Perspective: WK5 - THU
Forgiveness
Genesis 45:1-5
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. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
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.
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! 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.”
Joseph is overcome with emotion at the moment of the reveal. He is their long-lost brother. Fear washes over the group as they realize what has been going on. They are at the mercy of the one they overpowered, stripped to his undergarments, and sold into slavery years earlier. They had denied their father the truth. Now they no longer control the story. Worse, he has been toying with them. Why? Is he enjoying part one of a series of tortures? What will happen next?
Joseph asks about their father, but no one can answer. They are paralyzed with fear. There must have been mercy in his eyes as he encourages them to come closer, and slowly, like testing the water at the edge of a pool, they inch toward him. He knows they are in shock as he says, “Don’t be afraid, and don’t be angry with yourselves.” Isn’t it interesting how often the injured party shows the first grace, closes the gap, and creates reconciliation?
Over the years, Joseph has gained the perspective to see things through God’s eyes. Yahweh has used his brothers’ sins to position the Hebrew teen in the courts of Pharaoh. He sees that God’s hand has been over him, even if most wouldn’t recognize it. In that moment, standing face-to-face with his tormenters, he made a simple choice to let go of bitterness and forgive.
Genesis 45:1-5
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. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
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.
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! 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.”
Joseph is overcome with emotion at the moment of the reveal. He is their long-lost brother. Fear washes over the group as they realize what has been going on. They are at the mercy of the one they overpowered, stripped to his undergarments, and sold into slavery years earlier. They had denied their father the truth. Now they no longer control the story. Worse, he has been toying with them. Why? Is he enjoying part one of a series of tortures? What will happen next?
Joseph asks about their father, but no one can answer. They are paralyzed with fear. There must have been mercy in his eyes as he encourages them to come closer, and slowly, like testing the water at the edge of a pool, they inch toward him. He knows they are in shock as he says, “Don’t be afraid, and don’t be angry with yourselves.” Isn’t it interesting how often the injured party shows the first grace, closes the gap, and creates reconciliation?
Over the years, Joseph has gained the perspective to see things through God’s eyes. Yahweh has used his brothers’ sins to position the Hebrew teen in the courts of Pharaoh. He sees that God’s hand has been over him, even if most wouldn’t recognize it. In that moment, standing face-to-face with his tormenters, he made a simple choice to let go of bitterness and forgive.
- What hobby, sport, or activity from your past no longer fits your life? Is it hard to let it go? Why or why not?
- What guilt or shame do you need to release? Why is it hard to do so? What would you like to say to Jesus about it?
- Knowing that Jesus promises forgiveness for every confession, what would you like to bring to Him today?
No Comments