We all should have a forgiving heart. After all, Jesus’s mission was to make it possible for us to be forgiven. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus teaches us that if we want God to forgive us, we must forgive others. In Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13, Paul reminds us of the command to forgive others. We see this biblical truth in the life of Joseph, the son of Jacob.
Matthew 6:14-15 “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Colossians 3:13 “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
Joseph exhibited this character trait many times. I am sure when his brothers sold him into slavery, there were questions in his mind as to why they would do this. He must have been deeply hurt, but nothing is recorded against him. When he was thrown in prison, we find nowhere that he blamed others or badmouthed them for his situation. After the butler and baker promised that if he interpreted their dreams, they would tell Pharaoh about him, and they did not, he still held a forgiving heart toward them.
Because of Joseph’s desire to please God, he was blessed by God. One of the greatest statements of forgiveness is found in chapter 50 of Genesis. Jacob has died, and his brothers are afraid that Joseph will now take revenge. So they sent a messenger to Joseph to tell him that their father, before he died, commanded them to give Joseph the message that he should forgive his brothers.
Genesis 50:15-19 “And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?”
In Genesis 50:20, Joseph makes one of the most forgiving and profound statements in reference to forgiveness and the providence of God. Joseph says, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive.” He then tells them not to fear. This was coming from the one they had wanted dead and thought was dead. He had the power and the ability to have them enslaved or killed for the way they had treated him. Yet, instead of revenge, Joseph shows forgiveness and kindness to them. He tells them in verse 21 of chapter 50, “Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.” He welcomed them, took care of them, and their families.
Wow, what a picture of what Jesus has done for us. We have transgressed against Him, but he still forgives. Then He promises to take care of us and never leave us. He promises a relationship with Him and the Father. He not only promised, but He demonstrated it by dying for our sins. He forgave us, but He expects us to forgive in the same manner.
