How Repentance Leads to Blessing
If you grew up in the Church, you may have heard the phrase “repent and believe” - or, depending on your denominational background, perhaps, “repent or burn.”
The word repent, often interpreted as admission of guilt, carries so much more meaning than meets the eye. It’s a crucial word to fully understand and a more crucial practice to live by for anyone who would pursue a Gospel-centered life. I’ve found the study of Joseph is a well of wisdom on the subject, as it not only illustrates the meaning of repentance, but how it ultimately can lead to blessing.
In Genesis 44, we see Joseph, whose identity is still not yet revealed, put his brothers to the test by sneaking his cup into Benjamin’s bag. When his servant confronts the brothers as they are departing Egypt, we see something incredible. Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and framed for a crime he did not commit, now turns the entire narrative around.
It’s his brothers who are being framed, specifically their youngest, Benjamin. Not knowing this was a setup, their responses show what true hearts of repentance look like. Despite the servant’s command that only the guilty brother would be kept behind, they insisted on returning with him. Then Judah steps forward as a leader, begging to take his brother’s place in the punishment.
This is not merely an apology or an acknowledgement of sin. It is a complete turning from sin. Whereas before, Judah and his brothers were dishonest and plotted against the youngest brother, now Judah has committed to being his youngest brother’s keeper. He is willing to sacrifice himself for a punishment his brother supposedly deserves. His character has done a 180. He’s a new man.
What Joseph does next echoes God’s own heart and how the Lord responds to repentance. While all this is happening, we see Joseph bursting at the seams to reconcile with his brothers (see 43:30). He wanted fellowship with them and to bless them with the riches he had acquired. But that was not possible without repentance on their part. He could not let in the same men who nearly had him killed and sought to ruin his life. But rather than write them off, he made a way for them to right their wrongs and, most importantly, show evidence of changed hearts.
When they passed his test with flying colors, Joseph couldn’t hold it in anymore. We see in Chapter 45 the outpouring of what he had been withholding in hopes that that very moment would arrive. And when Pharaoh gave him the go-ahead to send wagons with the brothers back home and bring their father to enjoy the riches of the land, he couldnot pass along that blessing quickly enough.
This illustrates a key component of God’s character. His mercy is not merely so we may receive forgiveness and be fixed. He has abundant, eternal blessings stored up for His children and is eager to give them. Jesus says in John 10:10, “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance”.
It can be hard to admit guilt. It can be even harder to permanently change behavior. But we are given the power to do so by the Holy Spirit. And when our pleas for forgiveness are followed by turning away from our rebellion, we open ourselves to God’s blessings as the walls of hostility that sin created are torn down and expose us to a Father who deeply desires an intimate relationship with His created.
God’s mercy and grace should not burden us, but free us.
What behavior or desire is hindering your relationship with the Father? What would it look like if you turned from it today?
Personally, I take heart in reminding myself that my repentance is the greatest gift I can offer Him. One of my favorite verses, Psalm 51:17, says, “The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.”
~ Jared Grenfell and his wife Grace have have been active members of the LIFE Fellowship community for several years. Jared has served in various roles on the LIFE Worship team including Music Director.