We are in chapter 45 of Genesis with our word for today. בָּהַל be horrified, to tremble, to be out of one’s senses, to be in trepidation, be terrified, confounded, make haste. It is used 37 times in the Old Testament. We see it used to describe part of what Job was experiencing in the sense of shock. Job 4:5 But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are וַתִּבָּהֵֽלdismayed. Job 21:6 When I think about this, I am וְנִבְהָ֑לְתִּי terrified; trembling seizes my body. We also see the predicted fall of Babylon by Jeremiah using this word because no one would ever think this could happen. Jeremiah 51:31-32 One courier follows another and messenger follows messenger to announce to the king of Babylon that his entire city is captured, the river crossings seized, the marshes set on fire, and the soldiers are in נִבְהָֽלוּ panic.
This is the sense of how our word is used today in our chapter. Genesis 45:3-4 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were נִבְהֲל֖וּ dismayed at his presence. So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. I would think a mixture of shock and panic would be a great way to describe what Joseph’s brothers were feeling at this moment which our word contains both of these elements. God allowed Joseph’s brothers to come to the place where they are not in control of what is going on any more. When we face this in our lives we can feel both shock and panic at the same time. People throughout the Bible have experienced this when faced by God himself or the unmovable events that God orchestrates. God does this to open up our hearts to him if we have closed ourselves off to him or to protect us against those who have hardened their hearts to him and would do us harm. Psalm 83:17-18 Let them be put to shame and וְיִבָּהֲל֥וּ dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace, that they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth. We see David call on God for his protection and praise him for causing his enemies to experience this. Psalm 6:10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly וְיִבָּהֲל֣וּ troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment. I’ll close with this great passage that encourages us that God is in control and working in love for us to benefit our lives regardless of how big of challenges we may be facing. Psalm 2:1-6 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger and יְבַהֲלֵֽמוֹ terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”
