Joseph – Faithful To Forgive

Feature 2 –September 2016 – Grace & Truth Magazine

JOSEPH
Faithful To Forgive

Many people in various relationships are experiencing hurt, deep emotional injuries, depression and detachment. Some are going through a process of abandoning marriages and friendships because of an unforgiving spirit. However, there are others who have, in spite of their wounds, recognized that forgiveness is the glue that repairs a broken tie. They are willing to forgive and restore a badly strained relationship.

Forgiveness is costly; it took God’s only Son, Jesus, and the cross to effect it, giving forgiveness a full and true meaning. Thank God that there is no sin too big for Him to forgive.

Joseph’s Injuries
Joseph is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ, seen as the beloved son of his father (Gen 37:3), the suffering servant rejected by his brothers (vv.18-27); and the exalted savior who was ruler over all the land of Egypt* (41:40-44).

Joseph was sent by his father to seek out his brothers and their welfare (37:13-17). Beginning from this time, he suffered some deep injuries. They included:

• He was scorned by his brothers. “And when they saw him afar off ... they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another, Behold this dreamer cometh” (vv.18-19 KJV).
• He was stripped of his special coat by his brothers. “And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him. And they took him, and cast him into a pit” (vv.23-24).
• He was sold by his brothers. “Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew near and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt” (v.28).
• Joseph was falsely accused by his employer’s wife and thrown into prison for a crime he did not commit. “And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her ... And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out ... And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison” (39:10,12,20).
• He was forgotten for a long time by the butler whom he had helped by interpreting his dream. Joseph had asked the butler to remember him, to show kindness and to make mention of him to Pharaoh (40:9-15). The butler finally remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh about him. “Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day ... there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew ... and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret” (41:9,12).

Joseph Forgave
In spite of the injuries Joseph suffered from the fury of his brothers, the falsehood of Potiphar’s wife and the forgetfulness of the butler, he was faithful to forgive. Joseph knew the faithfulness of God and His forgiveness. He was aware of the fact that God could be trusted at all times and that His promise would never fail. Joseph realized that God had a divine path, purpose and plan for his life. He understood that the past could not be changed, but it could be forgiven.

Therefore Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and reconciled them to him. In love and mercy he forgave them, removing their guilt and grief, and restored them through grace into fellowship with him. “And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life” (45:3-5). Joseph knew that forgiveness brought healing (Ps. 103:3-4). He knew that we are products of the past, but we do not have to be prisoners of it. God is a forgiving God.

His brothers were forgiven and reconciled, but they were still tormented by fears after the death of their father. Joseph, who was faithful to forgive them, again gave them reassurance. “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 much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them” (Gen. 50:20-21).

Forgiving is not forgetting, as the marks might still be visible, but it is a choice to be made today not to dwell on what has been forgiven. If you are still struggling, seek godly help from others. Forgiveness is like medicine that can help heal broken hearts. May we, in spite of injuries, be faithful to forgive for Christ’s sake.

ENDNOTE
* Egypt itself is a type, picturing the world.

By Emmanuel V. John

What About You?If you are struggling with spiritual, emotional and physical injuries which have triggered feelings of bitterness, resentment and an unforgiving spirit, be assured of the fact that there is hope for you right now in Jesus Christ. There is no sin too big for Him to forgive and no wound too deep for Him to heal. Here are some suggestions to help restore troubled relationships: List the names of those who have hurt you.Identify the pain that you are experiencing.Re-focus on God’s love, mercy and grace shown to you.Release your damaged emotions and all who have hurt you to Him.Heed God’s message to you: God, who has forgiven you all your sins, is the One who is asking you to forgive others, even for Christ’s sake. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32).