“And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon” (Genesis 43:16).

A good number of important Scriptural events happened at either 12 o’clock noon or 12 o’clock midnight. As we examine the noontime events, may it remind us that He is never early or late. “The Lord is not slack [late] concerning His promise(s)” (II Peter 3:9). The darkness of eternal death was experienced at noon. “Now from the sixth hour [noon] there was darkness over all the land” (Matthew 27:45). Christ paid the penalty for our sin in total darkness—separated from God and man. The light of eternal salvation was experienced at noon. “As I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me” (Acts 22:6). Not only was Paul saved at noon, but so was the woman at the well (John 4:6). Gracious forgiveness was bestowed at noon. The above text relates the story of Joseph who, at a noon-day luncheon, marvelously forgave and restored his brothers to full fellowship. Has not Christ done the same with us? We who were estranged from God have been “made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). Divine judgment fell on the ungodly after noon-day events. The prophets of Baal “called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon. . . . And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them” (I Kings 18:26,27). Following this confrontation, the fire of God consumed Elijah’s sacrifice and the Baal worshippers were slain.

May we ever be reminded that, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation” (II Corinthians 6:2). NPS