“And Joseph said to his brothers, . . . ‘I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God.’” (Genesis 45:4-8)
The story of the great reunion of Joseph with his brothers is one of great drama, tension and joyful reconciliation. Here we also see the Christlike behavior of Joseph. Like Jesus, Joseph was abused and mistreated, falsely accused and suffered unjustly for the sins of others even though totally innocent. Yet the suffering of both was ordained by God for the salvation of many. What was intended for evil by others, God used to accomplish His will. Throughout, Joseph knew he was innocent but realized that God had a purpose in allowing it. So, like Christ, he suffered willingly and in patient silence. So how could he hold a grudge against his brothers? How could he withhold forgiveness or mercy or love? All is forgiven. Enjoy the blessings of God with me.
Despite Joseph’s behavior, we might think that his brothers deserve some sort of punishment. We feel the same way whenever someone wrongs us or violates our concept of right and wrong. We find it hard to forgive even when they apologize. This is the way of the world. We must forgive those who are brethren because Jesus has forgiven their sins just as he has ours. And we must offer forgiveness to all. God forgives our sins even when we do not, based on the righteousness of Christ, not our own.
The life of Joseph teaches us that God’s sovereignty always wins out even when we sin. Not only does our evil does not take Him by surprise, but God can bring good out of the bad: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28). This never justifies the evil that we do, nor does it mean we or those we hurt will be spared the consequences of our sins. But it does show that all these matters are in the Lord’s hands. He knows best, especially when it comes to punishment, discipline, and judgment.