If you do not ‘speed-read’ through Scripture, you will often encounter moments of humour or innuendo that catch your attention or leave you pondering.
One such example is found in Genesis 45, where Joseph sends his brothers back to Canaan after revealing his identity. This passage is intensely rich with emotion, spiritual insight, and profound lessons in grace. After a tearful and emotional reunion, Joseph says something unexpected to his brothers: “Do not quarrel on the way” (Genesis 45:24, ESV). I would love to have heard their conversation on the way home after such a remarkable encounter!
Unpacking the Deeper Meaning
On the surface, this seems almost trivial considering the magnitude of what has just occurred. The backdrop to the story is that Joseph, once sold into slavery by these very brothers, is now second only to Pharaoh in Egypt and has chosen to forgive them, offering life instead of vengeance. So, why does Joseph, in this moment of reconciliation and relief, feel it necessary to tell them not to argue on their journey home? As we ponder this scene, we uncover layers of human nature, divine grace, and the way God meets us in our frailties—there is no room for a blame culture, as we shall see.
At first glance, Joseph’s admonition might seem like the voice of wisdom and reason, aware that old wounds and buried resentments could easily resurface in the aftermath of their discovery. His brothers have just experienced an intense mix of fear, shame, and relief, with emotions running high. During their encounter, they must have felt the sting of their past sins, the heavy guilt of their betrayal, and perhaps even envy for the heights Joseph had attained despite their attempts to bring him down. They were all culpable, some more than others. As they prepared to return home with the incredible news that Joseph was alive and that the family was invited to dwell in the prosperity of Egypt, Joseph recognised the immense potential for discord.
Imagine the conversation that could have unfolded among the brothers as they left Egypt. Reuben might have forcefully reminded them that he alone had initially tried to rescue Joseph when they threw him into the pit (Genesis 37:21-22). Judah might also have felt defensive, knowing he was the one who suggested selling Joseph to the Ishmaelites (Genesis 37:26-27). The others might have been tempted to deflect blame or justify their actions. Amidst these swirling emotions, the temptation to argue, assign blame, and revisit old grievances would have been powerful. Perhaps it is with that in mind that Joseph’s words speak directly into this fragile moment, cutting through their old patterns of division: “Do not quarrel on the way.”
Grace Interrupting Old Patterns
This instruction from Joseph isn’t merely about avoiding petty disputes; it’s an invitation to move forward in unity. By telling them not to quarrel, Joseph subtly calls them to let go of the past, to forgive one another as he has forgiven them, and to focus on the grace they’ve been shown rather than their former failures. He’s also inviting them to walk in the new reality of reconciliation, not to drag the weight of old bitterness into the fresh start that God is offering them. While their intent was malicious and evil, God meant it for good. The reason they had food in that season was because God used their actions in the past—God was working in providential power despite their moral failings!
This same call echoes throughout Scripture, where grace urges us to step out of cycles of recrimination and into the freedom of forgiveness. Elsewhere, the disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24 provide a compelling parallel. Like Joseph’s brothers, they too are on a journey marked by confusion, sorrow, and unmet expectations. They are consumed by grief and bewilderment, struggling to make sense of the events surrounding Jesus’ death. As they walk, they debate, trying to clarify their thoughts and emotions and process their shattered hopes (Luke 24:17). Their sorrow blinds them to the truth that Jesus is actually walking right alongside them. Just as Joseph’s brothers needed a new perspective, these disciples needed their eyes opened to the deeper reality of what God was doing.
Turning the lights on!
When Jesus appears to them, he doesn’t immediately reveal himself. Instead, he listens to their confusion and gently rebukes their slowness to believe all that the prophets had spoken (Luke 24:25-27). Yet, even in this rebuke, there is great grace. Rather than allowing their doubts and misunderstandings to push them further into despair, Jesus takes time to explain the Scriptures to them, unveiling how all of it pointed to the Messiah’s suffering and glory. Their journey transforms from one of confusion and discord to one of revelation and joy as their hearts burn within them at his words (Luke 24:32). The moment they recognise Jesus, the lights turn on—their perspective is entirely renewed, and they excitedly rush back to Jerusalem, no longer arguing or questioning, but eager to share the good news.
