Genesis 45 - Joseph and his family

After Joseph revealed himself to his brothers he gave God the glory and honor. A big switch from the Joseph who bragged about his coat and made his brothers so angry with his boastful stories of his dreams to rule over them that they sold him to slavery.

The stories Joseph told his brothers about his dreams were true and from God. But Joseph was not discerning and made everyone angry.

In Genesis 45 we meet a new Joseph. This Joseph learns a little about discernment. This Joseph forgives his brothers for selling him into slavery. This Joseph promises them riches beyond what they could ever imagine. No strings attached.

Joseph tells them this; "But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt." Genesis 45:7&8

Joseph is giving God all the glory and yet forgiving his brothers who could have cared less what happened to Joseph, years before. They threw him away. They were glad to be done with him.

So Joseph weeps with them (vs.14&15), sends them back to Jacob (their father) with donkeys, food, clothing, etc. Enough for all their family's, and the journey back to Egypt.

Joseph showed us how God forgives us and showers us with goodness even though we have sinned against him. All we have to do is ask and God forgives. No strings attached. Because we are God's children he grants us grace and forgives us. Joseph granted forgiveness and riches because they were his brothers.

What a great story to teach our children. Especially about sibling relationships and forgiving those who have wronged us.

Also, this story teaches us that God has a plan. During those ugly situations where we cannot imagine God being a part of, He is. He is all knowing.

We need to realize that even in circumstances when people are ugly and disappointing us, He still has a plan. We may hate the situation when someone dumps us, a parent abandons us, a child rebels against us, or a family member steels from us. In all those (and many more) it is still God's plan. Who are we to stand in the way of God's plan for our lives? Even when it is ugly!

Forgiveness is one of the hardest things for us to do. We feel as if we deserve the last word or the acknowledgment we are right. We need to move past that.

We need to form this attitude, this prospective; "It is NOT about me. This is about God's plan. What am I going to do with this situation to honor Him?"

Have a forgiving weekend!