Then they said to one another, "We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us." And Reuben answered them, saying, "Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us."
The Lord makes us bow to Him, confessing our sins. Reuben said, “We are truly guilty... therefore this distress has come upon us”. We cannot bow to Him acceptably, unless we are filthy sinners, depending on His mercy. We must be so bad that only election could save us – He must choose us in spite of sin. We must be sinful enough that only Christ's death can cleanse us. And, we must be so miserably wicked that only the Spirit can produce obedience. Only WRETCHED sinners really bow to the Christ who delights in mercy, and He will not commune peaceably with any human on any other terms. He cannot be loved as an Example only. He must be a Savior who came to die, for He shed His blood for a reason, and He will never receive us nor accept our bowing, until we bow to Him to fix our sins, reconcile us to God, and make us right by obedience.
Secondly, all things are for you and me, not against. Jacob said, “You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me” (Gen 42:36). He didn't see that Joseph was exalted to the throne, Simeon was safe under his care, and Benjamin was being brought to meet his brother, so that all the family could be saved. He saw the misery, but not the mercy. He saw JUSTICE in his afflictions, but he couldn't see the justness of God who only does good to those who love Him.
We have painful “no's” from God, but they're for our good. We have repercussions because of sin, but they're to drive US and others to Jesus Christ. Romans 8:28-29 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren”. We will look upon this life, after we're in heaven, and BLESS God for every FAILURE that He forgave. We'll give Him mighty praises for every success and obedient inclination, as our good works follow us to bliss (Rev 14:13). We will see that Christ is RIGHT in all that He has done, and the love that sent the Savior has ordained all things to work together for good to all who love Him. He can't DIE in your place, and then be part love and part hate. The fact He chose you and me to salvation DECLARES that His every intent... all that He does in misery and mercy... is for you.
Thirdly, the Lord Jesus is the surety, or the One responsible for saving the sheep. Judah pictures Christ saying, “I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever” (Gen 43:9). The Father intrusted us to Jesus Christ, and He must SAVE us or bear the blame. And, because He is EXALTED on high with all power, we know that His blood conquers sin, brings in righteousness, and we can be sure that all obedience is freely and assuredly given. If Christ is responsible for me, then I will obey, overcome, and endure to the end.
Lastly, let the gospel excite hope in you. Look into the love of God, confess your sins as sinful, and know there is no condemnation. Believe in hope, in spite of the pain that you experience. Believe He has afflicted rightfully, so that He may graciously and wisely comfort. Believe the Son has EARNED all that you need – the Spirit, the power, the obedience.
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