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Joseph: A Lesson In Forgiveness 

The story of Joseph is a good lesson in forgiveness. We find his story in Genesis chapters 40-50. Joseph was mistreated, slandered, and betrayed by his own family. He could have become discouraged, embittered and exercised self- pity. But he did not allow these wounds to remain, instead he chose to forgive and found healing.

Joseph did not allow those wounds to fester. Instead he allowed God to heal them. As a result, he was able to say "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Gen. 50:19-21) 

How was Joseph able to forgive his brothers?

1. He trusted that God was in control of his life and that nothing happened to him without His knowledge.

Joseph forgave their sin against himself for God had shown him that even their evil actions had been part of God’s plan for saving the entire family.

God had allowed him to be sold into slavery because He had a plan for Joseph to rescue Egypt along with his own entire household from famine. 

God allowed the injustice of him being wrongly accused by Potiphar’s wife because He had a plan for Joseph to meet with the cup bearer in prison. 

And God had even allowed the restored cup bearer to forget about Joseph and leave him a while longer in prison because God had a plan for the cup bearer, at just the right time to remember and introduce Joseph to Pharaoh. 

Remember as His child, nothing happens to you without His knowledge - even the bad things. He is in control.

2. He had the conviction that God was the just judge. He did not have to take matters in his own hands.

His brothers on the other hand had never been able to forgive themselves for the wrong that they had done to Joseph and were constantly living in fear. So 37 years after they threw him down a well and having lived under his gracious care for 20 years, once their father Jacob dies, they are still afraid that Joseph will seek revenge against them.

An unforgiving attitude cripples a person, whereas a forgiving spirit frees them.

Are you living a crippled life or living in freedom?

Quote: “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” C. S. Lewis 

Prayer: Lord, help me to learn that an unforgiving attitude cripples my life. Help me to acknowledge that You are in control of everything that happens in my life and help me put my trust in you and learn to forgive. Amen