“So no one stayed withy him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it.”- Genesis 45:1-2
In Chapter 2 of How Can I Possibly Forgive?, Sara Horn notes that the Bible is replete with examples of resentment. While the good news is that we’re not alone in our grudges, the bad news is that grudges and resentment are easy to grow.
Sara states that the Old Testament account of Joseph is one example where we might view resentment as a well-deserved response. Yet, because Joseph chose to trust God, the Lord was with Joseph. Joseph’s story, Sara adds, is about more than God’s purpose for our lives, an example of God’s plan versus our plan, or an example of calling over comfort.
One of the greatest truths in Joseph’s story is forgiveness. When Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, he doesn’t come off as the brother who still got everything he wanted. He faced his brothers and cried so loudly that everyone in the house heard him. Sara describes Joseph’s crying as “the sweet, heartbreaking sound of forgiveness, that cry of grace and reconciliation and humility and love all rolled into one.”
Early on, Sara concludes, Joseph decided to trust god rather than men and to let God take care of the battles that really mattered.
Today’s question: At this point in your desert, transformational journey, where is forgiveness most needed in your life? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Ready to be offered”