For NIV reading click here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+44-45&version=NIV
These two chapters can't be read apart from one another. The tension between Joseph and his brothers (and their father Jacob/Israel) comes to a high point and then begins God's resolution to all that has happened over many years. Joseph's extremely theological interpretation of the events of their lives is a profound challenge to me to 'read' the unfolding story of my life through the lens of God's sovereign and good will. It doesn't exempt us from suffering, tears, loss and a host of relationship challenges. But looking at life theologically, through the eyes of real sturdy trust and surrender to God might just nurture in us the kind of radical confidence in God that Joseph had.
Thoughts, etc.
Matt
The very short version of your comments is "everything has a purpose, and everything happens for a reason." Words like these are often used by believers in sad times ("Sorry your dog was killed Timmy, but God has a purpose for this...") which to me sometimes sounds like a cop out. To assume we know God's plan is arrogant, but to just toss up our hands in blind confusion and acceptance is just as criminal. I like what you said about interpretation being a profound challenge. This means we do not sit and watch God's unknown and unknowable plan crash through our lives, but we strive for understanding. More importantly we strive for compatibility with the plan, and even staying in tune with it to the best our mortal minds can grasp.
ReplyDeleteGood thoughts Dave...I'm with you. Trusting that God has a plan doesn't mean apathy (cop out) but greater motivation to be faithful as Joseph learned when Potiphar tried to seduce him, when his brothers who left him for dead showed up in front of him, etc. There is evil and brokenness and injustice in the world, and God lost (gave up) His Son to turn that around.
ReplyDeleteDave , there have been times that I have done all I could to try and understand God's working in a
ReplyDeletegiven situation or series of events . Once in a while I have a clue ; often not .Sometimes I find it so frustrating trying to understand God's reasoning that I feel like God
let's us make our own decisions ,lets " nature " take it's course , then lets the chips fall where they may .
But I know that He has a plan ; life is ordered but I feel that struggling with trying to comprehend God's purposes at any one time is so often just fruitless and a waste of time and effort .
I do pray however to be able to " strive for compatibility
with His plan " as you suggest , and to stay in tune with that plan .
Label me criminal if you will , but I'm done lying awake nights trying to figure out the Almighty's purposes ; I more desperately seek His direction for me in my normal day to day activities. I'm trusting that he will more readily show me that than His reasons .
That make sense ?
Doc, the criminal part is not whether or not you lose sleep over anything. It must be prefaced with the failure that occurs when we "just toss up our hands in blind confusion." The fact that you are seeking His will, even in the day-to-day things makes you innocent in my book ;-)
ReplyDelete