Why did Joseph utter this solemn warning to his brethren, so recently restored to full and happy fellowship? He knew their hearts and knew well the spirit of jealousy and pride which had motivated their treatment of him. In spite of their restoration, Joseph realized that that same wicked spirit—in spite of all their blessings—could break out against each other during the journey to Goshen.
A Sad History
They had hated Joseph—but he loved them.
They were jealous of him—he sought their welfare.
They conspired to kill him—he spared their lives.
They sold him as a slave—he freely restored their liberty, giving them food, money and clothing.
They took from him the beautiful coat that his father had made for him—he gave them Goshen, the best of the land of Egypt.
They sat down to eat and take their ease—he suffered thirst and grief in the pit and the prison.
They lied to their father about their awful deed—he confessed them as his brethren before Pharaoh.
The brothers took—Joseph gave.
There could only be one appropriate response to such kindness—walking together in love and unity.
A Stern Warning
Now they are about to leave Joseph’s presence to bring their father Jacob and their families down to him in Egypt. Joseph provided them the power to come (Pharaoh’s wagons), full provisions for the way (clothing, silver, food and asses laden with good things), and a promise of the best of Egypt awaiting them (the good of the land). All this make his last words of warning to them very solemn: “See that ye fall not out by the way.”
What Kind of Journey?
The brothers had a very serious decision to make. They could decide to enjoy Joseph’s bountiful and gracious gifts—they could choose to speak of his love while enjoying happy fellowship together, or they could decide to argue about which of them was most guilty or most repentant. They could choose to spend their journey trying to set each other right and, in doing so, lose harmony and peace.
The Word of God does not record what choice they made. But the tender meeting between Jacob and his beloved Joseph (Gen. 46:29) seems to suggest that they made that trip without fighting.
“Written for Our Learning”
This account has been “written for our learning” (Rom. 15:4), that we—Christ’s brethren (Heb. 2:12)—might walk together in love, enjoying peace on our way to the Father’s house (John 14:14).
Is such a thing possible? The Bible answers. “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor” (Eph. 5:12).
Divine Provisions for Christians
None have been given more than the children of God. “His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).
No other people have been more blessed. “The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3; see also Rom. 6:23; 8:32; Eph. 3:20; 1 Peter 4:11).
No other people are more loved. “As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love” (John 15:9; see also John 17:23; Rom. 5:5; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 5:25).
No other people have access to greater power. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). “Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power” (Col. 1:11; see also Heb. 4:16; Phil. 3:10; Col. 2:10; 2 Tim. 1:7).
No other people have recourse to such unlimited wealth. “But my God shall abundantly supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19 JND; see also Eph. 2:7; 3:8; Col. 1:27). Having provided all these blessings, God has faithfully warned His dear children, like Joseph’s brethren of old: “See that ye fall not out by the way.”
A Right Thing - a Wrong Spirit
What has been the response of the church to His command to walk in love and peace with one another? For the past 2000 years it has been torn by pride, bitterness and contention—far more than any mere earthly society, nation or government.
With angry spirits, believers, in the name of faithfulness to Christ, have waged war with each other, rather than waging war with the enemy.
With chafed spirits, the truth of God has been defended—rather than spoken “in love” (Eph. 4:15).
With demanding spirits, the Word of God has been used as a sword against the weak brother “for whom Christ died” (1 Cor. 8:11) rather than being used as “the sword of the Spirit” against “spiritual power of wickedness in the heavenlies” (Eph. 6:12-17 JND).
Though frequently warned that a right thing can be done in a wrong spirit, we sadly must admit that this very thing has repeatedly happened. While rightly desiring to never give up the divine truth which we have received (Prov. 23:23; 1 Tim. 3:15; Rev. 3:11), let us never excuse an ungracious, provoked spirit towards our brethren by pleading faithfulness to Christ.
Bearing and Forbearing
Whatever spiritual circumstances may exist, divine testimony is clear. The Lord desires that love, forbearance and grace be shown, even as we seek to hold fast and support the precious truth of God.
The Lord Jesus Christ personally bore in grace with every kind of insult, unbelief and mockery, yet “when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:23). He who maintained the truth of God in perfection, when hanging on that awful cross, cries out, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Those who wanted to cast Him over the hill also wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of the mouth (Luke 4:22) of Him who was “full of grace and truth.”
Paul taught the Romans to “follow after the things which make for peace.” He told the Corinthians that God has “called us to peace.” He reminded the Galatians that peace, long-suffering and gentleness are some of the blessed fruits of the Spirit. He besought two sisters—Euodias and Syntyche—to “be of the same mind in the Lord.” He directed the Thessalonians to “be at peace among” themselves. How this dear servant of Christ—who faithfully defended the truth he taught—longed that brethren might dwell together in the unity, love and peace of that truth!
“Ye Know Not What Manner of Spirit Ye Are of”
When the tribe of Benjamin defended and protected the wicked deed of the men of Gibeah, the holiness of Jehovah demanded vindication. But Israel’s angry spirit against their erring brother’s wickedness (“Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin?”—Judg. 20:18) was solemnly and painfully dealt with first (see Judg. 19-21).
May we take to heart the rebuke our blessed Lord Jesus gave to His dear disciples in Luke 9:55. Oh! that we might always deal with our brethren in Christ with a soft spirit and in godly fear and trembling. Let us not fall out by the way with each other.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psa. 133:1).
Ed.