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Today’s reading from Genesis 42–45 reveals a profound moment of healing within the chosen family. These chapters emphasize that God is in charge of His own story, and as people come to terms with that by surrendering to Him, they experience rest and healing.

We pick up seeing that Jacob, still grieving the loss of Joseph, has become consumed by fear. He refused to let go of Benjamin, preventing him from living a normal life. Jacob saw himself—not God—as his son’s protector. His sorrow was paralyzing, to the point where he believed that if anything happened to Benjamin, he would die.

"And Jacob their father said to them, 'You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin. All this has come against me.'" Genesis 42:36

Jacob’s grief and fear prevented him from seeing God’s sovereign hand at work in his circumstances.

Joseph’s brothers, now older and wiser, have lived with the heavy weight of guilt. They have seen how their betrayal broke their father. Now, in Egypt, they faced the reality of their sin and acknowledge the distress they caused Joseph:

“Then they said to one another, ‘In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.’” Genesis 42:21

They were almost ready for repentance, realizing the depth of their wrongdoing.

When we last saw Joseph, he had named his firstborn Manasseh, meaning 

“God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.” Genesis 41:51

But had he really forgotten? In Genesis 42:8–9 we learn that when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them and remembered his dreams. His suppressed emotions surface, revealing that he never truly forgot his father’s house or the pain of his brother’s betrayal.

At this point, God’s plan became clear—Joseph realized it was God, not his brothers, who sent him to Egypt:

“do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.” Genesis 45:5

This shift in perspective changes everything:

  • Joseph’s denial turned into tearful reconciliation with his brothers.
  • The brothers’ guilt began to lift as they recognized what God had done for them.
  • Jacob’s grief is replaced by celebration and revived strength:

“And when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, ‘It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.’” Genesis 45:27–28

Today’s Takeaway is a question for reflection:

What sadness, guilt, bitterness, or denial are we needlessly holding onto?

God is at work in our lives—even in the painful and difficult moments. If we can see His hand at work, all fear, condemnation, and sorrow can be washed away as we learn to trust Him fully.

Let go of the burdens you were never meant to carry and embrace the healing and restoration that comes through trusting in the goodness of God.