# 420 Do Not Be Carved

The Book of Genesis

Day 420

 Ge 45:3 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph; does my father still live?" But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence.  4 And Joseph said to his brothers, "Please come near to me." So they came near. Then he said: "I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.  5 "But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.

The bombshell is dropped and Joseph’s brothers couldn’t even answer him! Dismayed is much too mild an English word here. These guys were shaking in their boots. They were terrified!

What would this powerful brother of theirs, who was so grossly wronged by them, do to them now?  Joseph, sensing their fear and anguish, (much like Jesus knows our fear and anguish) invites them to come closer and reassures them, “Do not be grieved.”  

The root Hebrew word here  means “to carve.”“Do not be carved!” It carries with it the idea of affliction or pain. It is great anguish brought on by regret, and this is not the first time these brothers have experienced this type of anguish. This same word was used to describe the brother’s feelings after their sister Dinah was defiled by Shechem!

It is the same word used to describe the Israelites in the days of Nehemiah as they reacted to the long lost Word of God being read to them. Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Levites tried to assure the people as they wept, “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength,” ….”do not be carved!”

This is a powerful word! Do not be anguished! Do not continue to carve yourself or be angry with yourself. Listen to me sinner! You and I have offended God with our sins and we have hurt others along the way, and it is good, even vital, that we feel godly sorrow, (godly carving) over our sins. But we need to get over it as well, believing that God has taken those sins, once confessed and repented of, and tossed them into a place where even He can’t find them! Therefore leap for joy! God has assured you of His forgiveness through surrender to His Son, Jesus Christ.

Do not dwell in your deserved anguish for God has extended undeserved love and mercy to you! This forgiveness is the greatest gift that anyone could ever give you. If you choose to dwell in your anguish, it will rob you of your joy and steal your strength.

Beloved! Do not be carved!