Fulfillment and Fear

Dear Christa—

From Genesis to Now: Fulfillment

Fulfillment of God’s words doesn’t always come right away, but it comes. Joseph’s brothers were fearful that God’s punishment for their wrongdoing was imminent. Yet, what was on the horizon was the fulfillment of the dreams—dreams that angered them so as to send a brother into slavery—to lie to a father dearly loved, to endure pain, guilt, and hidden sin.

Joseph’s steward tries to alleviate their fear. I think his words are interesting. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks.” And then he reunites them with Simeon.

When Joseph arrives home, they present him with the gifts Jacob had sent with them—and they bowed down to Joseph, not only once but twice.

When, they ate, they were seated according to their ages, eldest to youngest. When portions were given, Benjamin, Joseph’s brother of his mother, was given 5 times the amount of the others. They feasted, they drank, and they were astonished.

Maybe one of them should have taken a closer look at Joseph—this man they feared, but no one did. We simply don’t see what we don’t expect.

Although their thoughts were on Joseph, they did not recognize him. Fear has a way of hiding many things from us.

—the parishioner who doesn’t do anything