On January 27, 2025, the world observed International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The world also observed the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, where the Nazis murdered 1.1 million people-mostly Jews but also Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war, gay people, blacks, Jehovah Witnesses, Freemasons, disabled people, and other “enemies of the state.” Should we forgive such unspeakable evil? Could we, even if we tried? These complicated questions are raised by the story of Joseph, especially in Genesis 45:3-11 and 15.

Confession is hard. We wonder if the person we are confessing to will be angry, hate us, or think badly of us after he/she finds out the truth. These thoughts were running through the minds of Joseph’s brothers after Joseph revealed his true identity to them. So much depends on the person we are confessing to. For example, the God we know is far more patient, loving, gentle, and merciful than any human being.

Joseph held his brothers’ fate in his hands. His brothers were completely at his mercy, and fortunately for them mercy is what he extended. Joseph believed that God had a plan in the wrongs that he had suffered. That purpose was to preserve a remnant that would fulfill the promise to Abraham. Joseph’s attitude was remarkable in that he refused to blame them but wanted to impress upon them that the hand of God was evident in his life.

Silence followed the words, “I am Joseph.” Previously, Joseph spoke only in Egyptian through an interpreter, but now he spoke in Hebrew to his brothers. The object of their hatred and the evidence of their sin stood before them, and they were dismayed and terrified in his presence. Joseph’s statement that “God sent me before you…to save your lives” showed his ability to see God at work, turning the tragedies of life into triumphs. God never asks any of us to sit down and wait for Him to vault us into success. He asks us to trust and obey Him day by day and to learn the lessons He sets before us.

If the brothers had any difficulty understanding this disclosure it would be understandable. Not only had their long lost brother suddenly reappeared and their long hidden secret been exposed, but Joseph promptly offered forgiveness to them, going to great lengths to encourage them not to grieve or be angry with themselves. Joseph kissed all of his brothers to demonstrate forgiveness: Reuben, unstable as water; Simeon and Levi, who brought trouble; and Judah, who saved Joseph’s life by suggesting that he be sold. Reconciliation brings peace, protection, provision, and nearness.

The balance of truth which insists on an Almighty One working out His purposes and at the same time teaches that the people through whom He works are free agents has taxed God’s people throughout history. Joseph used two phrases which kept both sides of the truth before his brothers and also before us. On the one hand, he told them “you sold me,” but at the same time he remined them, “God sent me.” In no way was their responsibility diminished, but equally in no way had God ever lost control of the situation.

Perhaps we should be like Joseph and others whose practical approach to a problem allowed them to continue in deep reverence and dependence while at the same time accomplishing much of significance through hard work and the proper use of divine gifts. General William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, is a great example. He did not allow himself to be sidetracked in theological debate when he became aware of London’s desperate and destitute masses. He said, “Work as if everything depended on your work, and pray as if everything depended on your prayer.”

When Joseph said that God sent him to preserve a remnant, he was referring to the famine from which they were being delivered, but he may have been saying more than he knew, because in God’s plan there would be an even greater deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt which could not take place without God first sending Joseph to the land of the Pharaohs. His brothers were being invited to explore the wonderful workings of God and see how an understanding of the Lord can deal with bitterness and put sweetness in its place.

The story of Joseph and his brothers teaches us two lessons. First, God truly is in control and that He will ultimately prevail with or without the cooperation of his erring children. Second, when someone comes into contact with the immensity of God the result is a heart that beats with something of His love to such an extent that extraordinary depths of love and forgiveness flow from a grateful heart. God calls us to have a forgiving spirit. Knowing that God is in control of all that happens to us releases us to forgive others.

What person seems impossible for you to forgive? What keeps you from fully forgiving the one who hurt you? God’s love outweighs any harmful experience. Will you obey God and forgive? Forgiveness is a three-step process:

  1. A clear view of the big picture. As far as Joseph was concerned, the pain his brothers caused him only served God’s ultimate will. It was still a rotten thing for them to do, but God’s purpose for the salvation of His remnant people far outshone his brothers’  evil deed. God’s ultimate intentions for our salvation can reduce the power of the hurt.
  2. Repentance. Joseph does seem to rub it in a bit with his statement that “you sold me into Egypt,” but this does serve to make them face their past actions. There can be no reconciliation unless we face the wrong we have done, admit it, and turn from it.
  3. Forgiveness, the putting away of past hurts. The pathway to forgiveness lies in recognizing God’s forgiveness of our sins, a forgiveness that covers past, present, and future sins.  It is when we see the mercy that has flowed to us from the cross that we are able to apply a bit of mercy ourselves.

(An audio version of this message can be found at https://www.spreaker.com/episode/genesis-45-verses-3-11-15-forgiveness–64499657)

Bibliography

1.  Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 63)

2. Dan Clendenin, Ph.D., “Fret Not Yourself.” Retrieved from www.jouorneywithJesus.net

3. Briscoe, D.S., & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 1: Genesis (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1987; pp. 352-254)

4. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)

5. Lucado, M.: The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010; pp. 63-66)

6. Dr. Kari Vo, “Confession.” Retrieved from www.lhm.org

7. Meg Jenista, “Genesis 45:3-11,15 Commentary.” Retrieved from https://cepreaching.org/authors/meg-jenista

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