Don’t Fall Out By the Way (Genesis 45)

Genesis 45:24 24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.

This is a beautiful chapter of reconciliation as Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and as they weep over each other after years of separation. There is shock and fear, then tears and love, and finally great joy.

As the brothers prepare to travel back to Canaan to get their father and their families, Joseph admonishes them to “fall not out by the way.” After such sweet forgiveness and love, it would have been silly for them to go back to bickering, fighting, arguing, and pointing figures at one another.

But no doubt that could have happened on the way back home. They could have started to accuse one another and point the fingers at those who wanted to get rid of Joseph. Others might have tried to absolve themselves of responsibility. But all that was in the past. Joseph had forgiven and forgotten, and so should they.

In similar fashion, it would foolish for us who have been reconciled to Christ and forgiven by Christ to fight, blame, and hold grudges toward each other.  We should be focused on the joy of forgiveness, the provision of God, and the love extended to us in Christ. Why waste time fighting with one another?

Ephesians 4:31–32 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.