Restored Relationship

The scene was captivating The Patriarch, Jacob, had just passed away and the family finished the ceremonial time of mourning. Then their sadness turned into fear.

But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said. 16 So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” Genesis 50:15-17

That happens to us to, doesn’t it? Something bad happens, we get sad, and then we get scared.

It’s a natural progression if you are keeping your eyes on your circumstances and not on the one who holds life, and time, in His hands.

Joseph gives us a better example.

Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.
19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them. Genesis 50:18-21

It’s a beautiful picture of how we should act as we become more like Christ. But how do we get there? There’s a verse in between these two passages that helps us. It’s right after his brothers send him their plea to forgive them.

When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. Genesis 50:17b

Empathy. Love.

Joseph had moved on from the betrayal by moving into restored relationship. He invited his brothers to do the same.

Jesus does the same for us, forgiving our sins so that we can experience relationship with Him.