Joseph And Revenge

by HJS

The Bible tells it all - the sordid details of human failure, the lust that turned gentleness into savagery and the failure of individuals who were godly but forgot their calling in moments of passion, hatred or greed.

Such emotions detail the account of brothers whose jealousy drove them to want to kill their very own brother, Joseph. If you recall the story, a compromise was made not to kill him but to sell him to Midianite slave traders who took him to Egypt.

About a decade passed, and Joseph rose up to become Prime Minister of Egypt, second only to Pharoah. Furthermore, a major famine parched the Middle East, and Joseph's brothers came to Egypt seeking humanitarian relief.

Eventually, the brothers faced Joseph. But they didn't recognize him. The story is rich in insights for those who have lived with wrongdoing. Joseph not only forgave them, but did great good instead of exacting punishment or revenge. He brought the entire household into Egypt and gave them some of the best land for their flocks. His step of forgiveness resulted in complete restoration with his family.

Forgiveness means, "I give up my right to hurt you because you hurt me." It means, "I can trust Him who sees the sparrow fall to note the wrong that has been done to me and trust that God in His own time, and in His own way, will deal with the one who has wronged me." It means, "I refuse to exact an eye for an eye, lest we both end up blind."

It practices what Jesus taught, "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28).

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.  LUKE 6:35