Genesis 45:1-8
I want to quickly revisit Joseph’s telling of his own story when he finally reveals himself to his wretched brothers in Genesis 45. Like his unconscionable brothers we sometimes tend to forget that a moment of truth and reckoning comes to all of us. The time comes when our past catches up with us.
When Joseph broke the news to them of his identity, they were petrified and stunned. Their lives had come full circle. Their lies and deceit finally caught up with them. How true the Scripture “ . . . and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).
Joseph simply said to them, “ . . . I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt” (Genesis 45:4). By divine design and orchestration, Joseph amazingly gets to tell his own story, and he skillfully gets to confront his lifelong haters, with the very dream that they so despised. However, instead of doing so arrogantly and vindictively, the reader is held spellbound and mesmerized by Joseph’s tone of humility and genuine sense of joy as he reconnects with his own shifty, shameless brothers. As we review the life of Joseph, we remain fascinated.
He reintroduces himself to his brethren in the most gentle, unassuming way – no big titles or fanciness! Could it be, that God can’t really bless some of us because we become so beside ourselves and big-headed when our dreams are realized. Joseph simply says, “I am Joseph your brother whom ye sold into Egypt” (45:4). He could have easily disowned them, rightfully disowned them, but he deliberately chooses to remind himself and them that above all else, and in spite of all their misdeeds and misappropriations – they are brethren! He reserves the right to tell his own story, but as keenly noted, he does so with no hatred, no malice, no viciousness! There is no bitterness! No anger!
It is incredible that he is not cranky or desirous of revenge! He is not prickly or petty! His unimpeachable life causes us to remember that no man or woman rises to greatness who is petty and who keeps a record of wrong and cannot forgive. With charity toward all, he stands ready to forgive, and he does so most graciously.
According to the passage, Joseph is now a grown man, who had gone through the most bitter trials of rejection and ugly betrayal by his most trusted loved ones. It is not unreasonable to expect him to be filled with anger and bitterness, however instead of hatred and resentment, Joseph is eager to extend an olive branch to his brothers and to generously bless them. In fact, right after revealing himself to them, he sets about the task of consoling them, trying to ease the pain of their guilty conscience and help them find peace. His compassion for them, in spite of their scandalous behavior toward him, is truly remarkable.
Today may God bless us with a similar ministry of reconciliation and putting people at ease, after they have wronged us and made to see the terrible sinfulness of their ways. The truth is life is too short to waste time on keeping a record of wrongs and holding grudges. Instead of becoming a hater like his obnoxious brothers, Joseph chooses to sincerely forgive them and become his brothers’ keeper and savior. We can never win others by being like them. Life is too short!
Leroy V. Greenaway
Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region
