Moving Toward Forgiveness by Wendy AlsupSample

Genesis 43 – 45 tell us the story of Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers. Years later, after their father’s death, Joseph’s brothers came to him again, knowing that he had every right to throw them in prison. 

The mercy Joseph had shown them was so undeserved, so surprising, that they still feared his revenge. But Joseph turned to them, not with revenge, but with grace and kindness.

What he did seems superhuman, but Jesus demonstrated something even more amazing for us on the cross. When forgiveness seems impossible for us, we can look to Jesus’ example and know that we are not alone in figuring out how to return good for evil as we wait on God’s just hand to move on our behalf. 

• What is different about this conversation between Joseph and his brothers and the ones toward the beginning of the story? (See 37:5-8; 42:7-17; 42:18-24; 43:26-30; 44:3-17.) 
• What is true justice, according to God’s work through Christ?  
• Do your hopes for this broken relationship align with true justice? Will you pray for God to show you where you may be longing for revenge instead of repentance?