Set Your House in Order . . .
Reflections on God's Divine Order
by
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Grace heals: “And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Gen. 45:5).
Twenty-two years had passed since Joseph was sold into slavery—twenty-two years of mental and physical torture, loneliness, grief over the loss of his family, and the angst of the question, “Why?” His dreams prophesied power, not imprisonment and slavery.
As he looked at them and saw the fear and anxiety distorting their faces, the agony of his own court appearances flooded his mind. Paul experienced rejection and forgave: “At my first defense no one came to stand by me . . . May it not be charged against them!” (2 Tim. 4:16). Joseph wrestled.
His brothers stood before him, anxiously awaiting the verdict. Fearing the worst, punishment for their sinful acts against Joseph, they trembled. As they were still not aware of this man’s true identity, uneasiness saturated their minds. Somehow this stranger knew more than he had revealed.
God, the Divine Protector and Provider, exhaled, and the fog of bitterness, guilt, and fear dispersed. Joseph called the courtroom to order and demanded that all but the brothers leave his presence. Emotionally spent, he wept so loudly that the entire palace heard him.
Joseph, with extreme emotion, cried out, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” (Gen. 45:3). It’s strange that he asked about his father again, as he was mentioned in Judah’s defense and was the reason for releasing Benjamin. Did he still not trust them? He certainly had reason.
The revealing of his identity caught them completely off guard. They were doomed! There was no hope for any mercy. Spiritual dementia fogged their memories of God’s promise to their father, “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go . . . For I will not leave you” (Gen. 28:15).
Joseph affirmed God’s work. He assured them God sent him to Egypt, made him father and counselor to Pharaoh, lord and ruler of all Egypt. Joseph, the pastor, offered freedom, not slavery to their past violence. The famine upset the cosmic order, but God used Joseph’s moral order to reconcile family order.
A flood of emotions swept through the room. The verdict was innocent. The tension eased, as Joseph compelled them to release their fear and guilt. Only God is sovereign and in control of any revenge. The hand of God had sent Joseph to Egypt to preserve and keep alive a remnant of His chosen people.
When God sets His plans in motion, all Heaven breaks loose. The Pharaoh heard of the joyous reunion of Joseph and his brothers, especially Benjamin, and quickly announced that the family was welcome in Egypt. The best of everything was prepared for the move of Joseph’s father and his family from Canaan to Egypt.
Celebration would have been in order all the way home to Canaan, however, the dread of their encounter with their father hung over their heads. Confession requires repentance, and that can be a nasty dose of medicine. Perhaps that’s the reason for Joseph’s admonishment, “Do not quarrel on the way” (v. 24).
The brothers stood before their father and broke the news that Joseph was alive and he requested they come to Egypt to live. His heart nearly exploded in disbelief and joy. How could this be true? The bloody truth flowed out of their mouths, and forgiveness cauterized the deep wounds of the heart.
Forgiveness of this magnitude requires a fathomless faith. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Joseph’s heart of forgiveness testified of his faith in God’s promises of protection and provision. Jacob also remembered this God of the Covenant, and he forgave.
Joseph’s experiences fostered the belief that God was against him. Even Jesus, nailed to the cross, spoke of being forsaken by God (Matt. 27:46). In regard to Jesus, Paul encouraged the Hebrews, “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Heb. 12:3). Joseph, like Jesus, endured the physical and emotional torment of God’s calling in order to bring about the Divine order of reconciliation.
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About the Book
Come and drink from the well of reconciliation. In the book of Genesis, God hovers over the watery depths and speaks His fixed order into creation. The book of Genesis contains numerous accounts of the activities of God at water wells. The scenes picture the wells as gathering places for refreshment and survival, like the account of Hagar; for seeking marital relationships, as in the stories of Rebekah and Rachel. Like Bethel, altars established at dig sites of wells institute the worship of God. Praise, thanksgiving and reconciliation, as between Isaac and Abimelech, restore God’s moral, social, and cosmic order. The history of Jacob and Esau and Joseph and his family digs into human relationships and the priority God places on keeping His family and the community’s order maintained and reconciled. God inspired Genesis to be humanity’s instruction manual for building and restoring families and relationships according to His Divine Order.
About the Author
Brenda Miller, another ordinary person to whom God chose to reveal His extraordinary unfailing love, was given the gift of His inspiration in the writing of two books, God’s Unfailing Love and Set Your House in Order. During periods of personal challenges, God spoke His words of wisdom, comfort, and encouragement when she began journaling her experiences.
Brenda’s physical and spiritual upbringing began on a small farm in rural Kentucky. She was nurtured by the “heritage of those who fear [God’s] name” (Psalm 61:5 NIV). Brenda also began her married life as a farmer’s wife. God granted Brenda’s desire for four children, two boys and two girls. Thirteen grandchildren grace the homes of the four children. She praises God for their trust in God who guides them in the righteous path (Ps. 23:3 NIV).
True to His word, God has never left nor forsaken Brenda and her family through the battles of financial failure, relocations, major health crises, new beginnings, and parenting. His abundant riches of grace and mercy through His wise counsel and timely intervention continue to lead Brenda’s family through all challenges and opportunities to praise God.
God also instilled in Brenda a heart for missions. She has had the opportunity to serve in Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee, and in Belize. Her faith is stronger as a result of experiencing God’s mighty works among other peoples.
Set Your House in Order reveals God’s ways and Divine Order throughout His creation of the world and humanity. He works in the lives of both His chosen people and all humanity for His purposes and our good. The family unit was first ordained by Him and nurtured for an intimate relationship with our Creator. God desires that His family follow His covenant and commandments in all our activities to promote loving relationships, always working towards reconciliation and restoration.