A Heart that Forgives
There is much to be admired about Joseph from the book of Genesis; his strength, self-control, generosity, wisdom, and most importantly, his ability to forgive. As many of you know, Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers, but let’s recap Genesis 37:23-28.
Genesis 37:23-28 AMP
“Now when Joseph reached his brothers, they stripped him of his tunic, the [distinctive] multicolored tunic which he was wearing; then they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty; there was no water in it. Then they sat down to eat their meal. When they looked up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead [east of the Jordan], with their camels bearing ladanum resin [for perfume] and balm and myrrh, going on their way to carry the cargo down to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, “What do we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood (murder)? Come, let us [instead] sell him to these Ishmaelites [and Midianites] and not lay our hands on him, because he is our brother and our flesh.” So his brothers listened to him and agreed. [Gen 22:24; 25:2] Then as the Midianite [and Ishmaelite] traders were passing by, the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and they sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And so they took Joseph [as a captive] into Egypt.”
Can you imagine that? Your very own blood, first plotting to kill you, then later deciding instead to strip you of your clothes, practically leaving you to die and selling you into slavery? Man, the emotional and physical pain he endured is a serious thought to ponder; and just when you think his story is bad, it gets WORSE. To add to the plot, Joseph is then falsely accused of sleeping with Potiphar’s wife (Gen 39:11-18), thrown in prison, AND forgotten about by the chief cupbearer after interpreting the meaning of his dream(Gen 40:23).
The point that I’m making is such, Joseph faced many trials from the one decision of his brothers selling him into slavery. Yet, look closely at Genesis 45:5. He chose to see the purpose of the painful circumstances he went through.
“But as for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good to bring to pass as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20)
Let’s be real, Joseph would have had every right to be bitter, angry, and even resentful towards his brothers. However, he changed his perspective and chose to see the purpose from the pain that he went through! I truly believe that this is the key to forgiveness. When we look at things from the Lord’s perspective, understanding the purpose of whatever past pain we’ve been through, we allow forgiveness to take root.
I’m sure we have all been through painful situations, circumstances that we wouldn’t wish on anyone else. However we, like Joseph, have the opportunity to forgive by understanding the purpose of that pain as a reflection and testament of God’s goodness.
“God sent me [to Egypt] ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on the earth, and to keep you alive by a great escape. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 45:7-8)
Instead of fixating on the past, he chose to marvel at the revelation of how the Lord used all that he went through. He didn’t blame his brothers, lash out at them, or even seek revenge. He knew and understood why he went through what he went through; hence his ability to not only forgive but also encourage his brothers to forgive themselves as well. WOW. How profound is that!
“Now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to save life and preserve our family” (Gen 45:5)
Perception is a powerful tool and once we choose to see things through the eyes of the Lord, we gain clarity, understanding, and in Joseph’s case, a heart willing to forgive.
Song: A Heart that Forgives