Genesis 50:15-21
Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, ‘What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?’ So they approached Joseph, saying, ‘Your father gave this instruction before he died, “Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.” Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.’ Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, ‘We are here as your slaves.’ But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.’ In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.
Reflection
Forgive! Forget about the grudge and just forgive it! Wow! Seems like such an easy statement to type but the reality of this for myself and many other people is so far different. I can't get that rotten offense out of my head! How can I forgive something like that! He knew what he was doing at the time. I heard those words spoken. I can't just ignore what happened and forgive it all. It's just not that easy.
Look at what Joseph said and did though. He forgave. I wonder if in the back of his head somewhere he was thinking, "Ha! It didn't work out like these guys thought and I ended up on top!" Well, if so, then maybe forgiveness was a little easier. Maybe it wasn't even forgiveness. But, what if Joseph had remained in prison and died there? How would he feel about the sin of his brothers against him? Would it be as easy to forgive?
Then again, I have to think about the situation. Joseph wasn't left in prison to die. Joseph was in the position he was given by God at this moment. Joseph did forgive his brothers and take care of their needs. Those are just the easy things that Joseph did.
The hard part was for the brothers. The brothers needed to repent of the wrongs they had committed. They came to Joseph and wanted to make up. Did they want to make up because their father had died and the father was the uniting figure of the family? Most likely perhaps. But this situation was presented now and the reason to repent was at hand to seek forgiveness from Joseph. Paybacks are hell when they are evil and calculated. So, the brothers turn to Joseph for forgiveness.
And they get something they didn't expect. They hear the Word of God spoken through Joseph. Actually, I think, maybe the Word that comes from Joseph's own mouth may have even surprised Joseph as well. In my opinion, I think that Joseph and the brothers begin to realize the grace of God in this place and time.
What the brothers meant for evil, God has turned into something wonderful. Something wonderful for not only Joseph the brothers and family but for two nations of people as well and for the entirety of all the created.
God shows us how to forgive. God shows that even in the midst of our own sinful acts, God is in control. God has a plan. God has a mission to carry out that saves all the people. That mission is through forgiveness and renewal and new life in relationship with God and with one another. Even in the midst of our doubts and evil schemes for control ourselves; we realize that God brings to us forgiveness and new life and salvation.
Salvation to be fulfilled through God. Salvation through God's actions of Jesus for all the people. Forgiveness comes through the cross and the sacrifice God paid for all the people. God's plan is unfolding and we are a part of it.
How could Joseph or the brothers help but to respond...
"But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God?"
Both Joseph and the brothers were set in a forgiving situation by God. A situation to forget your power and authority and forgive; and a situation to realize your sin and repent. Both Joseph and the brothers are humbled in the presence of the forgiveness of God.
Forgiveness is God's work and we too can and will forgive one another. We too can do what we thought couldn't be done and forgive. We can because we have been graciously and freely forgiven ourselves by the life giving actions of God through Christ Jesus. We CAN forgive and we WILL forgive.
How else could we respond to what God has done for us... how else?
Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtZA8XOpvUc
Prayer
Lord, show me those situations that I need to repent and those situations where I need to forgive, that I may act boldly in your grace... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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