Forgiveness = freedom

Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.
Then he remembered his dreams about them. (verses 8, 9)

Read Genesis 42:1-23

Joseph, to this point, had experienced a hard life. His brothers sold him into slavery. He was falsely accused, convicted and jailed for allegedly sleeping with his Egyptian master’s wife. But now he comes face to face with his brothers. Because he was older and dressed as an Egyptian ruler (together with all that Egyptian makeup) his brothers didn’t recognize him.

Joseph could now get revenge! But he doesn’t. He remembers the dreams God gave him as a child and now they were taking place right in front of him. Instead of fury, here is a story of forgiveness. Instead of rage, Joseph chooses restoration. And in the place of pay back God enables him to make peace. What about you? Is there anyone you need to forgive? In the Lord’s prayer Jesus taught us, ‘Forgive us our sins as we forgive those that sin against us: God can help us forgive others just as he helped Joseph. Through Jesus, God has forgiven us of so much.

In your life, who do you need to forgive?

Lord God, thank you for your unending grace toward me. Help me to be a person of grace also. Amen.

by Dean Mills, in ‘Time Out with the Shepherd’  (ACR, Australian Church Resources, 2017)

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