I just finished rereading the book of Genesis, the first book you come across when you open the Bible. It contains the story of Joseph. If you’re not familiar with his story, here’s an oversimplified version.
Joseph was the son of Jacob (who was the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham) and was highly favored by his father among his siblings. The favoritism, along with Joseph bluntly telling his brothers about his dreams in which they would bow down to him, fueled their resentment. Eventually, his brothers plotted to kill him but changed their minds and sold him as a slave to a group of merchants heading to Egypt. They then lied to Jacob, telling him that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal.
And somehow, Joseph ended up becoming the second most powerful man in Egypt (but not before being thrown into prison after his master’s wife falsely accused him). God revealed to Pharaoh, through dreams interpreted by Joseph, that there would be seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. Under Joseph’s oversight, Egypt stored 20% of its harvest during the seven years of abundance to prepare for the famine.
When the famine finally arrived and struck Canaan as well, Joseph’s brothers travelled to Egypt to buy food. Joseph recognized them, but they didn’t recognize him. He used this opportunity to test whether they had truly regretted their past actions and changed their ways before eventually revealing his identity. Rather than seeking revenge (he could have easily enslaved them or had them killed), Joseph forgave them, embraced them, and invited them to move to Egypt with their father, Jacob, and the rest of their family. He promised to provide for them during the remaining years of famine.
This whole story serves as another reminder of the radical forgiveness that I am learning to grow in. And guess what? Joseph had not one, but two opportunities to take revenge on his brothers. The first was when they came to Egypt to buy food. The second came years later, after their father, Jacob, had died. Fearing that Joseph might finally take revenge now that their father was no longer around, they offered themselves as his servants.
But once again, Joseph reassured them not to be afraid and promised to continue providing for them and their families.
There is so much to learn from this story. May God grant me a forgiving heart like Joseph’s and, most importantly, a heart that trusts that He can redeem even the sins committed against us and bring good out of evil.
Genesis 50:15–21
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.