If ever someone had reason to be bitter about their circumstances and the hand they had been dealt in life, it was Joseph. Rejected by his brothers, sold into slavery, and then falsely accused and imprisoned when things were finally starting to go well, he’s one of those characters who can’t seem to get a break. Even once the opportunity for restoration seems to have come, Joseph spends an extra two years in prison waiting because of the chief cupbearer’s forgetfulness. And yet, Joseph’s story is overflowing with forgiveness and grace.
Joseph had suffered greatly under the wrong that his brothers had done to him. In chapter 40 he tells the cupbearer and baker, “I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.” Joseph uses the same word to describe his present circumstances that his brothers used to describe their actions against him. He sees and feels the connection between his present suffering and what his brothers did to him, and he knows that in both instances, he has been sinned against. If it were not for his brothers, he would still be an honored member of his father’s household, not sitting in an Egyptian prison. But God is at work every step of the way, directing Joseph’s steps so that he may save the land of Egypt and the people of Israel from starvation.
Joseph had suffered greatly under the wrong that his brothers had done to him. In chapter 40 he tells the cupbearer and baker, “I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.” Joseph uses the same word to describe his present circumstances that his brothers used to describe their actions against him. He sees and feels the connection between his present suffering and what his brothers did to him, and he knows that in both instances, he has been sinned against. If it were not for his brothers, he would still be an honored member of his father’s household, not sitting in an Egyptian prison. But God is at work every step of the way, directing Joseph’s steps so that he may save the land of Egypt and the people of Israel from starvation.
Although Joseph is keenly aware of the harm done to him by his brothers, he is not ruled by bitterness. When Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, he tells them “Do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here… it was not you who sent me here, but God.” This moment was Joseph’s opportunity for revenge, his chance to say, “In the same way that you hurt me, I also will hurt you.” Joseph and his brothers have traded places in the story. When he was thrown into the pit, he was the delegate being sent to them. He was one and they were many. They had the power to keep any crime against him a secret amongst themselves. Now it was Joseph who had that power and his brothers who were coming as delegates. Joseph was the many, with the all of Egypt at his command and his brothers a small band from Canaan. Joseph had the power to throw his brothers into a pit as he had been thrown and leave them there to die or be sold into slavery. With the opportunity to punish his brothers for what they had done to him right in front of him, Joseph instead extends forgiveness. Throughout the rest of the story, Joseph’s brothers fear that the forgiveness he has offered them is transient, but he demonstrates that it is not. Joseph has seen God’s grace and is extending it to those who hurt him.
Even though Joseph’s brothers witness his compassion toward them in forgiving them, providing for them, and bringing them to Egypt, they were still afraid that Joseph might take revenge. After their father’s death they send a message saying that Jacob had asked him to forgive them. Joseph’s response demonstrates that his compassion toward his brothers was genuine and also shows us the source of that compassion. “Am I in the place of God?” he asks. The answer to this question is a resounding no, which is why Joseph was able to comfort his brothers and speak kindly to them, even though they were the ones who had sinned against him. Joseph sees his brothers’ sin, but he also sees God’s grace and sovereignty over his life, including over his brother’s actions.
In Romans we are told, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” Vengeance does not belong to us, and this is an incredibly freeing thing. Because vengeance belongs to God, we are free not to repay evil for evil, but to forgive and have compassion on our enemies. Like Joseph, we are not in the place of God and we can trust that justice is in his hands, not ours.
Joseph saw that his brothers were hostage to their guilt and fear, still in the pit that Joseph had been released from. His heart breaks for them and he speaks words of comfort to them, pointing them to the graciousness of God and giving us an incredibly beautiful model of what forgiveness looks like.
Even though Joseph’s brothers witness his compassion toward them in forgiving them, providing for them, and bringing them to Egypt, they were still afraid that Joseph might take revenge. After their father’s death they send a message saying that Jacob had asked him to forgive them. Joseph’s response demonstrates that his compassion toward his brothers was genuine and also shows us the source of that compassion. “Am I in the place of God?” he asks. The answer to this question is a resounding no, which is why Joseph was able to comfort his brothers and speak kindly to them, even though they were the ones who had sinned against him. Joseph sees his brothers’ sin, but he also sees God’s grace and sovereignty over his life, including over his brother’s actions.
In Romans we are told, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” Vengeance does not belong to us, and this is an incredibly freeing thing. Because vengeance belongs to God, we are free not to repay evil for evil, but to forgive and have compassion on our enemies. Like Joseph, we are not in the place of God and we can trust that justice is in his hands, not ours.
Joseph saw that his brothers were hostage to their guilt and fear, still in the pit that Joseph had been released from. His heart breaks for them and he speaks words of comfort to them, pointing them to the graciousness of God and giving us an incredibly beautiful model of what forgiveness looks like.
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