By Teman Knight
Adjunct Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHERS: FAMILY RECONCILIATION
Genesis 42:3–5, 21–24a; 45:1–5
Forgiveness is a key component of any relationship. Because of our sinfulness and selfishness, every relationship is going to experience times of failure and hurt, especially in our family relationships. Forgiveness is the way to find healing and restoration for broken relationships. As believers, our relationship with God is based on His forgiveness of our sin. We are commanded to forgive others as He has forgiven us.
In our last lesson, we saw the broken relationships of Jacob’s family. We ended with Joseph being sold into slavery and Jacob grieving. Now, we move forward 20 years.
Joseph’s life in Egypt was an up-and-down experience, rising from slavery to being head of household only to be falsely accused and imprisoned. Later, Joseph becomes Pharaoh’s chief adviser and second in command, overseeing the storing and distribution of resources during the famine. His brothers come back into his life after they travel to Egypt to purchase food because of the famine.
God can use a crisis to bring two groups together. (42:3–5)
To provide for his family during the famine, Jacob sends his 10 oldest sons to Egypt to buy grain. He does not send Benjamin, Joseph’s younger brother. Jacob’s fear that something may happen to Benjamin is an indication that he is still affected by the loss of Joseph. While hurt and loss may diminish over time, they still can affect our actions and responses.
This crisis brought Joseph and his brothers back together. Sometimes the crises of life such as family crises, health issues and funerals can bring us back into situations where we must deal with people from our past and have an opportunity to restore broken relationships.
Repentance begins with acknowledging our sins. (21–24a)
Joseph recognizes his brothers, but after 20 years they fail to recognize him. Testing them to see if they have changed, Joseph accuses his brothers of being spies, which they deny. Joseph demands that his brothers return home and bring back Benjamin, the youngest brother. Simeon is kept as a guarantee that they will return.
The guilt-ridden brothers conclude that God is punishing them for selling Joseph into slavery. Upon hearing this, Joseph leaves the room so that he does not reveal his identity when he weeps.
Forgiveness lets go of the past and leads to restoration. (45:1–5)
At this point in the story, an emotional Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers. The brothers are overwhelmed and terrified by this revelation. Perhaps they think that Joseph will now seek to retaliate because of their past actions.
Joseph tells his brothers that God has allowed everything to happen as it did so people might be saved from starvation during the famine. He tells his brothers to go home and tell their father to pack up and move to Egypt.
Forgiveness is vital for healthy relationships at home and in church. Jesus instructed us that even when we are in worship, if we have offended someone, then we should leave and go immediately to reconcile with our brother (Matt. 5:23–24). This would include confession and restitution.
If we have been offended, we must immediately seek reconciliation and forgive the offender (Matt. 18:21–22): “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. … For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matt. 6:12, 14).
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