It’s Joseph? Uh Oh!

Although the Biblical text never mentions the reaction of the brothers when Joseph revealed to them his true identity, I can only imagine that fear had to overwhelm the dastardly siblings. I picture Jacob’s sons having a shepherd in the fields “Fear Not!” experience. Undoubtedly they expressed a hint of uncertainty. They had no idea what would happen next. Was this the time that Joseph would exact his revenge?

We know what it feels like to be at the end of the road, running from mistakes we made in the past. To move forward, we must “Fear Not!” and confront our pain head-on. Sometimes there is uncertainty about who or what will not hear us or they will fight even harder to keep us in bondage. Whatever it may be, we will never know the truth until we move past the pain that continues to hunt us down.

Hear the good news, Joseph embraced his brothers and welcomed them with open, loving arms. What began as a tense meeting gave way to joy and happiness. For Joseph, it meant that he could share his success with those closest to him. For the brothers, they learned how to love and cast pettiness aside, for the most important thing, even in the first book of the Bible, is love.