Genesis 45:1-3 So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept…. Joseph said to his brother, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
The story of Joseph begins to come to an end. Joseph knew who these men were long before they realized who he was. Having tested his brothers to determine the sincerity of their hearts and their need, Joseph is now ready to reveal the truth. His tears were of joy not anger. He felt sorrow not hatred. He sought reconciliation not justice.
The brothers, on the other hand, were cut to the heart. His words bring to their minds the fact of their betrayal of him years earlier. They were reminded of their fit of jealousy and anger that caused him to be sold into slavery and, in their minds, eventual death. Never did they forget him. Although they never saw him again for so long, they lived with him in their hearts for years.
We will always struggle to understand and to practice forgiveness. The human condition will experience to some degree this same sense of injustice and betrayal. Our hearts have been crushed and enslaved like Joseph. Yet our God calls us to be as forgiving as Joseph. God’s plan for our lives might seem as equally unfair. We may journey similar paths and experience similar trials to Joseph. The lesson Joseph leaves us is one to guide us into the same practice of forgiveness. He is our teacher.
This story is a remarkable example of God’s forgiveness and love towards us. God so loved the world that He gave us Jesus Christ. We can forgive because He has first forgiven us.
