Nougat 13

There comes a time when the best way forward is true repentance. Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.””

Genesis 50:18 NRSV

The pride, rather arrogance of Jacob’s sons had been evident in the early aspects of the narrative (:see Genesis 34-36). In general, they operated as a unit and were not averse to use trickery if it suited their needs. One may be correct in wondering what was different this time around.

To some extent, nothing had changed. They were still being shrewd by using their father’s good name to help themselves. However, I believe that this offer to serve Joseph as slaves was genuine. That offer went against their natural inclinations. It was a complete turn around.

Of course, we also see the writer including the nuanced parallels: in the past, those brothers Sold Joseph into slavery. Now they volunteered to be enslaved by Joseph. It is possible that this constituted a formula for family repentance (Luke 15:21); but their willingness to become subjects of Joseph speaks volumes.

It suggests that those brothers demonstrated True Repentance. This often happens when we realize that our ‘crime’ is so great that we are willing to become subject to the full extent of the Law. It often includes the wrong-doer being prepared to make things right at great sacrifice to our own selves.

When was our last moment of True Repentance?

May we find God’s amazing love at the point of our repentance.

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May all we seek be found in Christ