Reconciliation and Forgiveness in the life of Joseph
Reading Gen 45:4-7
Looking at Reconciliation and Forgiveness in the life of Joseph
Introductory comments
Sold as a slave aged 17
Came to prominence aged 30
There had been seven years of abundance
The famine had been present for 2 years
He has not seen his brothers for nearly 20 years
What did the brothers feel when Joseph revealed who he was
This is a wonderful example of reconciliation and forgiveness
Things we do can have long-term consequences
Overview:
Jacob had gone to his relatives seeking a wife
He had been tricked into marrying another woman
He ended up with two wives which caused jealousy
There were favourite children
There was jealously amongst the family / brothers
The brothers hated Joseph and planned to kill him
Instead they sold him into slavery and told Jacob he had died
Joseph was sold to Egypt went to various trials and difficulties
Potiphar and his wife
Butler and baker
The brothers were experiencing guilt and fear – they were a dysfunctional family
Our lives can be dysfunctional
Things may not be resolved and consequences arise
The Lord was with Joseph
He had prospered in Egypt despite all the difficulties against him
He had a spirit of God
He is elevated to second in command, only lower than Pharaoh
His sons were called Manasseh and Ephraim
The names had special meanings
God had comforted him
Often in the darkest of times – God is with us
Quote from song
God provides grace
Example of congregant with motor neuron disease
God’s grace had helped Joseph come to the point where he could forgive his brothers
He does not punish them
The brothers had not repented of their son (though they did regret it)
Yet Joseph was willing to forgive them
The problem was with the brothers and through God’s sustaining grace he had not become bitter
God blesses us through painful experiences
God tests us and provides for us
There was seven years of terrible famine
It was a test of the faith to trust God
It became the means of Joseph and his brothers being reconciled
An example of providence
As we look back in our lives – do we see God’s guiding hand?
The consequences of living with unforgiven sin in the brothers
They had lied to their father
Joseph questions the brothers, implying they are spies
The brothers report they are honest – but they are not truthful
They have not told their father the truth
They have a conspiracy of silence
The father (Jacob) does not trust the sons because of the earlier ‘death’ of Joseph
He will not send Benjamin with the brothers
We are ‘honest men’
We did a terrible thing many years, but since then we have tried to live correctly
Example
It had not resolved the issue nor there guilt
They did not want to face up to the truth
They had a guilty conscience
They felt they were being punished because of their brother
Reuben had tried to warn them, but they did not listen
They felt God was against them
They tried to make atonement
Reuben swore to bring Benjamin back
They had a fear of punishment
Especially when they found the money in their packs (an act of kindness from Joseph)
Example of hymn lyrics
Do you have things in your past that you have not faced up?
Do you feel guilty?
Have you reconciled these things?
God is moving things to the point of reconciliation – through a problem with a cup [today’s reading]
There appears to be a change in the brothers
They bow down before him (as per the prophetic dream)
God is fulfilling His promise and providing for Joseph and his family
Jacob thinks all is against him, but God is working
Judah pleads to stay in Benjamin’s place
Joseph turns aside to cry
Joseph reveals himself
He is not angry with them
He does not excuse their behaviour
He is loving towards them
There is a wonderful time of reconciliation
God’s family is a place with reconciliation needs to occur
If not, this is so sad and destructive
There is a wonderful power in forgiveness
Quote (long) from book by Cory Ten Boom
The love of God was brought about in Joseph’s situation
Joseph was a type of Jesus
Jesus came into the world to seek and save the lost – to bring forgiveness of sin