GENESIS 42 REPENTANCE? I looked across the Middle East from my historical vantage point, and saw the good years had passed and the famine had spread from Egypt to Canaan. There was no question as to whether the need was there. There were no grain crops to be harvested. In the ancient world grain was the only food that could be stored. It was the important staple of life and even survival, for without it, nations could fall. The blessings of God to us are given for a reason. "The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance." But most will not recognize God in the good times. It is to most people a time to accumulate wealth and enjoy life. Many will not prepare for, or even anticipate, the danger and difficulties that will come.
When the goodness of God doesn't reach the heart and conscience of men, then God may send the famine, pestilence and acts of nature to make people realize how dependent they are on God. Joseph had made
Egypt ready for the hungry times because of the guidance of God and his fellowship with God. Others around did not prepare. God has His people world-wide giving warnings today of dark times of tribulation ahead that is referred to as "the time of Jacob's trouble." But very few listen; or repent and prepare for what is ahead. They feel sorry for what happens and look for someone to blame, but few ever come to real repentance or acknowledge their own sin and responsibility for all that happened.
The hunger in Jacob's family didn't bring about the repentance that was needed for forgiveness. The journey to Egypt and accusation made against them didn't bring repentance. It was the threat of death that first awakened their consciences to put into words the guilt that still dwelt in each one of them. Finally, they articulated, at least to each other, the guilt they felt. But to admit to guilt is not all that is involved in genuine repentance. When one is caught in wrong-doing and feels sorry he was caught, is not repentance. When one admits he is wrong because of an act, even verbalizing guilt is not all that is involved in repentance. There are consequences to our actions that we will have to face. But even that is not what repentance is.
Fear came on Joseph's brothers when they saw the money in their sacks of grain. Now, even though they were far from Egypt and Joseph, with food to eat, there was a deep-seated fear. They were learning the biblical principle, "Be sure your sin will find you out. " They had now no difficulty of talking about the problem, but they still didn't confess to and admit their guilt as to the cause of the problem. Sin has to be faced. Sin has to be confessed. Sin has consequences that cannot be avoided. When looking for someone or something to place blame on when hard times come, start first with a thorough examination of one's self. Don't start with others. I am responsible for "me." I cannot point at others until I consider "the beam in my own eye." Where have I failed? What have I done? What have I left undone? What were the real motives behind my actions?
Sometimes we may think things we did twenty years before don't matter. But God does "require that which is past." When made aware of our wrongdoing, it is our responsibility to make it right if possible. The awareness of the problem, the admission of guilt to each other, the pricking of conscience, the fear that was experienced still was not what was involved in true repentance in Joseph's brothers. Confession of, and forsaking of sin is what is needed in repentance. One's confession lifts the mind to think like God thinks. God knows the reasons behind the confession and the heart work involved. Confession of wrong to a person is part of what is needed, but confession to God is the essential act that leads to forgiveness. When that is done there is no need to dwell on a sense of guilt that may arise from time to time. God knows the reason behind the action and it has been faced and dealt with. There is no virtue or value in going back over what has been dealt with before God.
In the case of Joseph's brothers, they had not admitted to their father the action they had taken against Joseph. To admit to fellow-conspirators their guilt was not real repentance. To have fear is not real repentance. Man looks only on the outward appearance. Joseph could hear their words to each other, but sensed there was only guilt - not repentance. God holds back judgment today because He wants repentance to be real so He can bless men. God extends His arm of goodness that men might express their unworthiness and be brought to repentance. The great increase of disastrous events awakens people but as yet there hasn't been any evidence of real repentance. May God have mercy on us yet that repentance may be real.
It may not seem like much to some, but to the awakened soul Repentance has to take place before one can be really whole. There has to be the facing of wrong and do what is needed to set right Anything that separates the soul from God that one may walk in the light.
Grace from God is a wondrous thing when sin has been confessed. Relief from the pangs of guilt is lifted and one is no longer distressed. There is fellowship with God that is restored and He can truly use The one who has been recovered to Him, and who doesn't His grace abuse.
Then faith comes into action and with grateful heart we trust That God means what He says when He tells us He forgives us. There is then no reason to go back and relive the guilt of the past. When God forgives His child, it is a forgiveness that lasts.
Our heavenly "Joseph" is always there, ready to hear our cry. He knows what we really mean, or what we are trying to get by.
It is well for me to remember He knows the thoughts and intents of my heart. Confession of sin has to be real and from that sin we stay apart.
The results of faith in God's Word, leads one to live in freedom. The words that are written give assurance if only we will truly heed them. To go back over and over again something dealt with long ago, Is detrimental to one's fellowship because it implies there's doubt in the soul.
Joseph's brothers started, but their repentance was not complete. They could admit guilt to themselves but to Joseph they didn't repeat. They had to continue on longer with a conscience awakened but not free. Reviewing what is real repentance is an important lesson to me.
I rest in the Word of God, what God has said I have done. There is no need to feel guilty, the consequences are forever gone. The Word of God is plain, our sins are cast into the depths of the sea. There is no reason to doubt God, He has always been faithful to me.
To God I give my praise and worship, He has saved and kept me by grace. As I review His faithfulness, there is His path of forgiveness I trace. I have failed Him in many ways, He has never failed me in one. I honor Him here today, and give Him glory for all He has done.
"Gracious Father, to review Thy ways of grace to me has made me appreciate more than ever the extent of Thy salvation which has been given to me. May I never doubt Thee or Thy Word. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."