Jacob’s ten eldest sons were afraid. Their father had died, and now they feared that Joseph would take his vengeance against them for having sold him into slavery (Genesis 50:15). They therefore made up a story about a last wish of their father Jacob: before he died, they told him, he had given them a message to pass along to Joseph: Jacob had said he wanted Joseph to forgive his brothers (50:16-17).

The text does not specify whether Joseph believed their story, or whether they had made the whole thing up. It does show us, though, that he had decided that he would not punish them for their act. “Do not be afraid,” he told them. “Am I in the place of God?” (50:19) – thus indicating Joseph’s understanding that it is for God to judge, rather than for us to do so.

<A brief note about chronology>

And then Joseph told them this – another of the great Bible verses we would all do well to memorize: “Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good” (50:20). Joseph was not in doubt about how his brothers’ malice against him had led them to their plan to destroy his life; but he also could see how God had thereby moved him into place to save the lives of all the people in the family.

When people have caused us distress, it is good to know that even though they have meant it for evil, God will find the way to use it for good. That doesn’t excuse their actions, and it certainly doesn’t make their actions right: but it gives us the confidence that God’s mercy will still somehow bring forth blessing from the worst of circumstances.

* * * * *

It is by your grace, O Lord, that you have forgiven us; and we pray that in your grace you will enable us to forgive one another. in the midst of heartbreak and suffering, to remember the power of your grace: you create redemption for us all, sinners and sinned against, in ways that we would never have dreamed possible. Blessed be your name.

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