THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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Have you ever felt guilty because of something you did?
A salesman had waited all afternoon to see the manager. He knew a competitor had this account, but wanted a chance to "pitch" to the boss. Finally, the secretary led him into the manager's office.
During his sales pitch, he noticed an invoice on the manager's desk that was from the competitor. A coffee can was over the bottom half of the invoice and he couldn't see what prices his competitor was charging.
Then, the manager asked to be excused for a moment and left the salesman there alone. Quickly he decided that he could move the coffee can, and see what story the invoice told. But when he bumped the coffee can, trying to move it, and a MILLION BB's fell out onto the desk and floor. Just then, the manager came back in!
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Gen 42:17-24
17 And he put them all together into ward three days.
18 And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:
19 If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:
20 But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.
21 And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.
22 And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.
23 And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.
24 And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.
KJV
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Speaking of guilt! The guilt of what they had done to Joseph was eating these men alive! (See verse 21) And they didn't even know it was Joseph in front of them.
Guilt of unconfessed sin will affect everything a person does. Fear becomes a constant acquaintance, and suspicion clouds every relationship. Unforgiven sin is the root cause for bitterness, envy, jealousy and a host of other sins.
Once a young man came into the store I was managing, and handed me a ten dollar bill. He said, "When I was a boy, I stole two candy bars from this store. The guilt of it made me a bitter man. But now, I have surrendered to Jesus, confessed my sin, and realize the need to make restitution. You may not understand it, but please accept the ten dollars."
Well, I did understand it. I took the $10, rang 50 cents up on a cash register and gave him the receipt and $9.50 change. He said, "But it's been 10 years, I want to pay for any loss you have had." I said, "My friend, if you feel the need to pay for lost merchandise, that's good - it came by God's conviction. But Jesus has already paid for your sin - you have no need to try and pay for that." A big smile came on his face, and he said, "You DO understand!"
We may wonder why Joseph never went to Jacob's home after he was made 2nd in command of all Egypt. Surely he had the opportunity, and it was only a few days travel by chariot. We may wonder why Joseph didn't immediately tell his brothers who he was.
Joseph's life was coordinated by God to reflect the Savior. And we must understand that Jacob and his whole family had to come to a point where they ACKNOWLEDGED Joseph, and that his dreams had been true revelations from God. The brothers had to come to a point of CONFESSION of their sin.
God does not want us to live with guilt, fear and suspicion. All He requires is that we acknowledge Jesus as Lord and confess our sins to Him, pleading forgiveness.
Love ya,
Bruce