Extreme Forgiveness – Genesis 50:18-21

Genesis 50:18-21 says, “Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. “So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”

Observation: Jacob/Israel has died. The sons of Israel are left to the will of Joseph, the Pharaoh’s right hand man. Now consider this: Joseph’s brothers did horrible things to Joseph (first tried to kill him and ended up selling him into slavery). What would you do to your brothers if they had done such things? At the very least I would scare the heck out of them in one way or another. The sons of Israel were all pretty much punks except for Judah (read the final blessings from Israel to his sons). They all deserved punishment. And now that Israel was dead, Joseph could do as he pleased because he no longer had to worry about upsetting his father, Israel. But instead, Joseph says one of the most powerful statements in the Old Testament: “…you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” What!? after all that he went through he was able to not only FORGIVE but he was able to see the GOOD in what they had done. Now, it’s impressive enough to truly forgive someone, but he also looked for God’s purpose in it all. Joseph must have been an amazing man!

Application: I have forgiven people who have done things like calling me names, making up lies, going against my authority, you know, the normal kind of stuff. But I have never truly had to forgive someone that has wronged me in the way the Joseph was wronged. So I can’t even say how I would react to such a thing. Some application #1 is to forgive. But now you’re telling me that if something happens to me like what happened to Joseph, I need to ask God what his intentions were and how they apply to my life? Folks, I gotta be honest here, the prospect of such things makes me nervous.

Prayer: God, I mean this prayer…please help me to have the strength to forgive when the time comes. And please let me have the ability to see your hand at work in everything in my life…good and bad!