During a bible study in early June of 2024, we studied the above scripture in conjunction with a book called “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” by Peter Scazzero. It was during this time when we were presented with a question…
Why did Joseph weep in verse 17?
We had an array of answers ranging from, “he was overcome with emotion because of all that he had been through”, “he was saddened that his brothers were still lying to him”, “he wept because he knew that God’s purposes were the reason”, “he still had love for all of his brothers”, and lastly, the one that I want to focus on here…
“Joseph wept when his brothers were pleading for forgiveness because it hurt him to realize that his brothers still did not realize the heart and love that he had for them.”
This explanation sparked many thoughts within me. Being that the Bible is a big love letter from God to man and in many ways is a mirror that reflects the reader to himself and God’s heart to the reader, I came to view that scripture in a different light.
Throughout the Bible we see Jesus in various forms such as Melchizedek with Abraham, The angel that wrestled with Jacob, and The burning bush with Moses.
We also tend to see the heart of God displayed in His judgment for sin, His mercy for His people, His protection for His people, and His rewarding of His people.
I wonder now though if verse 17 doesn’t show another aspect of the Heart of God through the person of Joseph. Could it be that just as Joseph wept when his brothers didn’t recognize the love and compassion he had for them, God also weeps when we mischaracterize and do not recognize the love and compassion He has for us through His son Jesus?
Earlier in chapters 44 and 45, Joseph first tested his brothers, then he came clean and showed them that he indeed was Joseph and that he was still alive. The Word of God states that when he did this, he was overcome with emotion, so much so that the Egyptians and pharaoh’s household heard it.
He didn’t stop there either, he gathered his family and had them come move closer, gain land, food, and were protected from the famine that was still raging on.
He also told his brothers to not be afraid or angry with themselves, because he recognized that God had done this to preserve the people including his family.
Fast forward back to chapter 50 verse 17, the brothers still hadn’t come to realize the love that Joseph had for them and how he held no ill will towards them. So when they came up with this story of his father telling him to forgive them, his heart was probably broken.
How much more does God’s heart break when we struggle to understand the deep love that He has shown to us all through the sacrifice of His son Jesus.
Personally, this made me sad. I should not struggle with knowing and believing the love that God has for me, regardless of my testimony and the things that have happened in my life. If anything, those moments clearly display God’s intent to love me and never leave nor forsake me. All throughout the word God echoes the words that Joseph spoke to his brothers: “Don’t be afraid”.
Yet how many times when we do something wrong or feel as though we aren’t living up to the standard, do we question God’s love for us? How many times do we beg and plead for forgiveness when God’s word says that we have already been forgiven by the ONCE and FOR ALL sacrifice of Jesus? How heartbreaking it must be for the Father of all creation, to see the ones He died for, question and struggle to understand His love.
It is a process though for sure, even the writer of 1 John realized this when he penned:
My prayer for myself and for anyone reading this is this:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for showing us your heart. You desire for us to KNOW and to BELIEVE the love that you have for us, in and through your son Jesus. Help us to understand and stand in confidence of your love so as to not cause you to weep or grieve.
Help us to be firm, to not doubt, and to not be afraid. Your word says that fear has to do with torment and he who fears has not been perfected in love. So perfect us in your love, and help us to abide in you so that we may spread that love to others and be fully convinced of your goodness.
Father, we thank you for helping us in these areas and we receive your love with excitement.
In Jesus’ mighty name we pray!
Amen!