The Load of Guilt

The Load of Guilt

Genesis 42:21 (NASB)

21 “Then they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.”

    Imagine the years of heavy guilt borne by Joseph’s brothers. They not only sold their brother into slavery; but they also told their father his beloved son was attacked and eaten by a ravenous beast. Few acts of betrayal were so devious and deliberate. Perhaps their deception brought them a moment of satisfaction—they were angry over Jacob’s favoritism of Joseph—but as the weeks, months, and years passed, the guilt became heavier and harder to bear.

    Finally, in Genesis 42, they confessed their wrongdoing, not knowing Joseph was listening. When they said, “We are truly guilty,” Joseph had to leave the room in tears.

    None of us are without guilt, for we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. We’ve all disobeyed God and hurt other people. What, then, can we do with guilt? We can either bear it ourselves, blame someone else, or nail it to the cross of Christ.

    We also learn that lying sows destruction, but the truth is liberating. The Bible says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). Live under the blood of Christ and above the reproach of the world. Your guilt is no match for His grace.

    John Bunyan “No child of God sins to that degree as to make himself incapable of forgiveness.”