After the death of his father Jacob, Joseph's brothers fear that he might take advantage of his father's death and retaliate against them. Still, it seems that Joseph's sincerity has not been conveyed in their hearts.
1. Entering
But Joseph confesses in faith to his brothers that he has not avenged or forgave them, but that the faithful God has led all these things.
2. In the text
Joseph says that God will do both to comfort and revenge his feared brothers and to forgive them.
(1) Joseph consoled his brothers.
They feel guilty about selling Joseph in the past. But when his brothers confessed that they had sinned against him, Joseph had already said, "This is what God does." Despite Joseph's confession, his brothers still treat him in fear.
When Joseph's brothers saw that their father had died, they wondered if Joseph might return all the evil we had done to him because he hated us. (Genesis 50:15, Revised Bible)
Joseph confessed that all these journeys of life were in the providence of God. And comfort them that they don't have to be afraid. Joseph lived his youth alone in Egypt. And you may think that hardship is because older brothers sold themselves.
But Joseph did not resent or avenge his brothers. Rather, I comforted my older brothers who were afraid.
(2) Revenge and forgiveness belong to God.
And Joseph says to his brothers,
Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid, because I will replace God." (Genesis 50:19, Revised Bible)
The word "Replacing God" is written in Hebrew Bible as "the man who replaced God." It means, "Will I take revenge on my brothers with God's deputy or God's authority?"
Joseph also says in verse 20.
You tried to harm me, but God turned it into a good and saved the lives of many people as he did today.
This means that I have not done anything to forgive my brothers, because it is God's providence that I have become the prime minister of Egypt and have risen to a respected position. It can be said that I admit that I am not authorized to forgive my brothers in the midst of God's providence.
Therefore, Joseph clearly states that revenge and forgiveness are all God's decisions.
(3) God surely pays you back.
Joseph had a firm belief in God's providence and said that both revenge and forgiveness for his brothers were not in his territory, but God's work. It is also a confession of faith that the God of righteousness clearly distinguishes good from evil and pays it back.
May we be sure that God is being inspected and done in righteousness, just like Joseph. Paul the Apostle recommended this.
"My dear ones, do not avenge yourself, but leave it to God's wrath, and the Lord says, 'I am avenging it, and I will repay it.' (Romasser 12:19, Revised Bible)
If we are all convinced that we are living in God's providence, we must leave it to God's sovereignty, whether it is revenge or forgiveness. Jesus also told a woman who had been caught in the scene of adultery, "I do not condemn you either" (8:11). On the cross, he also said, "I ask my soul to be in my father's hand" (Luke 23:46), and entrusted everything to God.
3. On your way out
If we trust the God of love and justice, let us leave our revenge and forgiveness on our enemies to whom we trust. God will lead all things reasonably. Let us live today in obedience to God's guidance, fully relying on God. When entrusted to God, our hearts will be filled with peace and joy that the world cannot know.
4. I'll pray.
May I leave everything in God's hand, just as Joseph, who has entrusted God with all his revenge and forgiveness for his brothers. Let us live obedient to God's guidance like Jesus Christ.
I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
5. Prayer title
May you taste the peace and joy of heaven by recognizing God's sovereignty over my life.
Let us consider the complexities of our country and of our people, and let the power of the gospel solve the problem.
Give wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit to your servants, who are still striving for the gospel of the world.
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