Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Genesis 50:15-21 (NIV)
Joseph Reassures His Brothers
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. 18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
In what ways did Joseph pay the price in following God (Christ)?
Lord God, I know that I am a sinful being and that You have forgiven my sins. I also know that it’s tough for me to forgive others when they personally attack me or do something that really hurts. That is what is so incredible about Joseph. After he was so brutally mistreated by his brothers, causing years of separation from his family including jail, Joseph recognized Your hand at work to use the situation for Your good plan. Help me Lord, to look for You in all things, even those situations where I am hurt, or where things don’t happen as I had desired. Allow me to keep the attitude like Joseph of forgiveness and submission to You and allow for Your hand to lead, to guide, to judge and to forgive. Help me remember, that I am not God, but You are. Amen