreatment over the years.

But that is not the climax of the story. It is the reunion of brothers and the forgiveness Joseph offers. God will literally move the earth to bring people to reconciliation. It is up to us to take the opportunity when He does.

“God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself”, the New Testament tells us. He moved heaven and hell when His Son made peace upon the cross. Jesus took every accusation against us and nailed them to the cross with Him. There is now no barrier between God and Man; that is, for those who are willing to take God’s offer by faith.

And that should be our example. God moved in Egypt those thousands of years ago to bring a family back together. He cannot overrule anyone’s will, but He can, and does, bring the opportunities our way. We should follow His lead and find the way to be reconciled today.