Mending Ties

Based on Genesis 43-45

"For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever. Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my Lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren." Genesis 44:32‭-‬33

When Judah realized that Benjamin would have to stay behind and be a servant in Egypt, he saw the story of Joseph unfold all over again...he knew he couldn't break His father's heart a second time, so he offered himself as a substitute. This was all a set-up by Joseph to see if his brothers had changed, and Joseph could see the difference. Before Joseph could reveal who he was, the process of mending ties had to begin with his brothers. In many instances, Joseph left weeping & emotional, I'm sure all the while wanting to shout with excitement that he was their brother, but he knew he had to wait until the right time. It's really hard to build up a broken relationship. It's hard to put in the time & effort needed to really mend the ties, turn the tide & make things work again...but since Joseph had a good connection with God, working on it all the time in the absence of his brothers, there was hope for their whole family to live harmoniously once again!

"And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt." Genesis 45:4

FINALLY! The big reveal...and Joseph knew it would go over well because he could see that God worked on his brothers' hearts in the meantime. All the time & effort had paid off, and now they could all live in peace once again! If there are people in our lives who we are currently experiencing some conflict with, we need to pray. First, we need to strengthen our relationship with God, and next, we need to pray for ourselves and the others to respond to the leading of God. All will be well in God's timing. In Joseph's case, it took years! But look at the results of trusting God! It's all worth it.

"Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life." Genesis 45:5

"And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance."

Genesis 45:7

We need to also understand that God can use any situation for good. So while it may look bad when we are distanced from certain people for a time, there might just be good reason for it. Just like a plant hanging on by its last leaf, the isolation gives us time to grow in The Lord & see how He wants to develop us all in the process.