At first a remark. Some of you say perhaps: "Always: 'the Holy Spirit' . It is time for me to hear something else ". Now I have good news for you. Only ten biblestudies more. Circa with number 100 I begin with 'the Congregation', ( the church)
Hold on folks. The end of this group essays is in sight.
Now for an experience on sunday afternoon last.
We had our 'circle'. A circle at ours is a group of -say- 15, of people of our widely spread congregation , living in the same region and helping each other in difficulties, giving 'first aid' in sorrow and illness and that kind of things.
Yolanda had a preamble. Just hear: Yolanda is not a preacher, she is not an elder, she is not a regional leader; so to say she is not anything of that ; she is a housewife, a mistress, no less and no more.
But when she talked and talked, I got always more interest in what she said. ............................. She told about Joseph and his brothers, and more in special about that scene from Genesis 45 , where Joseph makes himself known to his brothers. ( 3).
And Yolanda explained: ............. Joseph was very eager to make himself known to his brothers, but he could only do that, when he was sure, that there was regret and repentance in their hearts.
And in an absolute crucial moment his brother Judah gave him proof of repentance: Juda said: " What can we say to my lord...what can we say.... GOD HAS UNCOVERED YOUR SERVANTS' GUILT". Also look to 42 v 21 for the collective: ( the twelve brothers said): " Surely we are being punished because of our brother . We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen....that is why this distress has come upon us".
And in the words herebefore lay all misery, he and his brothers had experienced, because so many years they had heard their father's lamentations about 'Joseph's death', while they themselves knew, what wa the truth.
And when Joseph heard this argumentation, which was a repentance also, he knew that the time was there. And he made himself known. ....................... And then Yolanda came with the application:
...... The whole Old Testament is to be understood in the light of the New Testament.
Also our dear Lord Jesus is waiting for our repentance and conversion and confession. And only then there is his 'making really known' to us in his forgivance. ................. Oh...Yolanda said more , far more, applicating all these thoughts to herself, but this idea so far was enough for me. I felt it deep in my heart and I knew: "True...very true...in 1975 something was very wrong in my life. For eight years there was so much struggle. I was in those years a look alike of the twelve brothers, I had the same sorrow as Judah. ( Psalm 32 v 3 and further). "When I kept silent My bones washed away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. ..... Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said: ' I will confess my transgressions to the Lord' and you forgave the guilt of my sin....!!!"
In 1983, after eight , hard, 'Judah-years' I confessed to the elders and the sun of Jesus went shining again. .................. Thank you Yolanda, that you brought back this story in my remembrance.
