Listen to our message on your audio player.

“As soon as Joseph appeared before him (Jacob) he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time” (Genesis 46:29b). “Joseph threw himself upon his father and wept over him and kissed him” (Genesis 50:1).

Today is my dad’s birthday. Eugene Clark Weber was born on February 17, 1919 and if he were still on this side of glory we'd be celebrating his 106th birthday. I am very thankful for him and the many life lessons he taught me, mostly by example, since he was a man of few words. I still miss him and am particularly reminded of him at certain times when I do something that we did together.

I also have items I treasure that were his, such as a good number of his tools and the worn pocketknife with a broken blade that he always carried in his pocket before leaving for work. An invaluable skill my dad passed on to me was a common sense in regard to home repairs. That's saved us many thousands of dollars through the years and occasionally it even made me a "hero" in the eyes of Brooksyne when I could check off an important task from her "Honey Do" list.

Last week we studied the prodigal son and saw the deep affection expressed when the lost son returned home, "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him" (Luke 15:20).

This brings to mind the two daily verses which describe the strong expression of emotion that Joseph experienced when he and his father Jacob were reunited after their long separation and then later when Jacob died. The Scriptures record the deep love this father and son had for each other.

Many years earlier Jacob was deceived and led to believe that Joseph had been slain by a wild animal when of course he had actually been sold into slavery by his own siblings. On hearing the report of his death the Scripture records, “Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. ‘No,’ he said, ‘in mourning will I go down to the grave to my son.’ So his father wept for him” (Genesis 37:34,35).

Joseph and his father Jacob were separated for many years, and during that very long period, Jacob thought his son was dead. Today’s first verse captures this unimaginable moment of bliss for both father and son as they reunite; Joseph, now in his prime and Jacob, his aged father: “As soon as Joseph appeared before him he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time”.

Perhaps one of the reasons the adventuresome story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50) captivates us is that emotions are revealed through the entire narrative, including those of his scandalous brothers.

Seventeen years after being reunited with his father, we once again see Joseph’s raw emotions as he is now dealing with the cold, hard truth of his father’s death. (Something we all experience when a loved one dies). What a moving description in our second daily text, “Joseph threw himself upon his father and wept over him and kissed him” (Genesis 50:1).

Today our encouragement to you is simply this. Let those whom you love know it by your words and actions. It may not be as demonstrative as Joseph depending on our background but it's OK if it is! These are the things that matter most. If you err, err on the side of going overboard in expressing your love. I am also quite sure our heavenly Father never wearies of hearing these expressions of love from His children as well!

Be encouraged today! Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources