Genesis 45-46

Genesis 45-46

Joseph broke down. He could not hide who he was anymore. He sent others out, and cried to his brothers: "I am Joseph". He reminded them of how they sold him, but God used it for His good. God used it to preserve life. God will use things in our lives in the most unlikely ways, just as He did for Joseph. Because Joseph was sent to Egypt, his brothers' lives would be saved along with his father and their entire clan. Joseph was able to provide for his brothers, so they could live in a place where they had enough versus struggling to survive. Joseph had to show others his true identity~ so he could be used by God. I can imagine it could have a struggle for him to be able to reveal himself to his brothers...but it is because Joseph revealed his identity, the entire family of Jacob was saved. They were given the best piece of land. They were beyond blessed. The blessing only could of came when Joseph revealed who he really was. As word travels about Joseph's brothers, Pharaoh begins to bless the brothers too.

Great abundance was poured out to Jacob's sons as they traveled home to get their father and families. Even when Joseph could curse them, he does not. Instead, he chose to bless them! The blessing could of only came through Joseph revealing his true identity.

Some things stand out about revealing identities. Sometimes, we may want to hide who we are. But it is when we share that we are able to shine for Him and bless others! God uses us as we show ourselves to others. I think about how hard it is to relate to others who may not struggle with an illness. Often we can get tempted to "not reveal ourselves", but we cannot forget about the blessings that could be in store as we do share and get to encourage someone else that God does work in these situations. Our sharing could draw others closer to Him!

My points noted about Joseph revealing himself:

There is a purpose behind disclosing his identity: Other than severe longing, many things came from telling his brothers who he was. He did not reveal who he was in chapter 43. There was a specific time and purpose. It was not until the 46 chapter that Joseph revealed himself.

Blessing to others: 46:9-13

In being a blessing to others, he is also confronted with his own emotions that could not be escaped. Recognizing and sharing who we are with others can be quite an emotional journey. IE) sharing who I am in the midst of Fibromyalgia attacking my body. It brings on great emotions. It makes it really difficult to share at times. It is only when all that is being experienced (overcoming feelings and willing to share) that I can be a blessing to others. Without sharing those areas of my life, I would be missing big blessings and openness with others. God uses my willingness and He is honored as I am willing to share, just as God was honored by how Joseph revealed who he was to his brothers. I want to give Him all of me! Part of it is being willing to share with others about my struggles, knowing it will help others come to know and experience Him!

Encouragement to his brothers: 45:24

It is when we share ourselves and our struggles that we can be used by God greatly. Joseph was used by God greatly, but he had to share his struggles. In sharing his struggles of what he went through, he was able to offer encouragement: "Do not quarrel along the way." He could anticipated the kind of quarreling that may be ready to take place. When he was sharing who he was, he made sure to tell them that he was not angry at them. Before he really began sharing who he was, he made sure to let them know that he was not angry at them. So much time elapsed, and the emotions would be too. Sharing our stories and who we are can offer SO MUCH encouragement to others!

We can experience trials and can help others, because we have been there. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 states:
³ "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too."

We can comfort others, because of the comfort Christ has shown us. Christ comforts us in our trials and we get the privilege to share the same kind of comfort with others as we comfort them as they go through different things..
 

Giving them advice: 46:31-34

It is because of Joseph's own experiences that he was able to give advice to his brothers to help them be accepted and not scorned by the Egyptians. Joseph had come to know the rules of the people in Egypt, so he could help the brothers avoid culture clash. His experiences would help his brothers... This is the way it is in our lives: by sharing our true selves and not being silent, we can help others. Even if it is just talking about what we have experienced, we can bless others greatly and help others avoid mistakes we might of made or seen others make.

Basically for me, it reminds me that only in sharing who I am and where God has been working in my life is how I can be a blessing to others and be used by Him. Trials can be used for God. Blessings can flow out of the wounds of trials. It is just about being obedient to Him!