Jan 20 2009 Gen 49-50, Ps 8 Luke 20

Scripture
And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him Genesis 50:15

Observation
Now that their father is dead, what would be stopping Joseph from enacting some extreme form of payback? I am sure they remembered very well how their uncle, Esau at one point, wanted to kill his brother Jacob, who was their father, for an offense far less than what they had done. So based on their family history, it wasn’t out of the question that Joseph might now want to kill them.So they send word that their dad had left a message for Joseph before he died. His message: forgive your brothers. Joseph cried when he heard it.

Joseph’s life is an example of how God can bring healing to the deep wounds of our lives. Somehow Joseph made it. After all he’d been through, after all the hurt, after all the betrayal and unfair treatment; Joseph found healing.

Application
This story speaks to me about the importance of not becoming bitter; which is much easier said than done. Deep wounds will never heal if I allow myself to become bitter. When I am bitter, I want to spread the hurt around especially to the one who hurt me.

I really like what Joseph says in response to them, “for am I in the place of God?”. God is reminding me that he is the one who settles all wrongs.

Prayer
Lord, thank you for this incredible story of how we should forgive. When I am given the opportunity to provide payback to someone who has hurt me, lead me instead, to extend forgiveness