You might be wondering what the thread is that ties these two stories together. It is the way grace meets people in their journeys. Whether it’s Joseph’s brothers returning to Canaan or the disciples walking to Emmaus, the message is clear: grace not only forgives but also transforms. Grace doesn’t leave us wallowing in guilt or lost in confusion; it points us forward, inviting us to walk in the light of a new reality where past sins no longer define us and where misunderstandings are replaced by revelation.
A work in process…
Joseph’s statement, “Do not quarrel on the way,” can be seen as a call to live out the grace they’ve been given. Joseph could have easily chosen to use his power to condemn his brothers, to remind them of every wrong they had done, and to force them into a posture of lifelong penance. But instead, he freely forgives and offers them a new identity as honoured guests in Egypt. He offers them the chance to be defined not by their betrayal but by the mercy they have received. Yet for that new identity to fully take root, they must leave behind the patterns of blame and rivalry that have marked their family history. Joseph knows that embracing this grace requires more than just accepting forgiveness; it requires a transformation in the way they relate to one another. That’s key for us too—we’ve been changed and transformed, but it’s not an overnight process; it’s the work of the Spirit in our hearts and lives.
The disciples on the road to Emmaus experienced a similar shift. Their encounter with the risen Christ moved them from sorrow and confusion to clarity and joy. Once they understood who Jesus was and what his death and resurrection meant, their perspective changed. No longer were they consumed with doubt and argument; they were united in the message of the resurrection, eager to spread the good news to the other disciples. The grace they encountered in Christ reshaped their journey from one of defeat to one of purpose.
In both stories, grace calls us beyond the natural human tendency to fixate on our past failures or the failures of others. Whether it’s the blame-shifting and rivalry of Joseph’s brothers or the despair and confusion of the Emmaus disciples, the message is that grace interrupts these cycles and invites us into something new. The journey from guilt to grace, from confusion to revelation, is marked by the choice to leave behind the old ways of thinking and to step into the freedom that forgiveness brings.
The Call to Unity and Transformation
For us, Joseph’s admonition not to quarrel “on the way” is just as relevant. As Christians, we are all on a journey, walking out our faith together (and it’s never a personal thing!). Along the way, we encounter moments when old wounds resurface, when differences of opinion lead to division, and when the temptation to rehash past wrongs hinders our unity. In these moments, Joseph’s words remind us that grace is not just a one-time gift but an ongoing call to live differently. We are invited to move forward without letting the baggage of past hurts dictate our interactions. Just as Joseph’s brothers were called to journey home in unity, and just as the disciples were called to spread the good news in the unity of understanding, we too are called to walk in forgiveness and harmony, focusing on the grace we’ve been shown rather than the grievances we could hold onto.
The grace of God doesn’t just forgive; it restores relationships, brings clarity where there was once confusion, and unites where there was once division. Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers is a picture of the extravagant grace that we see fully revealed in Christ. Jesus, like Joseph, had every right to condemn us for our sins, but instead, he chose to forgive and restore us. He doesn’t merely wipe the slate clean; he offers us a place in his family, giving us a future filled with hope. He doesn’t keep reminding us of our failures or shortcomings. As with Joseph’s brothers, embracing that grace that is extended to us requires us to let go of the old ways of thinking and relating. It calls us to resist the temptation to revisit old grievances or to let differences breed division. Instead, we are invited to walk together in the unity of the Spirit, keeping our eyes fixed on the greater story that God is writing.
Transformed by grace
In a world where arguments, divisions, and grudges are all too common, the call to “not quarrel on the way” is a refreshing reminder that grace has the power to reshape our journeys. It’s a brilliant message for the church—don’t argue on the way! When we focus on the grace we’ve received rather than on the wrongs we’ve endured or the mistakes we’ve made, we can walk in the kind of unity that reflects the heart of God. As we journey through life, it’s not enough to simply receive grace; we must also let that grace transform how we relate to one another and when we do, our journeys become testimonies of reconciliation and hope, pointing others to the transforming power of the grace we’ve found in Christ.
In this way, the stories of Joseph’s brothers and the Emmaus disciples converge. Both groups encountered grace that called them to move beyond past failures and current misunderstandings into a future marked by reconciliation and shared purpose.
The same grace calls us to live as people who are no longer defined by our mistakes or our conflicts but by the mercy and love that have been lavished upon us.
