Joseph Forgives
Read Genesis 37:12-28
Wrongdoing weakens our relationships
Wrongdoing separated Joseph physically from his brothers
Boromir and Frodo: The Fellowship broken
The need for forgiveness = Guilty conscience 42:21
That’s why this trouble has come upon us. 20-21 yrs. later!
(They did not know that Joseph lived and understood their words)
44:16 God is punishing us for our sins.
To Forgive means to give up your right to retribution.
Joseph is thought to have been testing his brothers
42:24 - Overhears brothers
43:30 - Sees Benjamin
45:2, 14&15 - I am Joseph
50:17 - Please forgive us
50:15 - Afraid that Joseph would repay them; so they sought his forgiveness
Silent treatment leads to bitterness, not forgiveness
Forgiveness restores a relationship, it does not blast it into greatness
No amount of time diminishes the need to give or receive forgiveness
Joseph 17 --> Joseph 30; then 7 yrs. plenty, 2-3 yrs. want; then Jacob 130 --> Jacob 147; That’s 39-40 years!
Matt 6:23-24; 18:15
If you wronged someone, go ask forgiveness
If someone wronged you, go offer forgiveness
When exactly did Joseph forgive his brothers? Ya gotta let ‘em know
Can it be petty? You bet!
What’s small to you might be huge to someone else
"Wake up!" with Aunt Joyce
Be honest with yourself; then be honest with others
- Check to see if you are willing to admit that you have wronged others
- Check to see if you are willing to forgive others
- Check to see that your goal is restoration
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