25-28 They left Egypt and went back to their father Jacob in Canaan. When they told him, "Joseph is still alive—and he's the ruler over the whole land of Egypt!" he went numb; he couldn't believe his ears. But the more they talked, telling him everything that Joseph had told them and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him back, the blood started to flow again—their father Jacob's spirit revived. Israel said, "I've heard enough—my son Joseph is still alive. I've got to go and see him before I die." (The Message)
What a turn of events Israel has experienced. Suddenly out of the midst of his mourning and fear news comes to him that he would never have expected. The son that he thought was dead is alive! Not only is he alive but he is the second most powerful man in Egypt. All that Israel had thought was true has turned out to be a lie. He had been living as if Joseph was dead but now he finds out that he was alive all those years. What had he missed or let pass by because he didn't know the truth?
You might never get the kind of news that Israel received but maybe there are other messages that might be as life altering as this. What if you were told that you could sing after always believing that you couldn't carry a tune? What if you learned that the parent that left you as a child had always loved you and tried to contact you repeatedly but the message was never given to you? What if you really are beautiful even though the message you received growing up was that you were nothing? What if .... ?
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- Why do you think it was difficult for Israel to believe the message that Joseph was alive?
- When Israel found out that Joseph was alive what do you think he did our thought if / when he learned that his son's had not told him the truth about Joseph?
- Have you ever leaned that something you thought was true has actually been a lie for years?
- What lie about yourself have you grown up with that you need to cast aside as not being true?
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