Life: Overcome bitterness

• The Bible Studies for Life lesson for Nov. 16 focuses on Genesis 45:3-11.

Introduction

This week, we have Scripture’s greatest forgiveness story, apart from the crucifixion of Jesus. Truly nothing compares to God’s forgiveness, for through it we receive salvation (Ephesians 1:7). Joseph’s story of forgiveness is so rich, the Bible preserves it as the foremost illustration of the way God forgives. Joseph forgave as he did because he was acutely aware of the Lord’s character and ways.

Joseph’s story is the victorious climax to the sweeping message of Genesis. The creation account presents a grand overture of the formation of a human-centric world. Stunningly, disaster strikes as the first humans choose the destruction of sinfulness over the riches of a personal relationship with God. Genesis then tells the story of early sin-infested humanity, among whom God establishes a family who will live by faith in the Lord.

Abraham, the father of the faithful, passes his legacy of faith to his descendants, but its continuance is in utter peril in the hands of Jacob and his unruly sons. Yet one son, Joseph, a true spiritual descendant of Abraham, lives by faith in the Lord despite being discarded into oblivion. The climactic moment of Genesis arrives in chapter 45, where Joseph struggles and prevails with the cost of forgiveness. Faith is victorious, as Joseph chooses to forgive because he saw the hand of God in the events through which he suffered. This, declares Genesis, is the way God forgives.

Forgiveness does not mean we forget the past (Genesis 45:3-4)

The advice “forgive and forget” often is pressed upon us as we waver under the weight of experiencing injustice and wrong. Forgiveness, however, rarely is so simple. Forgiveness is pardon or remission of an offense. Forgiveness is relatively simple to explain, but it is one of the hardest things for humans to do. And this is because forgiveness really requires is the wronged individual to pay for the offense of the perpetrator—in the sense of bearing the damage of the offender—just as Jesus suffered on the cross.

Joseph felt the weight of his brothers’ betrayal and all the injustice he had faced because of their horrible act of hatred. Nevertheless, being so close to the Lord, Joseph could see, as a prophet sees, the movement of God in the midst of the circumstances generated by his brothers’ heartless conduct. Everything came to a head in Genesis 45:2. Joseph knew what the Lord wanted him to do—provide for his brothers. They stood before him, needy, weak, ignorant, foolish, awkward and undeserving.

God brought the brothers to Joseph. Now Joseph could exact revenge or forgive. The Lord trusted Joseph, saying in essence: “Here’s the moment you have waited for. How will you handle it?” Then the dam broke. Joseph, a devout man of God, could not treat his brothers as they had treated him. His thunderous anguish—his moment of release and healing—shook the palace and terrified his brothers. In that painful, birthing moment, Joseph emerged as the victor in the ultimate prize fight of life, choosing to forsake the pain of the past and extend forgiveness rather than coldly dispatching his brothers to deprivation and death in prison.

When Joseph speaks in verses 3 and 4, his brothers hear the voice of a heroic man of faith. He has embraced his Lord’s redemptive activity despite the pain he was required to bear. Forgiving is not forgetting, after all. The offender is no less guilty, but forgiveness sets aside the offense. Embedded in the word “forgive” is the word “give.” Forgiveness is a giving action—an expression of grace. It is not deserved or merited or paid for. It is freely given.

Forgiveness focuses on the future (Genesis 45:5-8)

Joseph lived by the truths expressed in two great passages: Deuteronomy 31:6 declares God never will forsake his people; Philippians 3:13-14 speaks of “forsaking” the past and focusing on the future. Striding forward in the power of God’s attending presence because he has been healed by God, Joseph warns of the enduring famine and outlines the steps necessary to save the growing Hebrew clan. God has known all along and has provided safety and provision so Jacob’s family can flourish. This is God’s way—flourishing his people during times of distress.

The real tragedy is while the Lord has prepared to provide for the Hebrew clan, a preparation that extended well into Joseph’s childhood, the brothers allowed their resentment to fester into evil against their brother. Romans 5:8 similarly states that while we were practicing sin against the Lord, Jesus died on the cross to provide forgiveness to us.

Joseph no longer will dwell on his past. He’s strong now. As he declared God’s wisdom and provision for his family, Joseph also conveyed forgiveness to his brothers. He will not rehearse with them the pain and heartache he has experienced. He has no need to dwell in bitterness. It is over now. God healed him, and God is pointing the way to the future.

Forgiveness seeks good for the forgiven (Genesis 45:9-11)

Joseph now is concerned for his family. He has not seen them in 22 years. But they might suffer hardship and become destitute if they do not quickly act. God gave Joseph the task to care for his family. Joseph knows what is coming, and he knows what to do. Being God’s servant, he seeks the best for those he has forgiven.