Last time, we read in Genesis 45:1-15 about the reconciliation of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery in Egypt. There, he was unjustly accused, convicted and imprisoned. But God was using these experiences to shape Joseph for His purposes.
While in prison, Joseph got acquainted with Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker, who had also been sent to jail. He interpreted dreams for each of them, which came to pass. The baker was hanged, but the cupbearer was restored to his position. Joseph begged the cup bearer to put in a good word for him. But the cup bearer forgot Joseph’s plea.
Two years later, when Pharaoh had dreams no one could interpret, the cup bearer remembered Joseph. He was summoned, interpreted the dreams - there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Egypt needed to take advantage of the first seven years to prepare for the last seven. Pharaoh was so impressed that he made Joseph second in command only to himself, and appointed him to be in charge of making preparations for the seven years of famine.
Under Joseph’s leadership, not only did Egypt have plenty during the years of famine, but people in neighboring lands also found help in Egypt. Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt for help. By the time God brought all this about, He had be able to enable Joseph to forgive his brothers and they were reconciled, as we read last time.
As we considered Joseph’s example last time, we noted four things that will indicate we have truly be able to forgive. If we have forgiven . . .
1. We will not be angry with God - Genesis 45:7-8
2. We will not want our brother to fear us - Genesis 45:3-4a
3. We will not want our brother to feel guilty - Genesis 45:5
4. We will not want our brother to be humiliated - Genesis 45:1
This kind of forgiveness can make reconciliation possible; which is what came about between Joseph and his brothers. Joseph had his brothers retrieve their father, and all their families settled in the land of Goshen in Egypt.
Now, I want us to move forward in the story a few years later, when Joseph’s father had died. (READ TEXT)
Let’s note two more indications that one has genuinely forgiven.
5. Our forgiveness will be unconditional - vs. 15-17
Now that their father had died, his brothers feared that Joseph might change his mind. They thought his forgiveness was conditional - that he was forgiving only as long as their father was alive. But they were wrong. Joseph’s forgiveness had to do with the change God had brought about in his heart. Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers had nothing to do with anything around him; it had everything to do with what was within him - and God had placed forgiveness in his heart toward his brothers. Their lack of understanding made Joseph weep.
Now, as we have previously pointed out, this didn’t happen overnight. Forgiving others, is just like any other command God gives to us, it can only be done as God gives us the strength.
“Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” - Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT)
The Scripture makes it clear that one of the indications that I genuinely belong to the Lord is that He has changed my desires, so that I desire now to do His will. But now, as Paul challenged the Philippians, we need to let the fact of our salvation be seen by others.
Now, with respect to forgiveness, God has forgiven us unconditionally. That is what the cross is all about. God has unconditionally provided forgiveness for everyone who has believed, will believe and will not believe, and he placed no conditions on providing for our forgiveness.
“We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us. Very few people will die to save the life of someone else, even if it is for a good person. Someone might be willing to diefor an especially good person. But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.” - Romans 5:6-8 (Easy to Read)
As we have pointed out, while reconciliation involves two people, forgiveness only involves one. To benefit from God’s forgiveness and be reconciled to Him, that requires repentance. But the forgiveness that makes reconciliation with God possible has been provided through Christ’s sacrifice, and that forgiveness is unconditional. God will never go back on His provision for our forgiveness - through the cross, His forgiveness has been provided “once for all.”
“He offered a sacrifice once for all, when he gave himself.” - Hebrews 7:27 (CEV)
But notice that though the forgiveness provided through the cross is unconditional, it was not provided without cost. It cost God’s Son His life. Likewise, Joseph’s unconditional forgiveness of his brothers did not come without cost. And if you and I are going to be able to move forward from a hurtful incident and truly forgive in such a way that it’s a “done deal” that we will never go back on, we must be willing to pay the same price that Joseph did and that Jesus did.
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” - Luke 9:23 (NIV)
God’s power is available to enable me to forgive from the heart and to forgive unconditionally, but I must be willing daily to deny myself and take up my cross by choosing to forgive until the choice I make daily becomes an unconditional attitude of my heart toward that person concerning their offense.
6. Our forgiveness will be unending - vs. 18-21
Pastor Sam Storms says that when we forgive . . .
“We joyfully resolve never to throw the sin back into the face of the one who committed it. We promise never to hold it over their head, using it to manipulate and shame them. And we promise never to bring it up to others in an attempt to justify ourselves or to undermine their reputation. And lastly, we promise never to bring it up to ourselves as grounds for self-pity or to justify our resentment of the person who hurt us.” - Sam Storms
Conclusion: Bible students often point out the similarities between Joseph and Jesus.
1. He was the favorite son of a wealthy father - Gen. 37:3; Matt. 3:17
2. He was a shepherd - Gen. 37:2; John 10:11-14
3. He was taken into Egypt to avoid being killed - Gen. 37:28; Matt. 2:13
4. He became a servant - Gen. 39:4; Phil. 2:7
5. He began his ministry at the age of thirty - Gen. 41:46; Luke 3:23
6. He was filled with the spirit of God - Gen. 41:38; Luke 4:1
7. He returned good for evil - Gen. 50:20; Matt. 5:44
8. He was humble and unspoiled by wealth - Gen. 45:7-8; John 13:12
9. He was taught by God - Gen. 41:16; John 5:19
10. He loved people freely - Gen. 45:15; John 13:34
11. He gained the confidence of others quickly - Gen. 39:3; Matt.8:8
12. He gave bread to hungry people that came to him - Gen. 41:57; Mark 6:41
13. He resisted the most difficult temptations - Gen. 39:8-9; Heb. 4:15
14. He was given vision into the future - Gen. 37:6; Matt. 24:3
15. He tested people to reveal their true nature - Gen. 42:25; Mark 11:30
16. He was hated for his teachings - Gen. 37:8; John 7:1
17. He was sold for the price of a slave - Gen. 37:28; Matt. 26:15
18. He was falsely accused - Gen. 39:14; Mark 14:56
19. He was silent before his accuser - Gen. 39:20; Mark 15:4
20. He was condemned between two prisoners - Gen. 40:2-3 Luke 23:32
21. He was dead before his father - Gen. 37:33; Luke 23:46
22. He was held for two, and was free on the third - Gen. 41:1; Luke 9:22
23. He rose to a new life - Gen. 41:41; Mark 16:6
24. He was not recognized by his own brethren - Gen. 42.8; Luke 24:37
25. He returned to his father - Gen. 46:29; Mark 16:19
26. He was proclaimed to be lord over all - Gen. 45:8; Rev.19:16
The comparison between Joseph and Jesus is, no doubt, divinely inspired in Scripture. But as we think of being compared to Jesus, isn’t that what the Bible said should also be said of us as believers today?
“Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” - 1 John 2:6 (NLT)
There is one parallel between Jesus and Joseph that needs to also be found in us. We are to forgive even as Christ forgave us.
“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” - Colossians 3:14-15 (The Message)
