Can We Talk? - Reconciliation

“Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept, and afterward his brothers talked with him.” (Genesis 45:15, CSB)

Many years ago, I was engaged in a fun conversation over fresh cups of hot coffee with my friend. He was a very smart guy with multiple degrees. I actually don’t remember exactly all that we were talking about, but, given both of our propensities, it surely included politics.

We were deep into the complexities of international relations and the challenge of world leaders not only getting along, but abandoning some of their temptations to press red buttons and vaporize one another. As an antidote to mutual nuclear annihilation, I said something about the power of strong human relationships to avoid catastrophe, especially if they can be navigated in person. Presidents and prime ministers sitting down, eye to eye. Diplomats and dictators, face to face. When they’re willing and humble enough to do this, things change. Lives are saved. Literally. My friend smiled and nodded.

Our conversation reminded me of one of my favorite Bible stories. It’s about Joseph and his brothers. It’s about reconciliation. Face to face. Man to man. For me, this story is wonderful, up there with David, Goliath, Stephen, and the courageous Daniel being saved from becoming a late-night snack for a pride of lions.

This tale of Joseph is the much-loved account revealing the power of relationships—especially healed ones. It’s the narrative we find in Genesis 45. Even if you didn’t grow up in church, you still may know a little something about this guy, Jacob’s most revered son.

In short, Joseph had eleven brothers. As a young man, he said some really foolish and prideful things, creating enmity in his family. So much so, that his brothers, having had enough of their young sibling’s haughtiness, conspired to kill him. Some serious tension around the dinner table. Right?

The verse above from Genesis 45 is one that often brings a lump to my throat. After decades of separation and hard feelings, the brothers meet. The location for this rendezvous is Egypt, where Joseph has risen through the ranks to becoming vice-chair of the whole nation. His brothers, living at the time in Canaan, are desperate. Their resources had been consumed. They were starving, completely out of options. The family meeting that these verses describe peels back layers of anger, distrust, misunderstanding, fear, and resentment. These grown men embrace, weep, and the most important of all, they talk.

In this space, they reconcile.

How powerful is this?

Now, can we talk? Just you and me?

I’m going to get very personal with you. I’m humbly hoping this is okay. As you scan the many relationships you have had over the years, how many are still broken today? None? One? A few? Lots? Too many to count?

If you can, take a minute and narrow down your thinking to just one person who might fit this description. One man. A member of your family? Someone you may have known long ago? Or a more recent acquaintance? Do you have him in view? Good. How was the breach with him born and how long has it been going on? Your answer may range from one cross word you spoke yesterday all the way to decades of holding a grudge. And now another important question: If your answer is “yes,” to a broken relationship, what are you going to do about it?

In the next couple days, if you’ll let me, I’m going to suggest a few very simple things to pull you out of the malaise. To free you from the tweak that happens in your gut when this person’s name comes up.

Are you there?

Good.

We’re going to process this. Together. First, can I invite you to pray with me?

“Lord, I pray for my friend, reading these words. I pray that, somehow in your providence, You would nudge both of us with the assurance of Your presence in this conversation. And Your love. We welcome You. And promise You that when we hear You speak, we will listen. Amen.”