Matthew 6:14-15
14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
In our study of last week, we saw how Joseph’s heart was not hardened by bitterness against God because of the many unjust hardships he experienced. First at the hands of his brothers, Genesis 37:1-24. Then being sold into slavery, Genesis 37:25-36. Then being purchased as a slave and later being falsely accused of attempted rape and imprisoned, Genesis 39:1-20a. Being in prison Joseph still remembered the unjust causes he experienced which was the reason he was there, but we see he still does not blame God, Genesis 40:14-15, “14 But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. 15 For I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”
As was repeated many times in last week’s Sunday morning sermon, Joseph was not angry at God or blamed God for allowing him to experience the unjust treatment he did from his brothers and the false accusations of Potiphar’s wife. Joseph did not allow bitterness to take root in his heart because he did not blame God.
It was not until about thirteen years after his hardships began that Joseph was finally freed from prison and immediately appointed to be the second most powerful man in Egypt, Genesis 41:1-39.
At the end of seven years of plentiful harvest in Egypt, the period of seven years of worldwide famine began, Genesis 41:57, “And all the countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the world.” This caused Joseph’s brothers to leave Canaan and travel to Egypt to purchase grain for their families. Genesis 42:5, “So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also.”
It is very clear that Joseph never forgot what he had suffered at the hands of his brothers, this was obviously seen by the harsh treatment they received on their first encounter with their brother Joseph, Genesis 42:1-23.
When someone who was unjustly treated as Joseph was by his brothers it is not easy to just forgive as the offense never happened. God had to heal Joseph’s heart but it took time.
Joseph recognized his brothers but they did not recognize him, Genesis 42:8 “Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.” After spending three days in prison not knowing what was going to happen to them, they were released and they received the grain they needed from Joseph with the condition of leaving Simeon their brother behind in Egypt until they returned with their youngest brother, Benjamin. Genesis 42:24b-26, “He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes. 25 Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man’s silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them, 26 they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left.”
In the second encounter that Joseph had with his brothers they still did not recognize that it was Joseph they were speaking to, Genesis 43:15 to 44:34. In addition we also can see that in these two chapters Joseph still treated his brothers harshly, intentionally causing them much distress.
It is clear from what we studied last week that Joseph continually acknowledged God and was not angry with God for all the unjust treatment he had experienced, however it is obvious that he still needed to fully forgive his brothers.
Forgiveness is not easy and this is clearly seen by how Joseph treated his brothers in the two encounters he had with them. However, it is also important to note along with Joseph’s harsh and distressful treatment, Joseph also demonstrated to them some undeserved favor, by allowing them in their first visit to return back home with the money they thought they had paid for the grain by putting it back in to their grain sacks. Genesis 42:25-26, “25 Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man’s silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them, 26 they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left.”
In the brother’s second journey to Egypt, Joseph did same as he did before, he had their silver, without their knowledge, put back into each one’s grain sack. Genesis 44:1-2, “Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack. 2 Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said.” However, this time with secondary intentions. Joseph was still “messing with their emotions” purposely causing them distress as we read in Genesis 43:3 to 34. This is a clear indication that Joseph still needed to fully forgive his brothers.
Joseph was in the place of leadership in Egypt where God wanted him to be, but Joseph’s heart was not. God still needed to work on Joseph’s heart or character freeing him from unforgiveness against his brothers. Even though our Bibles does not say that Joseph was unforgiving of his brothers, we can clearly see by Joseph’s words and actions he needed to totally forgive his brothers.
Just because we are blessed and being used where God wants us to be, God also wants our hearts to be fully undivided or influenced by unforgiveness. Once we forgive, then we will totally be who God wants us to be, in the place where God puts us to do what He has purposed us to do.
In chapter 45 of Genesis, we see Joseph finally fully forgiving his brothers. Genesis 45:1-5a, “Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here…”
Even though it was Joseph who was unjustly and harshly treated by his brothers he did not wait for them to come to him and ask forgiveness, no it was Joseph who came forward and said, “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here…”. In other words, Joseph finally forgave his brothers.
Now having forgiven his brothers, Joseph was free to understand and explain to them God’s divine purpose in his life of why He permitted Joseph to suffer at the hands of his brothers. Genesis 45:5b-9, “…because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. 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. 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.
For some, forgiving others is a process that will can take time, because they have been badly wounded. However, during this process, the born believer in Christ always needs to be in submission to what the Holy Spirit tells them and continue to be in God’s word and not allowing pride to get in the way of the healing process to forgiveness.
Pastor John
