The Freedom Of Forgiveness Series

2. Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Forgiveness doesn’t say, “see I told you so.” Gen 43:26 shows that when the brothers returned to Egypt the second time for food, they “bowed down to him.” This is a fulfillment of the dream that Joseph had in Gen 37:6! I don’t think that Joseph forgot about this. I can imagine Joseph seeing his brothers bow before him. If that were me, I might be tempted to remind my brothers about the dream that I shared with them 22 years earlier! But Joseph resists such temptation.

Forgiveness recognizes God’s control over everything. Joseph is focused on on GOD,

not the offender. Notice Joseph’s explanation to his brothers about why all this happened to him.

Genesis 45:5 "And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you."

Genesis 45:7 "But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance."

Genesis 45:8 "“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt."\

It’s not as if Joseph has forgotten that the brothers put him in the cistern, or sold him as a slave. He has not forgotten the false accusations of Potiphar’s wife, or the other injustices committed against him. Joseph’s freedom is based in the realization that even though terrible things happened to him, he does not need vindication because God was in control the entire time! This is truly liberating. It provides us with the assurance that our problems, injustices and sufferings are not meaningless things. God is always at work. Joseph knew that God put him in Egypt to save many. This was more important to him than exacting revenge on his brothers.

Forgiveness is the only restoration for broken relationships.

Judah gives a passionate speech indicating that the brothers had changed. We find it in Gen 44:18-34. Judah’s speech is very moving. He selflessly asks Joseph to release Benjamin and allow him to return to Jacob because of how much Jacob loves the boy. Judah offers to remain in Benjamin’s place - the exact opposite of what happened 22 years earlier. This speech is the longest speech recorded of any character in the entire book of Genesis! Jodah’s word’s move Joseph to tears and he joyfully and emotionally reveals himself to his brothers, causing great rejoicing throughout the land of Egypt.

Throughout this story, Joseph represents CHRIST. Note the powerful similarities

Both spend time in Egypt

Both were 30 when they entered their public phase of ministry. Gen 41:46

Both had two names! Joseph - his human name which in Hebrew means “Adding” (Gen 30:24). Zaphnath-Paaneah - (Gen 42:25) his Egyptian name meaning “Revealer of secrets.” His name indicates that Pharaoh recognized that GOD had given Joseph the ability to reveal secrets. We can say that this is Joseph’s divine name. In the same way, Jesus has two names - Jesus, his human name given by Mary’s husband, and Christ, his Divine title of deity.