True Leaders Forgive

 

True Leaders Forgive

Genesis 50: ¹⁵ When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.” ¹⁶ So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying, ¹⁷ ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.” ’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

 

¹⁸ Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.”

 

¹⁹ Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? ²⁰ But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. ²¹ Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

 

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Joseph’s brothers hated him and his relationship with their father. Now that Jacob was dead, they figured Joseph’s wrath would finally come out. They sent a messenger to ask for their forgiveness. Then they went to see him and bowed before him and asked for forgiveness.

 

 

My Observations:

• Joseph’s brothers wanted to harm him, but this evil was seen by GOD and used to raise him up.
• Joseph’s brothers were erratic, so they sent a messenger to ask for forgiveness, but felt the need to show up in person.
• Joseph acknowledged their evil and showed mercy, because he could have had them put to death and no one would have blinked by doing so.

 

True leaders hear from GOD and forgive. I believe this entire slice of history is placed in the Bible by GOD to show us that forgiveness is available for us to use any time. False leaders bully people and hide their evil. BUT GOD sees their evil and will repay.

 

Vengeance is owned by GOD. HE will repay. But HE also sees the heart of the forgiver. Joseph’s name is forever known as a leader who GOD raised up to be an example of forgiveness.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about Joseph’s forgiveness?
• Are you in need of forgiveness and have not spoken to people in a while, or have you not forgiven someone and are avoiding them?
• Do you see how important forgiveness is to GOD and is there someone you need to forgive or ask for forgiveness?