Genesis 42

Joseph TESTED AGAIN!

In the story of Joseph, so far, we see Joseph being constantly tested in his faith. In his childhood, he had to live with hostile & jealous brothers. He escaped death but was forcibly sold as a slave and carried away from home and family at a very young age (Genesis 37). He was intensely tempted to sin sexually by Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39). Then, he was imprisoned. In total he spend THIRTEEN years as a slave and as a prisoner latter on. In all these times, he did not give up and remained very committed to his faith.

And now Joseph is again tested in the sense that his brothers, who (except Reuben) tried to kill him and sold him as a slave, are in-front of him. He can easily have them imprisoned and punished severely (even, possibly to death) for their horrible sins against him. But as usual, Joseph wins the test of faith again here as well! On seeing signs of repentance, he forgives his brothers and even rewarded them with the best land in Egypt (Genesis 45:18; he also promised that he will provide for their children too - Genesis 50:21 - WOW), just like Jesus would have done! This was a great risk for Joseph, as Egyptians seemed to not have liked Hebrews & shepherds (Genesis 43:32, Genesis 46:31; apart from knowing that they tried to kill him once). Also, did Joseph wonder how much can he trust these brothers, given that they once tried to kill him and sell him off as a slave?! It could have been lot easier for Joseph to not deal with his brothers again, now that he was at a very secure & high position at Egypt. No wonder, commentators call him a foreshadow of Christ in Old Testament.


Parallels between the way Joseph treated his brothers and God treats sinners

Joseph's brothers (except Reuben) tried to kill him (Genesis 37;). But on seeing signs of repentance, Joseph forgives his brothers (Genesis 42-45). Not only did he forgive them, he also rewarded them with the best land of Egypt (Genesis 45:18). Latter, he promised that he will provide for their children too (Genesis 50:21; WOW, knowing that they tried to kill him once)! In the process Joseph took great risks as Egyptians seemed to not have liked Hebrews & shepherds (Genesis 43:32, Genesis 46:31; apart from knowing that they tried to kill him once). He may have also wondered how much can he trust these brothers, given that they once tried to kill him and sell him off as a slave. It could have been lot easier for Joseph to not deal with his brothers again, now that he was at a very secure & high position at Egypt.

Jesus seeked to reconcile with all those who tried to kill him. Not only did he offer forgiveness to them, he also invites them to be co-heirs with Him in the riches of God's Kingdom (Romans 8:17; They have to repent and turn to God though). WOW. And all this came at a great cost - Jesus dying on the cross.

The picture of Joseph eating on the table with his brothers who greatly sinned against him, but were forgiven, is reminiscent of Jesus eating with sinners in Mark 2:15 and also the great banquet which is to come (with God as host and redeemed souls as guests; Isaiah 25:6-8, Luke 14:15)


Joseph forgave his brothers, who greatly sinned against him. Talking of "forgiveness", why should we forgive others?

Following helps with the answer:-

  • In Genesis 50:19, Joseph clarified: "Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children."
  • We have all sinned. Hence if God does not forgive us, we all go to hell. But God is offering forgiveness to all those who turn to Him, through His Son Jesus. Once we are forgiven, God calls us to be Christ-like who forgives those who turn to God. Matthew 6:15:- "But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. ". God's will is reconciliation.
  • Matthew 5:44: Jesus: "... love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you "
  • Luke 7:47: "But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”


How to forgive, when it seems impossible?

At times, it may seem impossible to forgive someone. That is when we need to rely on the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit to forgive. Matthew 19:26:- "With God all things are possible". Indeed, so many times to be able to forgive someone seems to be a great miracle from God!

Prayers, guidance, and encouragement from fellow brothers and sisters in the Church goes a long way as well.


MISC

  • Genesis 42:6: "So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.":-So finally the prophesy of Genesis 37:7 is fulfilled after more than 20 years! What did Joseph think all these years? Did he doubt the prophesy?
  • A friend from Bible study asked if Joseph would have been so forgiving and generous to his brothers, if he was still a slave or a prisoner without his current gloriously redeemed state in Egypt.