As we come to the conclusion of the first book of the Bible and both Jacob and Joseph are taken home to the Lord, the theme of last Sunday’s scripture reading is echoed; faith and trust. Because of faith in the Lord, we trust, and as a result we see things differently than most. Like Abraham, Moses, Isaac, David, Daniel, Samson, Jacob-Joseph's father and so many more, Joseph was an example of true faith. He forgave his brothers for selling him into slavery as they begged him for mercy, because he had a vision of the big picture not simply the immediate situation. Humbly he said: “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives…..” He reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
Reflecting on our own lives and the wrongs that may have been done to us, do we not hold grudges? Isn’t it natural to embrace bitterness and perhaps even hatred toward those who have offended us? We tend to judge and sometimes even encourage others to do the same. Joseph clearly was not judging his brothers, but instead left that up to God. He was likely angry at some point, and the Bible tells us that anger is justifiable. It is mentioned that God is angered when injustice occurs, but the only way to find freedom from the hurts that have devastated us is by trusting-as Joseph did, that God’s justice will prevail in the end. As Matthew West sings in his most recent song, Forgiveness "The prisoner that it really frees is you."
Read Genesis 50 here
Listen to Genesis 50 here
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