Joseph is one of my absolute favorite people in the Bible because of the way he remained faithful to his God in very difficult situations and found favor from him. As we have been reading through Genesis, Joseph finds himself with some rather complex circumstances. I am sure that Joseph had imagined the day that he might be reunited with his father and brothers. We know Joseph was a wise and patient man by the reaction to his brothers’ coming to Egypt. How did he stay passive and unemotional? How did he not seek revenge? God was guiding his decisions and Joseph’s desire to glorify God was remarkable.

It makes me contemplate how I would have reacted to the brothers that had sold me into slavery. For all the brothers knew, Joseph could have been a beaten down starving slave somewhere. Had the brothers learned anything from their hatefulness? I believe so. Their reaction to having Benjamin stay with Joseph was telling. They knew that they had hurt their father badly by selling Joseph and knew that they could not do that again with Benjamin. Do you think that spoke to Joseph? Do you think Joseph found it easy to forgive his brothers? I bet not. I am convinced that Joseph was solely depending on God’s grace and strength to lead him through this amazing reunion. 

Only with God’s presence in our lives are we able to live like Christ would. There is no way we as humans could ever forgive like Joseph did. We find it hard to drive around town without getting angry at other drivers. Joseph took time to ponder how to handle the situation. These chapters are such a fabulous reminder that forgiveness is possible with God’s power. Joseph had so many choices on how to handle his brothers and he chose the high road. He chose to be gracious. Joseph knew that even through the evil of his brothers God had prevailed and used it for his glory.

“Oh Lord, give us the same desire to serve you as Joseph shows us here. Fill our hearts with forgiveness and love to those that need it from us. Make us examples of your grace and love.”

Karen E. Lawson, Fernandina Beach, Fla.