Joseph – The Man of
Forgiveness - March 25, 2007
Intro: This morning
we began our trek through the Bible.
Today I supplied you with a survey of Genesis and a brief outline of the
life of Joseph. Today I am going to
focus on the last chapter of Genesis and Joseph dealing with his brothers and
His example of how to overcome hurt and ones past.
1. Our story begins
with the family returning to Egypt
after the burial of Jacob. Joseph’s
Brothers were
afraid of what would happen now that their father was dead. Fear is a
Powerful force in
ones life. Scientists tell us we will do
one of two things when face
with something that
effects our personal safety. We will
either fight or take flight.
Fear powers both. If we fight, we or others will be
harmed. If we flee, then our self
esteem suffers or
others can view us as cowards. One thing
the Bible makes clear is
that fear is a
spirit not given by God. It is overcome by
spiritual means and by three
things, communicated
by a relationship with God. Love, power
and soundness of
mind or personal
godly discipline. 2 Tim 1:7
a. In vs 15, the
brothers were afraid that Joseph now that their father was dead would
seek revenge or
justice for what had been done to him.
To summarize. Joseph was
the son of Jacob
by his second and favourite wife Rachel.
He was the favourite son of
Joseph which
cause his brothers to hate him. He was
given a coat of many colours
which caused his
brothers to hate him so much they sold him to Midianite traders for
20 silver coins. He was sold into slavery in Egypt to
Potiphar the king’s captain of the
guard. He became manager of Potiphar’s house but was
put into prison after refusing
Potiphar’s wife’s
advances. She accused him of rape. He stayed in prison for over ten
Years. During that time he interpreted the dreams of
two of Pharoah’s officials. One
Was killed and the
other released. Joseph asked the
official to remember him but he
Did not. Only after Pharoah had a dream did the
official remember. Joseph was able
To interpret the
dream and give advice on how it could be handled and in one day went
From prisoner to
Prime Minister.
b. He was able to
prepare the land for the seven years of famine according to Pharoah’s
dream. When the famine hit, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt
to by food. Joseph
recognized his
brothers and had them put into prison and questioned. He found out
his father was
alive and his brother Benjamin was O.K.
He kept one brother in jail
and let the others
return with their food and money. He
told them to not returned
without
Benjamin When the brothers had returned &
told Jacob what happened and
he refused to let
Benjamin return.
c. It was only after
the food was gone Jacob was forced to allow Benjamin to return.
When they
returned Joseph dealt with them kindly, held a feast and met their needs.
Unknown to them
Joseph had his manager put his cup in Benjamin’s pack sack. The
Brothers were
returning when soldiers came to return the cup.
When Benjamin’s sack
Was opened they
returned and bargained for his life.
Joseph saw they were truly sorry
And revealed who
he was. He Brought Jacob and the entire
family back to Egypt.
Jacob would live
another 17 years in Egypt
and then die and be returned to be buried
in Canaan. This is
where we find ourselves.
2. They were asking
Joseph to honor a request his father had made.
He asked Joseph
To forgive his
brothers of the offenses they had done to Him.
I never saw that before.
Until I look at
it this time. Jacob as a good father &
did not want any friction between
Family members
before he died. He also recognize his failure
of favoring one
Son over
another.
a. They were asking
Joseph to honor that request. Joseph
wept because of this. When
they came to him
and told him they were his servants.
They were trying to save their
lives and their
children’s lives.
b. Joseph in this
passage would be an example of how true forgiveness works.
3. First, Joseph told
his brothers to fear not. Joseph’s love
for God and his brothers
Overcame any
thoughts or attitudes of revenge. True
love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18
The Bible
contains 365 times where God says fear not.
One for each day of the year.
a. Secondly, he said,
“Am I in the place of God.” Joseph
understood that only God
should take
revenge. He also knew that God was a
forgiving God and as a man of
God, he must do
the same. He understood the power of
forgiveness. It frees, heals
And
restores. Forgiveness is an act of love,
the will and of choice. Jesus said,
Forgive
As you have been
forgiven. Joseph was a type of Christ
when he did this.
Forgiveness is
one of the most powerful gifts of God.
It is contrary to the ways of the
World, the flesh
and the devil. These three know nothing
about it. Vs 19
b. Thirdly, Joseph
said in verse 20, “what you meant for evil God turned it around for
good. Joseph is an example of what Paul talked
about in Rom 8:28, that all things
work together for
good.
1. Joseph saw the
divine purpose for what he had gone through.
He saw his life in Egypt
As God saving not
only his family and nation but Egypt
and its neighbours. Joseph
Was able to grasp
the big picture. True forgiveness
focuses on the big picture and
Refuses to stay
bogged down on petty offenses. Joseph
saw the sovereignty of God.
2. Did Joseph suffer?
Yes. Was he wronged? Yes. But he grew out and above what he
Suffered. Hebrews 5:18, tells us that Jesus learned to
obey by what he suffered.
Joseph saw the
greatness of God. He saw this as the
Lord’s doing. His trust in God
Allowed him to
overcome the littleness of man.
c. There is nothing
like the power of forgiveness to destroy the power of sin, anger,
hatred and
revenge. As Shakespeare said, “To err is human, to forgive divine.”
4. Joseph then again
in vs 21, said, “I will take care of you and your family.” He then
Comforted them
and spoke kindly to them. True
forgiveness is being able to not only
Forgive but be
willing to trust and help. Joseph in
this instant is an example of
Forgiveness
having its complete work.
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