This is week seven’s message from the nine-week series “Joseph – What God Intended For Good” that focuses on the life of Joseph and his family as authored by Moses in Genesis.
Last week, we learned how Joseph fulfilled Pharaoh’s trust in him. This week, we will
Message
The story in a nutshell. First Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. He came to be in charge of his master’s (Potiphar) household in Egypt until he was falsely accused of assaulting his master’s wife – for which he was thrown into prison. While in prison, he accurately interpreted the dreams of two fellow inmates. One of the inmates (the cupbearer) was restored to Pharaoh’s service and two years later mentioned Joseph to Pharaoh when Pharaoh had two dreams that needed to be interpreted. Joseph was then brought before him and with God’s help interpreted the dreams. Joseph was then put in charge of Egypt and carried out his plan to prevent starvation for the Egyptians and the rest of the world during a seven-year famine. The story now unfolds with Joseph’s brothers coming to Egypt for food so that their family could survive.
Read Genesis 45
This chapter is all about forgiveness.
Let’s begin by answering this question.
When we have the opportunity to forgive others, we…..
a. avoid the issue.
b. make sure they know how badly we have been hurt.
c. feel relieved to get it resolved.
d. enjoy getting back together.
e. other…..
The problem with forgiveness is that it usually doesn’t come easy, especially when we are hurt deeply by a family member or someone close to us. Yet we are commanded to forgive one another just as God has forgiven us.
”Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
Furthermore, we are admonished to forgive others as evidenced by Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
So, what does this have to do with Joseph? Let’s read Genesis 45:1-18 and try to sort it out.
45 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. 9 Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. 10 You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. 11 I will provide for you there because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise, you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’
12 “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. 13 Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”
14 Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward, his brothers talked with him.
16 When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, 18 and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’”
OK – Let’s begin by remembering verse 8 in chapter 41. “Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.” This may have been the beginning of his forgiveness, although it is entirely possible that he had forgiven them prior to their visit.
It is worth noting that Joseph never mentioned his brothers and their betrayal to others. Otherwise, how do we account for Pharaoh’s reaction to the news that the men from Canaan were Joseph’s brothers? 16 “When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, 18 and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’”
It stands to reason that if Joseph had told Pharaoh about the dastardly deed that he would have reacted in a much different and harsh manner.
Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned from this – forgiveness becomes even more complicated when we tell others about the wrongs that someone has done to us.
Joseph’s Act of Forgiveness
“Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
14 Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward, his brothers talked with him.”
Here we see that Joseph totally forgave them and nowhere do we see that the brothers repented and asked for forgiveness (although that was entirely possible).
Concluding Remarks and Application
Forgiveness 101
One of, if not, the most difficult thing to do when forgiving someone is deciding to forgive them.
Be willing to give up your right to not forgive someone.
Remembering that God has forgiven us. So when we say, The Lord’s Prayer and come to the part that says “Forgive us our debts/trespasses as we forgive our debtors/trespassers” should be a reminder of God’s forgiveness and that we are commanded to forgive others.
Reminding others of the wrongs that have been done to us complicates forgiveness.
Forgiveness does not hinge on the offender’s repentance.
Partial forgiveness is not an option.
Forgiveness does not mean condoning what has taken place.
Forgiveness does not mean forgetting.
Forgiveness brings freedom and the potential for reconciliation.
