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Genesis Chapter 45

When we read about Joseph in Genesis 45, I think most of us are struck by his ability to forgive his brothers and the emotion he shows as he is reunited with them. His ability to forgive (and forget and move on!) is so much bigger than we glean from quickly reading through this chapter. It's not simply something that Joseph does; rather, it's WHO Joseph is. In other words, Joseph doesn't forgive because it's the right thing to do in order to be reconciled to his family. Joseph forgives because it isn't his nature to do anything but forgive. And this is a complete forgiveness - a foreshadowing of the type of forgiveness we receive from Christ.

Verse 5 (New Living Translation) reads: "But don't be angry with yourselves that you did this to me, for God did it. He sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives."

And then in verse 6 it says: "These two years of famine will grow to seven, during which there will be neither plowing nor harvest."

As the old saying says, the proof is in the pudding (or the proof of the pudding is in the eating). Verse 5 shows a measure of Joseph's forgiveness. But verse 6 is the proof - Joseph doesn't talk about his long, hard years in Egypt as a slave and a prisoner who was falsely accused. Nor does he mention his success as second-in-command, answering to no one save Pharaoh. Nope, none of that is even hinted at. Instead, Joseph clearly states what will happen next. In other words, he has moved on. That is the proof of true forgiveness, isn't it? The ability to actually move on; get over it; take the next step.

Verses 7 through 28 continue with the wonderful story of Joseph's reunion with his father, a very touching scene that would make modern Hollywood-ized movie moments seem, well, lame. Only God Himself could write such a perfect ending to a life story that had so much heartbreak.

The same God Who watched over Joseph as he toiled in Egypt is the God Who watches as you toil in homeschooling your children. The God Who graced Joseph with the amazing ability to fully forgive and move on with his life is the God Who will grace you will all you need to fulfill His calling for you.

Don't fear the future; don't let your past keep you locked in the prison of unforgiveness.

Be encouraged today!

Day 84 done :)

Jan L. Burt
www.homeschoolingmothersbiblestudy.com

Comments

  1. Tony BurtMarch 22, 2011 at 10:55 PM

    I like Day 84! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. JanetteMarch 23, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    Wow!! I KNOW this is put here today just for ME! I have been struggling with a certain issue and feeling isolate/alienated..which has caused me to become angry or resentful against certain people. My new goal will be to become like Joseph -- THANKS Jan for allowing God to use you and your blog to constantly remind me how I need to be!! :)

    ReplyDelete

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