What would Jospeh do?
Christine Colliar
August 16, 2026
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Genesis 45: 1-15 (NIV-UK)
1 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, ‘Make everyone leave my presence!’ So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph! Is my father still living?’ But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come close to me.’ When they had done so, he said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no ploughing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 ‘So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. 9 Now hurry back to my father and say to him, “This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. 10 You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me – you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. 11 I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.”
12 ‘You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. 13 Tell my father about all the honour accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.’
14 Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterwards his brothers talked with him.
Joseph is unrecognisable. Gone are the dusty clothes of the shepherd boy. He stands in princely splendour, clothed in fine linen and gold.
Before him kneel his brothers — hungry, dirty, exhausted, and afraid. This powerful Egyptian is their only hope. Why has he summoned them? He has a country to feed. Why concern himself with a handful of desperate strangers?
Joseph tries to speak, but nothing comes. So he turns away.
Then they hear it. Not the language of Egypt, but the familiar voice of home.
Then recognition, and fear, and shame.
But Joseph is truly great. He bends to meet them where they are, lifts them, and weeps. His tears welcome his brothers home.
Prayer:
Lord, it hurts.
It hurts so much.
You know the story.
How can I face this?
How can I forgive?
How can I make this work?
Meet me in this place.
Stay with me in my pain.
Let me weep tears of reconciliation.
Amen
What can I do? Write a prayer for reconciliation in a situation in your life.
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