Genesis 50:18-21 (NKJV) Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 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. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
If anyone had the right to be bitter and dwell in unforgiveness, it is Joseph. In fact, if Joseph had not dealt with the hurt, we would see a man filled with vengeance, anger, and rage. He could be bitter towards God for allowing him to suffer under the accusation of Potiphar’s wife. If Joseph did not know God, he might be resentful for being thrown into prison even though he was innocent and had stood against Potiphar’s wife’s temptation. He could have constantly rehearsed how his brothers had thrown him into the pit and eventually sold him over all those years. He would be a man full of anger and bitterness. He could have been miserable.
This passage shows that Joseph had already dealt with the issues of betrayal and abandonment by his brothers years ago. Joseph knew God. He would not have been able to forgive them at that moment if he had not taken time to process the pain caused by his siblings’ betrayal and abandonment.
If Joseph had not dealt with all his hurt, he would not have heard from God for the interpretation of dreams while he was in prison or when he was brought before Pharaoh. Those unforgiveness, bitterness, and hurt would have dominated his thoughts. Joseph would not have received the impartation of God’s wisdom to deal with the famine in the land when he was the Prime Minister of Egypt. Joseph understood God’s attributes and character, so he walked in forgiveness and extended mercy and grace to those who had hurt him, rather than harbouring hatred, bitterness, and anger.
Matthew 6:14 (NKJV) “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
It is liberating when we choose to forgive someone who has sinned against us, just as God has forgiven us while we were still sinners. We are clearing the issues from our hearts when we forgive. We can decide to come before God to release those who have hurt us into His hands. We commit them to God by naming those who have hurt us and releasing the pain to Him. We are called to offer total forgiveness. Choosing to forgive others helps our spirit to be sensitive to God.
Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive? How might unforgiveness be affecting your spiritual sensitivity, your decisions, or your ability to walk forward in God’s purpose?
Sermon Series: Are You Joseph?
放手的恩典
创世记 50:18-21 约瑟的哥哥们又来俯伏在他面前，说：“看哪，我们是你的仆人。”约瑟对他们说：“不要害怕，我岂能代替神呢？从前你们的意思是要害我，但神的意思原是好的，要成就今日的光景，保全许多人的性命。现在你们不要害怕，我必养活你们和你们的妇人孩子。”于是约瑟用亲爱的话安慰他们。
若说这世上有谁最有理由怀着苦毒、活在不饶恕里，那个人大概就是约瑟。若约瑟没有处理内心的伤痛，我们所看见的，很可能会是一个被报复、愤怒和怨恨充满的人。因着波提乏妻子的诬陷，他完全有理由埋怨神，为什么容许自己遭遇这样的苦难。若他不认识神，当他明明是清白的，却因拒绝试探而被下在监里时，他很可能早已心生怨愤。他也完全可以一遍又一遍地回想，多年前哥哥们如何把他丢进坑里，又如何把他卖掉。若他一直抓住那些伤害不放，他的人生必然会被怒气和苦毒吞噬，活在痛苦和折磨之中。
然而，这段经文让我们看见，约瑟其实早已处理了哥哥们带给他的背叛与离弃。约瑟认识神。若不是他曾花时间面对并整理那些因手足背叛而带来的伤痛，他绝不可能在那一刻真正饶恕他们。
若约瑟没有处理内心所有的伤害，当他在监狱里时，他不会从神领受解梦的启示；当他被带到法老面前时，他也无法清楚听见神的声音。因为不饶恕、苦毒和伤痛，会占据一个人的思想，使心灵失去清明。若他一直被这些情绪捆绑，当他后来成为埃及宰相时，也不会领受从神而来的智慧，去面对那场遍及全地的饥荒。约瑟深深认识神的属性与性情，因此他选择行在饶恕里。面对那些曾经深深伤害过他的人，他没有怀藏仇恨、苦毒和怒气，反而愿意施予怜悯与恩典。
马太福音 6:14 你们饶恕人的过犯，你们的天父也必饶恕你们。
当我们选择饶恕那些得罪我们的人时，心灵便得着释放。正如神在我们还作罪人的时候，已经先饶恕了我们。每一次真实的饶恕，都是一次内心的清理。我们可以来到神面前，把那些伤害过我们的人交在祂手中。我们可以一个一个地把他们的名字带到神面前，也把那些仍然隐隐作痛的伤口交给祂。神呼召我们的，不是部分的饶恕，而是完全的饶恕。当我们选择饶恕别人，我们的灵就会变得更加柔软，也更加敏锐。
默想：此刻，在你的生命中，是否有一个你需要饶恕的人？不饶恕是否正在影响你属灵的敏锐、你的判断，或你继续走进神旨意的脚步？
讲道系列：你是约瑟吗？