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Joseph’s Brothers’ Distress
What particular remorse-eliciting memory lingered in the minds of Joseph’s brothers? Gen. 42:21. What does that tell us about them?
Guilt is associated with a particular occurrence of the past, sometimes an image or a brief event that tends to be replayed mentally. Other times it takes the form of a flashback image that invades one’s mind or appears in dreams or nightmares. The image of the adolescent Joseph pleading with his older brothers for his life must have come to Jacob’s sons again and again.
How else did guilt affect Joseph’s brothers? Gen. 45:3.
People affected by guilt think on it repeatedly, lamenting the fact that they did what they did, showing fear for the consequence, and entering into self-blame. Such rumination produces much distress, frustration, and anger at oneself for not having done differently. Unfortunately, no matter how much time is devoted to recalling those thoughts, the past will remain unchanged. Repentance and forgiveness are required. Joseph’s noble character emerges, and he offers forgiveness and encourages them to stop being angry at themselves. He assures them that the occurrence of events had to do with God’s design to save many lives. The fact that God was able to use their evil action for good doesn’t, however, change the fact that they were guilty of a horrible crime.
How would obeying what’s in these verses help us deal with guilt? James 5:16, 1 John 1:9.
All sins bring pain to the sinner and to God. Many sins also involve other people. Each corner of the triangle (God—Others—Me) needs to be worked out in order to bring a resolution to past wrongdoings. John tells us that God is prepared to forgive and to purify us from unrighteousness. In addition, James tells us to confess sins to each other; we should do this, especially to those whom we’ve wronged.
Humble confession is the only way to free oneself from guilt. “Your sins may be as mountains before you; but if you humble your heart and confess your sins, trusting in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, He will forgive and will cleanse you from all unrighteousness. . . . [The work of His righteousness] is peace, and its effect quietness and assurance forever.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 566. What do you need to confess in order to experience the promises here?
| MONDAY | January 24 |
What particular remorse-eliciting memory lingered in the minds of Joseph’s brothers? Gen. 42:21. What does that tell us about them?
Guilt is associated with a particular occurrence of the past, sometimes an image or a brief event that tends to be replayed mentally. Other times it takes the form of a flashback image that invades one’s mind or appears in dreams or nightmares. The image of the adolescent Joseph pleading with his older brothers for his life must have come to Jacob’s sons again and again.
How else did guilt affect Joseph’s brothers? Gen. 45:3.
People affected by guilt think on it repeatedly, lamenting the fact that they did what they did, showing fear for the consequence, and entering into self-blame. Such rumination produces much distress, frustration, and anger at oneself for not having done differently. Unfortunately, no matter how much time is devoted to recalling those thoughts, the past will remain unchanged. Repentance and forgiveness are required. Joseph’s noble character emerges, and he offers forgiveness and encourages them to stop being angry at themselves. He assures them that the occurrence of events had to do with God’s design to save many lives. The fact that God was able to use their evil action for good doesn’t, however, change the fact that they were guilty of a horrible crime.
How would obeying what’s in these verses help us deal with guilt? James 5:16, 1 John 1:9.
All sins bring pain to the sinner and to God. Many sins also involve other people. Each corner of the triangle (God—Others—Me) needs to be worked out in order to bring a resolution to past wrongdoings. John tells us that God is prepared to forgive and to purify us from unrighteousness. In addition, James tells us to confess sins to each other; we should do this, especially to those whom we’ve wronged.
Humble confession is the only way to free oneself from guilt. “Your sins may be as mountains before you; but if you humble your heart and confess your sins, trusting in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, He will forgive and will cleanse you from all unrighteousness. . . . [The work of His righteousness] is peace, and its effect quietness and assurance forever.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 566. What do you need to confess in order to experience the promises here?
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