There is no Fear in Love

By Venessa Holtzhausen

Gen 45:3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; does my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him, for they were terrified at his presence.

After all the testing and up and down traveling of the brothers, Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers. The Hebrew word used to describe the brothers’ reaction is nivhalu (great fear). The brothers were frightened at this revelation. The text further shows them to be afraid that Joseph might take retribution. (Genesis 50:15,18)

The had reason to be afraid, but the brotherly love of Joseph made no room for retribution. He knew the plan of God and love covered. We should actually also be afraid of our former lives. The love of the Father through Christ covered our sins and even better, took it away.

In verse 26-27 we read that Jacob was stunned at the news. What happened there was that Jacob fainted when he heard the news and then gained consciousness afterward.

After so many years of pain, his whole family was restored. We should be encourage by this, never to loose hope. Trust God, on the right time, He will restore.

Amen!