How Joseph Reconciled With His Brethren – Part 1

No One Would Question The Fact that Joseph’s reconciliation with his brethren was a manifestation of the spirit of Christ. Even after being hated by his brethren, his mental disposition was full of grace and truth (John 1:12). He could so easily have justified a vengeful action. Most men with his power in that situation would have had their betrayers

destroyed in the moment of their captive helplessness. But the root of bitterness was never given any life in Joseph’s heart, neither was there any selfish interest to be found in him. He trusted God, holding to the larger picture of his circumstance. He knew that God had sent him before his brothers to preserve life (Gen. 45:5 NKJV).

Our interest in the story in particular centers on how the spirit of Joseph’s reconciliation would apply to us. In The Ways of Providence, Bro. Robert Roberts says of the story:

“In studying the events of Joseph’s life, therefore, we are studying a case in which God was at work beyond all question; and from which we shall be able to learn instruction with regard to the experiences of our own lives, if our lives, like his, are framed in the fear of God and committed to His keeping in prayer and well-doing; for his case, like all the others, was ‘written for our learning.'”

How was it then that Joseph found a way of covering the sin of his brethren, and of providing a refuge that would nourish his family and perpetuate the progeny of Israel? What did Joseph do to reconcile? What steps did he take?

How did he implement the order of specific events that were under his control? If he was guided by faith, what determined how he would act on principle? To answer these questions a simple look at the account shows the deliberate process he used. It is significant to note the order of events and their dependent relationship to each other.

1) Joseph proved his brethren first (Gen. 42:15,16).

Not knowing what had become of his father and younger brother, Joseph began by determining whether or not his brothers were being truthful. For all Joseph knew, if they were capable of disposing of him, they were capable of murdering his brother. Perhaps he was afraid that the evil had not stopped with him. So he set up a meticulous basis for determining the level of their honesty, telling them that your words may be tested to see whether there is any truth in you (v. 16).

• A period of proving enlivened a collective conscience (Gen. 42:21).

After so many years, at the prompting of their intent, their conscience brought their sin to heart, when they said, We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul, when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear (v. 21). What fear must have flooded their minds! God was beginning His work of purging the guile of past hardness from their hearts. Little did they know that their helplessness and fear was being overheard.

• Joseph was merciful before his brethren repented (Gen. 42:24).

At the first hint of repentance, Joseph wept. They were tears of mercy. He knew his brethren could be restored. This is the principle of mercy first. When God reconciled the world through Christ He used goodness from mercy to bring many to repentance.

God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us…For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his son, much more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by his life (Rom. 5:8,10 RSV). Joseph’s brethren were saved by his life. His life was driven by God’s mercy operating in his actions.

• Recognizing his brother, Joseph prepares the table (Gen. 43:16).

The name Benjamin means son of the right hand. It is derived in part by a root meaning builder of the family name. When Joseph recognized that his younger brother was safe, and his family was intact — in effect, that both hands were now present — he began the realization of reconciliation by preparing a table, slaughtering an animal. He was to begin building the family name. In the same way, the Lord prepared a table and a sacrifice for his brethren, knowing that the name of his father would be manifested, and the house would be built from the disposition of mercy as it would cover sin.

• They communed at the door of his house (Gen. 43:19).

Still being afraid and expecting the worst, Joseph’s brothers were brought to his house. It was there, at the door, with the steward of Joseph’s house, that they communed together. They had come to buy food. They were hungry and in need of the grain Joseph had stored for them through the providence of God. Joseph’s testing had produced fear. Yet Joseph’s message was consistent with his spirit: Peace be with you, do not be afraid, your God and the God of your father has given you treasure… (vs. 21-23). 0 what treasures of faith, strength, fellowship and salvation there are that lay beyond the door of the house! Jesus is our door. He said, He that enters by the door is the shepherd [steward] (John 10:2). The righteous shepherd brings back them that were driven away (Ezk. 34). In a curious irony, it is Joseph who is now in the role of a shepherd in that he is bringing his brethren back. We should understand that fear is typical to a reconciliation process, but perfect love casts it out.

• Joseph’s servant washed their feet (Gen. 43:24).

All of us pick up dust from the paths we’ve followed. It is the ministration of the Lord to wash it off, cleansing the feet for a new path to be followed. It is the service he demands of us, never engaging in dispute at his table, rather, abasing ourselves by providing the service of atoning mercy as it would wash away any remnant of the paths our brethren have followed, if we are to be cleansed ourselves. So, of Joseph’s brethren it says, …and they washed their feet. Would not the Lord himself have realized from Joseph’s example how the greatest among them was he that served? Should our service be any less in the context of a dispute around the table?

• Joseph served bread and wine (Gen. 43:25,31,34).

We see the marvel of divine preparation in Joseph’s next action. What exquisite detail there was in the mind of God as he guided Joseph’s spirit to reflect the work of Christ in preparing bread and wine for his brethren! Moved to tears again, flooded with thoughts of lost love and separation, of found brethren and restoration, Joseph restrained his poignant joy and said, Serve the bread (v. 31). So they drank wine (shathah) and were merry with him (v. 34). Nevertheless, his brethren were yet in their sin, because although their conscience was quickening, they had not yet confessed to their brother, nor would they have ever, if the spirit of Christ in Joseph had not led them to it. In Genesis 44:16, Judah finally exclaims to Joseph, God has found out the iniquity of your servants. The table does the same to our conscience when the world’s cups are found in our sacks.

