Day 24: Tears of Joy

 Today's reading: Genesis 45-46, Job 37-38, and Proverbs 4:20-27.

I. Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, who are at first afraid, given what they did to him, but are reassured by Joseph, who embraces them and calls on them to bring his father Jacob/Israel (45:1-15). Pharaoh hears about Joseph's brothers and is pleased, telling him to bring all his family and commands wagons to be sent to bring them to Egypt (45:16-24). Upon returning to Canaan and telling their father, Jacob/Israel doesn't at first believe them, but the wagons from Pharaoh help convince him, and he rejoices (45:25-28). Curiously, he must have had a change of heart or a moment of fear, because God appears to him at the beginning of the next chapter to reassure him (46:1-4). In fact, this is the last such theophany before Moses, as the Ignatius Bible notes:

The final appearance of Yahweh to the Patriarchs as noted in Scripture. Not until Moses crouches before the burning bush, over 400 years later, will another Israelite encounter the voice and presence of God in this remarkable way (Ex 3:1-22). The promise made to Jacob on this occasion - that the Lord will be with him and bring him back to Canaan - recalls the similar promise made on the eve of his first departure from Canaan in 28:15. (p. 114)

Nice to see such a dysfunctional family, from modern standards at least, come back together. 

II. Elihu finishes his third speech, about the greatness of God and how fear of Him is the beginning of true wisdom. I like this note from the Ignatius Bible:

Elihu contends that God cannot be prosecuted by men since he cannot be adequately investigated by their finite minds. The comment is aimed at Job, who has signed a declaration of innocence and summoned the Lord to appear in court with an indictment written up against him (31:35). (p. 820)

I've mentioned it before, but this reminds me of the gripping 2008 film "God on Trial," where men in the grip of evil with finite understanding react with raw emotion, especially in this scene:

Then comes one of the best parts of the Book of Job. The Lord responds to Job, beginning in chapter 38. I have heard some criticize this as arrogance or just be generally negative towards it, but to me, it reminds me of my limitations that I am finite, while He is infinite. I don't have all the facts, nor would I understand them if I did, for I don't even understand all that I am privy to in this life. It's an in-your-face, matter-of-fact response that we have to trust God even in the worst of times. Now, I am just as frail as everyone else and struggle with this myself, but I do recognize this. The Ignatius Bible comments on this:

Finally reveals himself to Job and speaks to him directly. This comes after Job has sworn several oaths of innocence (27:1-6; 31:5-40) and demanded: "let the Almighty answer me!" (31:35)... God reveals Job's ignorance and weakness rather than his innocence. Using a series of rhetorical questions, the speeches are designed to induce humility in Job and to give him a right perspective on the wisdom and power of God. The need to vindicate God first, even before vindicating Job, was made necessary when Job justified himself (32:2) rather than God (40:8). It is only after the Lord clears himself of criminal charges that Job is declared to be in the "right" (42:7) (CCC 223, 300). (p. 821) 

III. Chapter 4 of Proverbs finishes with verses 20-27, wherein we find the father's final plea for his son to follow his words, remain righteous, and to "turn your foot away from evil."

That's all for today.