Forgiving the Unforgivable
Our text is Genesis 50:20.
“As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.”
Here’s the backstory for this amazing scripture. Joseph had eleven brothers who threw him into a pit, sold him as a slave, and deceived their father into believing that a wild animal had killed him. Years later, they found themselves living in Egypt, a land essentially ruled by the very brother they had sold into slavery.
Imagine being in Joseph’s position. If your siblings had sold you as a slave, would you be able to forgive them? Listen to Joseph’s words to them, “You meant it for harm, but God intended it for good.”
I admire that kind of heart. Not only did Joseph forgive his brothers, but he also welcomed them back into his life. Joseph also adds, “Do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.
Despite being sold into slavery and enduring many years of hardship, Joseph embraced his brothers again.
I will leave you with the words of another writer: “Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.”
I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.