• Judah’s sacrifice follows his confession (Gen. 43:33).

Whatever sacrifices were to be offered, whatever personal concession, it was the chastening of the Lord’s process upon them that disposed them to its curative effect. Judah offered himself instead of the lad Benjamin. Having acknowledged his sin, and the certainty of God’s judgments, he is ready for self-sacrifice. So he said, Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord (v. 33). So it is with us that the Lord gave himself for us while we were yet sinners; he prepared a table for us; we commune together as brethren and stewards of his house; we confess our sins and offer ourselves as servants. But would we enslave ourselves  to protect our brother? This was the spirit of Judah.

• Joseph wells with tears and he reveals himself (Gen. 45:1-4).

Of the final scene, Bro. Roberts wrote:

“No more exquisite story was ever written or conceived. It breaks down the strong man today every time it is realized. It is part of a story yet unfinished, for Joseph has yet to reappear in the land of the living to learn of the deliverance of his people from Egypt, and of the long, sad, yet God-illuminated history coming after; and to take part in a still more thrilling situation when another, who, like himself, was hated by his brethren, and sold for thirty pieces of silver, makes himself known to his misguided brethren for the joy of Israel and the blessedness of all mankind.”

What manner of love is it that produces such selfless mercy if it is not the love of Christ? The story of Joseph together with the story of Christ makes a complete picture of the power of mercy. Like it was with the two on the road to Emmaus, when the atoning table was served, the Lord was suddenly apparent. Another “thrilling situation” awaits those who, like Joseph, cannot restrain themselves any longer from separation and cry out to one another, weeping over the great work of mercy, the manifest spirit of Christ, I am your brother!

10) The righteousness and purpose of God acknowledged (Gen. 45:5-15).

In the succeeding verses, Joseph entreats his brothers to “please come near” (45:4). He attributes the whole history to God –for God sent me before you to preserve life (45:5). His heart was for the children—”God sent me before you to preserve a posterity,” (45:7). He invited them to “be near” to him (v. 10). And his purpose was to nourish them—There I will provide for you, lest you and your household and all that you have come to poverty (45 : 11).

Have we considered just how much life was saved by Joseph’s mercy, which, like Christ’s, was the controlling influence of his actions? If Joseph had not brought his brethren back, they might have died. If they died, where would Israel be? If Judah had starved, where would the Lion of his tribe have come from? As it turns out, all of Israel, the son of God himself and those that are his at his coming, virtually all the faithful since Joseph, were in a very real sense dependent upon Joseph’s decision to be merciful in the recognition of his brethren. What an unspeakable, limitless, power there is in the mercy of the Lord! Who knows what testimony may be made in this world in the same expression for us? Could it be that the testimony is the same as that which was expressed by our Lord in his prayer in John 17 — a testimony reaching out to the world — that God sent Christ and we have manifested his name?

Summary:

STEPS IN JOSEPH’S RECONCILIATION

1. Brethren were proven (truth & assurances) (42:15)
2. A table was prepared (faith in providence) (43:16)
3. Brethren communed (fellowship) (43:19)
4. Feet were washed (service covers dispute) (43:23,24)
5. A gift was offered at the table (reconciliation) (43:25)
6. Bread & wine were served (righteousness/joy) (43:25)
7. There was confession and repentance (humility) (44:16,33)
8. God’s purpose was acknowledged (covenant) (45:5)
9. Nourishment was provided (edification) (45:11)
10. Life was preserved (the work of Christ)

Principles for us:

One of the intrinsic principles of Joseph’s story is that mercy makes reconciliation. Jesus showed the same point when he corrected the dispute at the table by washing the feet of his disciples. So to try to implement reconciliation around the table of the Lord out of blame or dispute, especially when they come from tradition, would be inevitably unsuccessful. God-given customs are present around the sacrifice of Christ and God’s reconciliation in the form of baptism and breaking bread, but the driving force and mental disposition of Christ’s obedience and God’s action was mercy.

Once the truth of Christ’s sacrifice has been understood, mercy is the only way by which we can put the atonement into practice. By mercy we cover the sins of brethren, as ours are covered. It was from mercy that the truth was proclaimed by John Thomas. Mercy makes the order recommended in the Ecclesial Guide work. By mercy the Lord has endured our debates, schisms and strife for more than one hundred years. It will be mercy that makes the practice of our fellowship work for brethren who obey the truth and love each other. It will be through mercy that we will realize the potential in the testimony we make to the world. And it will be by mercy and mercy alone that any of us will be born of the everlasting spirit of God in the judgment.

A central principle of Joseph’s story is that mercy for his brethren was not dependent on their measuring up to a high standard of expectation. It was Joseph’s goodness, not their character, which brought them back, and which preserved life in the end. In the same way we understand that Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. It is the goodness of God’s mercy that leads us to repentance.

Finally, the story of Joseph’s reconciliation is particularly useful with respect to the chronology of reconciliation and breaking of bread. The second step Joseph took after proving the truth in his brethren was to prepare a table for them. It was an assumption of reconciliation based on his faith in God’s purpose.

He ate bread and drank wine with them though they did not recognize him, nor had their repentance reached completion, if it had begun at all. Restorative action was taken and healing followed; not the reverse. In other words, complete healing was not a requirement for restorative action. The same principle applied to the Lord’s sacrifice. Reconciliation was assumed and implemented from service and self-sacrifice, anticipating the healing that would follow. Should it be any different for us?