joseph weeps 7 times

Genesis 42:24,   43:30,    45:2,   45:14 and 15,   46:29,   50:1,   50:17

We mourn the losses we've suffered over the years and rightfully so. The scars they've left are indeed painful, but God is the restorer of the years the locusts have eaten, so to speak. He can buy back some time with joy, provided we don't take too long in unburdening our hearts to Him.

Some wait too long to make their peace with tragedy and pain in their lives. Some have waited to address these matters on their death beds when quality of life has ebbed away leaving them no chance for reconciliation or peace.

God had mercy on Jacob in that he got to have some wonderful years with Joseph under the best of circumstances.

Joseph's brothers, who did him wrong, realized their sin, confessed it to him and confronted what they had done in the past. This is what true repentance looks like.  Some Christians believe that all that's necessary for them to do is to confess their wrong to God and that is sufficient. But what about the person they've wronged?

Joseph, himself, comes full circle with the ultimate purpose for his life.

Jacob also had something to learn. He was a cunningly shrewd person in his earlier years. He stole his brother's birthright, he out-smarted Laban, and became rich as a result, and his sons took on the negative qualities by deceiving him into thinking that Joseph was dead.

Yet God is merciful to Jacob. He got to see the fruitfulness and multiplying of his family over the course of 17 years in Egypt and how God's promise to Abraham was well on the way from 66 souls that came to Egypt to plus that at his death. He got a glimpse of the future and the promise.

We must not drag our feet when it comes to confronting sin in our lives or any wrong, we have done. Christians are to confess their wrongs, sin, or faults to each other while there is still time. As we see in this story, God sleeps on nothing. He exposes sin. He sees to it that Joseph's brethren are dealt with. He refused to let the situation remain hidden. he brings justice for Joseph with great blessing in the end.

---