Genesis 43:33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked in astonishment at one another.
This is the reaction of Joseph's brothers when they approach him for food because of the severe famine that was upon the region. At this particular moment, these brothers did not know Joseph was the brother they had sold into slavery many years before. What they did know was they were aliens in the Pharaoh's land seeking food for their people. If necessary, they came equipped with money to purchase the food if available. Yet, what they found stunned them. Isn't this the universal reaction when there is absolutely no reason for such gracious and kind treatment to be given? The manner and the way they were received is inexplicable and incomprehensible to their reasoning. There is simply no ability within their finite minds to begin to grasp why they were being treated in such a touching, moving, and compassionate way.
Yet, isn't this the same reaction we have to grace? I know myself deeply. My hatred, my anger, my resentments, my self adulation, my using God's name in vain, my lust, my covetousness, my .... Wait this is a disturbing picture, yet God let's me dine at his table while he is present! And all I can think of is I don't deserve to be here yet he insists he wants me with him. His grace leaves me astonished, because there is no reasoning that will explain why he gives it to me, when I very clearly do not deserve it.
Refreshing is the word which comes to mind at the moment. I deserved many other things but I was given grace. God reveals how much he loves me and while it remains beyond my ability to grasp, still this should drive me to humbleness and worship. If it does not, then perhaps I have not fully appreciated what God has given me. Why God would choose to bestow me with grace is beyond my finite brain's ability to grasp. Yet, it should leave me astonished, and when I am astonished that means I may not comprehend the why of it, but I do comprehend the truth of it and this is something I must share with others. Astonish me Father, and heal my hardened heart.
This is the reaction of Joseph's brothers when they approach him for food because of the severe famine that was upon the region. At this particular moment, these brothers did not know Joseph was the brother they had sold into slavery many years before. What they did know was they were aliens in the Pharaoh's land seeking food for their people. If necessary, they came equipped with money to purchase the food if available. Yet, what they found stunned them. Isn't this the universal reaction when there is absolutely no reason for such gracious and kind treatment to be given? The manner and the way they were received is inexplicable and incomprehensible to their reasoning. There is simply no ability within their finite minds to begin to grasp why they were being treated in such a touching, moving, and compassionate way.
Yet, isn't this the same reaction we have to grace? I know myself deeply. My hatred, my anger, my resentments, my self adulation, my using God's name in vain, my lust, my covetousness, my .... Wait this is a disturbing picture, yet God let's me dine at his table while he is present! And all I can think of is I don't deserve to be here yet he insists he wants me with him. His grace leaves me astonished, because there is no reasoning that will explain why he gives it to me, when I very clearly do not deserve it.
Refreshing is the word which comes to mind at the moment. I deserved many other things but I was given grace. God reveals how much he loves me and while it remains beyond my ability to grasp, still this should drive me to humbleness and worship. If it does not, then perhaps I have not fully appreciated what God has given me. Why God would choose to bestow me with grace is beyond my finite brain's ability to grasp. Yet, it should leave me astonished, and when I am astonished that means I may not comprehend the why of it, but I do comprehend the truth of it and this is something I must share with others. Astonish me Father, and heal my hardened heart.
