Jump Start # 400

NOTE: This is our 400th Jump Start. We are thankful for those who have taken the time to read and share these simple writings. We are in the process of putting all of our Jump Starts on the website. Thank you for allowing me to help “Jump Start” your day—Roger

Genesis 45:3 “Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?’ But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.”

  We continue our look at Joseph this week. We left him yesterday heading to prison for something he didn’t do. The righteous suffer. Joseph spends two years in prison. He is forgotten by one who promised to help him. The righteous suffer.

  Because of some dreams that Pharaoh has, word is brought that Joseph, who is in prison, can interpret them. He is released. He interprets accurately what the dreams mean. Pharaoh puts Joseph in high command, second only to Pharaoh himself. During Joseph’s leadership, the nation saves grain in the good seasons to ready and position itself for coming famines. It would do well if our country and many families could learn to do that. The famine comes. They always do.

  Joseph’s brothers are suffering because of the famine and come to Egypt for help. It is here the they encounter Joseph. They don’t recognize him, but Joseph knows who they are. He weeps and can hardly hold his excitement. Twice in this context he says, “I am Joseph.”

  Now the victim is in the position of setting the score straight with his abusers. It’s been a long time, but one doesn’t forget pain. Joseph doesn’t go that direction. Instead he forgives. He restores. He removes the shame and guilt his brothers felt. Three times he tells them that God was behind all these things to get him in this position.

  Joseph does two remarkable things that demonstrates forgiveness. First, he moves all his brothers, his father and all their livestock to Egypt. He wants them near him. Second, he promises to take care of them. This puts the people of God in Egypt. Later, it will be Moses who leads them out of Egypt.

  It was this act of forgiveness, which is based upon love and grace that shows the character of Joseph. No one would have thought less of him if he had at first put his brothers in prison, just to experience what he went through. Or, maybe sold them, as he had been sold. But not Joseph—he took the higher road and forgave.

  What a lesson for all of us. Forgiveness is tough. It’s hard because we have been hurt. It’s hard because we want to make them hurt as well. We want to even things. We use expressions like, “get even,” or “settle the score,” to define what we often feel like. God wants us to forgive. He forgave us. He continues to forgive us. He doesn’t give up on us nor refuse to give us a second chance with Him. That is what we follow. The example of the father in the story of the prodigal is similar to the Joseph story. Forgive, restore, accept—hard concepts when we have been hurt.

  Without forgiveness, a marriage will suffer. Two people living together are bound to disappoint and hurt one another. The only hope is forgiveness. Without forgiveness, a congregation can not move forward. Members disappoint. They hurt one another. Without forgiveness people leave  – with hurt feelings. With forgiveness, fellowship continues.

  To forgive is to not remind the person of the wrong done nor make them feel uncomfortable around you. To forgive is to not make them feel unwelcome nor second class. I tend to think if we were writing the story of the prodigal son, it would read differently. We’d have him come home, but he’d be sleeping in the barn for a while. That’s not how Jesus’ story went. He was home and at the table with his father. He was restored and forgiven.

  Matthew 18 tells us that forgiveness means to release one from what they owe. A debt has been paid. Nothing more needs to be done.

  Joseph forgave. I wonder if the brothers could forgive themselves. They were wrong. Foolish brothers who are jealous do things without thinking. They hurt others to make themselves feel better. They do a lot of harm. But thankfully, there are Joseph’s. Those that tend to see the big picture and not focus upon themselves. Those that understand that forgiveness is the best way. Forgive others as God has forgiven you—is what Paul told the Ephesians.

  Not easy. Many feelings, emotions and thoughts run through our hearts. Joseph, in a small way, mirrors what the Lord did for mankind—he forgave.

  Forgiveness is a choice you make. Either you refuse to forgive and bitterness, hate and resentment swells in your heart, or you choose to forgive and release it. You know what’s the best choice. You know what God wants you to do. Can you do it?

  I am Joseph—not stated to make the brothers run, but to let them know that they had one they could count on, they had a friend, they had a brother!

Roger