Day 31

Joseph Reveals His Identity

from the reading plan


Genesis 43:1-34, Genesis 44:1-34, Genesis 45:1-28, Joel 2:13, James 1:12


I’ve always loved reading. During the summers when I was a kid, my dad would drop me off at the local library, and I’d spend hours finding books and reading. The best times, though, were when my mom went grocery shopping because she’d let me go to the store next door and buy a new Hardy Boys book. Hands down, those were my favorites. Working through those mysteries with Frank and Joe allowed me to go on adventures I never would have imagined. I met new people and visited new places. But the best part of all was when they finally solved the crime and revealed the bad guys. I felt like I was part of the team! I still appreciate a good twist in a story—and a good reveal at the end.

That’s one thing that makes Joseph’s story so powerful. After years of struggle in Egypt, Joseph finally found his footing. Through faith in God, he rose to become the second most powerful man in the world’s most powerful empire. That alone is the stuff of a great novel!

But add the plot twist of his brothers showing up, and things get even more interesting. Given the chance to exact revenge on the men who had caused him so much pain, Joseph chose grace. And when he revealed himself to his brothers, the trajectory of an entire nation changed in a heartbeat.

Honestly, if I’d been in Joseph’s sandals, I probably wouldn’t have been so gracious. I’m pretty sure I would have dropped the hammer. My darker instincts might have won out—at least until I’d made them suffer a little bit.

But Joseph could claim the moral high ground because he recognized God’s hand at work in his life. Whether things were great or gruesome, he always found a way to plug into God’s bigger picture. That’s why he could honestly tell his brothers, “it was not you who sent me here, but God” (Genesis 45:8). His big reveal was just another example of God revealing Himself in a powerful way.

As believers, God leads us through difficult situations—not as punishment, but as a way of seeing more of Him and to shape our character as we become more like Him. Centuries after Joseph’s day, James wrote, “Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). There’s a real reward for trusting the Lord like Joseph did.

Our challenges give us the chance to reveal who we really are—and point the world toward the One we really trust.

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