Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Dealing with Guilt

“God has uncovered your servants’ guilt.” Genesis 44v16

We continue to follow the Hope Bible Reading chat with Joseph’s brothers struggling with guilt.

You may recall that, out of jealousy, the Joseph’s brothers had decided to kill him, but then relented and merely sold him as a slave. They told their father they had found Joseph’s coat with blood on it and pretended he must have been killed by an animal. In this, they had caused their father much grief and made him much more protective of his youngest son Benjamin.

Now they meet Joseph in Egypt. It becomes clear that for the last 22 years, the brothers had concealed their sin from others, but it remained an open wound in their hearts. As a result, they were interpreting situations in the light of their guilt. And so they speak today’s verse about themselves, “God has uncovered your servant’s guilt” and in Genesis 42v21 “Surely we are being punished because of our brother”.

On the other hand, Joseph has had the opportunity in Egypt to receive healing for the harsh way he was treated. While he tests his brothers’ attitudes, he does not repay them what they did to him. Rather he treats them graciously because he has recognised that, “It was not you who sent me here, but God.” (45v8) and later, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good … I will provide for you and your children.” (50v20)

Yet, despite Joseph’s grace towards them, the underlying guilt is still nagging away at them. And so, they continue to anticipate revenge from Joseph (50v15). Their expectation of Joseph’s attitude is not based on his character, but on their guilt.

We have much better news! Jesus has the power to take away all our sin and guilt. He can make your heart completely clean so that we no longer operate under the cloud of guilt, but under the rays of grace and forgiveness. What guilt continues to hang over your life? Maybe today, you need to lay it bare before God and meditate on the powerful Word of God which says:

  • “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1v9) and again,
  • “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103v12), and again,
  • “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8v1).
  • “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience.” (Hebrews 10v22)

Let God’s Word be medicine to your soul!

With love and blessing,

Roland