Do Not Quarrel on the Journey
Note from today’s Bible reading: Genesis 44-47
Joseph’s brothers “were dismayed” when he revealed himself to them (Genesis 45:3). They had sold him into slavery, but now he had been placed by Pharaoh over the land of Egypt, and he alone could provide for them during the famine.
Rather than seeking vengeance for the mistreatment he received, Joseph forgave them and promised to provide them with “the best of the land of Egypt” (Genesis 45:18). So he sent them back to Canaan to bring their father.
Just before they left, Joseph told them, “Do not quarrel on the journey” (Genesis 45:24). When we hear this word (quarrel), we think of people arguing with one another. Yet the Hebrew word denotes the idea of trembling or being afraid. Of course, a lack of peace could provoke arguments and disputes; but Joseph was attempting to reassure his brothers that they had nothing to fear and could go on their way in peace.
The sense of peace we have as Christians should affect how we go about our lives. We have no reason to fear what will come in the future. No matter what happens, our hope in the Lord will be realized. Understanding this, we can avoid unnecessary disputes over things that do not matter.
So do not quarrel on the journey. Instead, let us be thankful to God for the hope that we have when our lives here are over. As we remember this, let us enjoy peace with others who are traveling with us toward the same goal.
Great catch on the Hebrew nuance. The shift from trembling to arguing shows how internal fear becomes external conflict. I've seenthat pattern play out in communities where unprocessed anxiety turns into petty disputes over nothing. Joseph understood that without peace inside, the brothers could never reach their desitination as one family.