Tag: blame
Don’t quarrel on the way!
Scripture reading for January 16th: Genesis 45-47
Families and churches are sometimes prone to conflict! I know because I live in a family, have attended churches for many years, and have pastored for 34 years in four different churches. I have experienced conflict in family and church settings and sometimes been responsible for it myself. Sometimes conflict comes from misunderstanding and poor communication. Other times it comes from jealousy or envy. Sometimes it comes from sin and wrong-doing. Everybody wants to blame somebody else and arguments ensue about who is at fault!
In our reading today, Joseph revealed himself to his brothers after a series of encounters with them. When Joseph revealed himself to them, they were astonished, speechless, and terrified because of guilt! (Genesis 45:1-7) Joseph had to reassure them that it was truly him. He understood their feelings. He had likely worked through these same kinds of feelings himself over the years. God gave him understanding of His greater purpose that was being worked out. Joseph shared this purpose with his brothers to encourage them. “It was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”
As Joseph sent them away to bring Israel and the rest of the family down to Egypt to save them during the coming 5 years of famine, he warned them not to quarrel on the way! He knew human nature and the temperament of his brothers. God desires forgiveness, unity, and humbly serving one another. In that unity He can bless and fulfill His promises. Prophetic vision of God’s purposes helps us cooperate.
Are you experiencing strife or quarreling in your family, church or at work? What is God’s purpose that He has to place you there? How might you share this to God’s glory?
Genesis 45:24 “Don’t quarrel on the way!”
Quarreling breaks connections!
Scripture reading for January 16th: Genesis 45-47
Families and churches are prone to conflict! I know because I live in a family and have been a pastor for twenty-five years in three different churches. I have experienced conflict in family and church settings and sometimes been responsible for it myself! Sometimes conflict comes from misunderstanding and poor communication. Other times it comes from jealousy or envy. Sometimes it comes from sin and wrong-doing. Everybody wants to blame somebody else and arguments ensue about who was right or who to blame!
When Joseph revealed himself to his estranged brothers, they were astonished, speechless, and terrified! (Genesis 45:1-7) Joseph had to reassure them because he probably had to work through these same kinds of feelings himself. God had given him understanding of the greater purpose that was being worked out. “It was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”
Joseph sent them away to bring the rest of the family down to Egypt to save them during the next 5 years of famine. He warned them not to quarrel on the way! It doesn’t appear that repentance had truly taken place and Joseph sensed possible animosity. We can only take responsibility for our own sins and forgive others of theirs. When we do that, quarreling is greatly reduced and peace in the family can be re-established. God works out his purposes in our families and homes even amidst the conflict and sin so prevalent in our lives. Often it’s hard to see the big picture.
Jesus Christ was sent before us to save us! He saw God’s big picture and died for our sins. If we confess our sins and repent of them, he will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all guilt and shame. But we may need many reminders to forgive ourselves, others, and let the old memories of failures fade away. May we be able to heed the ancient warning of Joseph and receive the blessing of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. “Don’t quarrel on the way!” (Genesis 45:24)