Download... July 10, 2011. Sunday Morning Service. Bro. Dave Goble.
Oh what a mighty God we serve that we have so much to be thankful for! There are many “stones” in the path of life, some of our own making, and others in the normal lot of life. But Christ is still King of Kings, Lord of Lords...,and Creator of the Universe!
The scriptures declare,..”Let God be true and every man a liar.”( Romans 3:4a God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar;). The reason for this verse, is man at his best, is only finite,..and only God holds the key in offering truth. We are so grateful to be able to have that confidence, for many good reasons.
TEXT: GENESIS 50:14-21
14 And Joseph returned into Egypt, he, and his brethren, and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his father.
15 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.
16 And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,
17 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.
18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.
19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
20 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 much people alive.
21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
The subject for this morning surely must be one of the most favorites of any true pastor to preach about. “The ..*Power*.. of Forgiveness.” A most wonderful thing, high on the list of priorities. So deep, one cannot find the bottom of it.., in principal.
It reminds you so much of what God has done for you. So glorious to speak and consider, it never gets old. It is a healing that flows directly from the core of God Himself. A river that flows from God’s belly into a deep well which is called “Forgiveness,” that is never quenched, and which gives it the.. power.. for forgiveness. It is not consisting merely of a syrupy spiritual emotion, but is deep and powerful to do that which mere man cannot do.
Genesis 37:3-11 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors. 4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. 5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. 6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: 7 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. 8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words. 9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. 10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? 11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
Joseph’s brothers hate is so evident here, full of jealousy because the favoritism shown to him through his attire (coat of many colors) and words he expounded. Verse 10 So here even his father,.. rebuked him. Still though, his father did consider the saying from Joseph, even in the midst of his offended, envious and hateful brothers.
We obviously do not know the exact “tone” that Joseph used in his communication with his brothers, that ultimately stirred their resentment and offense. Again in spite of Jacob’s human offense, he did at least consider the saying of prophecy. Some background information (for any not knowing it), was that Jacob had two wives, ...most of us know about his requirement to work another 7 years for his favorite (Rachael) to be his second wife, because of the customary expectation to first marry the older sister (Leah), ...whom he did not choose. With his favorite wife Rachael, he sired two sons, Joseph, who in turn was also his favorite son, and Benjamin the youngest.
So there is no doubt that the 11 older brothers felt treated unfairly, leading them to react to the bias Jacob showed Joseph,.. with their hatred. It was clearly a very dysfunctional family. Joseph brothers had not even one word of kindness to show him, their envy and hatred being so great. This anger, consuming them, was demonstrated by their plunging him into a deep well, imprisoning him, and later selling him into slavery. At least one of the brothers had even wanted to kill him, but another one of his brothers showed some mercy in expressing his opposition. Of course Jacob the father had a part to play in this dysfunction behavior,..it was,..what it was. It would not be hard to surmise that perhaps Joseph could have handled the telling of his dreams in a more delicate way.
The summary of the picture here being “painted,” is to help us to more fully understand the depth and foundation of what later happened in Genesis chapter 50,( our text, and the fullness of this account, can be found in Genesis chapters 37-50.) The scripture history found here, is an enlightenment to us in their family’s relationships. So although Joseph could have perhaps been more discreet in his “declarations,” none-the-less, he expounded only the truth about his God given dreams.
Back to the developments of our scripture text; Jacob had sent Joseph out (dressed in his coat of many colors) to locate and see how his brothers were doing while caring for the flocks. Upon finding them, these flesh and blood brother’s hatred “festered” in their ultimate betrayal, when they resorted to selling Joseph into slavery.
Just as Jesus later prophesied, the hardest things one will face, often is from their own family. Matthew 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. After Joseph was sold to the slave traders, and sold again to be a servant in Potiphar’s house, he later then, also, (because of false accusations), was thrown into prison for several years. At the prison he was blessed with favor to have the position of being the jail keeper of the prisoners (though still one himself). A couple of prisoners, a former butler and baker, had troubling dreams to which they sought an interpreter. When Joseph successfully relayed the meanings of those dreams, he was hopeful they would remember to refer his plight to the Pharaoh, for possible release. His hopes were once again dashed, when the butler (though still alive) forgot his promise to Joseph. If there was any reason to justify being bitter, Joseph, ...would have had one.
God though, had His own plan, purpose, and timing. It was to be later yet, that the Pharaoh would also be plagued with troubling dreams. It was finally then, that the butler would remember Joseph’s “gift,”... and favor to him. He then relayed this providential gift of Joseph’s,... to the concerned Pharaoh. So then this is when, Joseph was finally called to the attention of the Pharaoh, which he had so desired. Through God’s power, Joseph successfully interpreted the Pharaoh’s dreams. They were dreams symbolizing the coming famine, to alert the need for a preparation to survive. Through this orchestrated plan of God, Joseph not only gained his freedom, but the honorable power of God’s hand on his life, leading to the coveted position of ruler, second only and also adviser, to the Pharaoh himself. This of course was all part of God’s plan to use Joseph for His honor and glory, for the preservation of His people and the people of Egypt in His great mercy.
Again it is noted, that if anyone had a reason to be bitter, it would have been Joseph for the many injustices he was accosted with. But we also see that bitterness, envy, and resentment, ...were never in his heart, as a heart that truly longed after God. Joseph literally means,..God will increase. So the cumulation of these devastating tragedies in Joseph’s life, ...was to prepare him as an instrument of God anointed increase. Unforgiveness will decrease, or tear down. Unforgiveness will diminish, whereas forgiveness will “build up.” Through Joseph, ..God would increase! His name meant forgiveness. Think about it,...the power of forgiveness, is the power to increase! Not an increase of evil, bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness, but the power of forgiveness is an increase of godliness. Godly forgiveness! He, had had, a reason to be bitter against his brothers, but when the opportunity of need presented itself, he showed the power of forgiveness instead, when he was released for God’s purpose.
Returning to the story of our text, we find in Genesis chapter 43, the brothers were eventually forced to bring their youngest brother to Egypt. This was to the great sorrow of their father Jacob, as he assumed he would also lose the only other son he had from Rachael,... not knowing Joseph was still alive. This leads us to the part of this biblical history where Joseph is finally compelled to reveal his true identity to his brothers. His father then also is sent for, for their blessed reuniting. Some years later, we see that Jacob becomes sick and dies (Genesis 48). The brothers become concerned, thinking their safety relied on their father’s presence, (Genesis 50:15) thinking that Joseph might now seek revenge. For Joseph had his father yet to be embalmed, and then to “deal” with his brothers. The brothers in fear sent a messenger to implore for their forgiveness (only out of fear for their past trespasses against him). Joseph instead showed tender, unconditional,.. forgiveness.
Forgiveness,.. adds, and increases. Unforgiveness divides, ..and decreases. If Joseph had retained an unforgiveness toward his brothers, the division caused by his family would have continued. In spite of the possibility that Joseph in his earlier years could have been more discreet or “soft,” with his sharing of his dream revelations, that “pales” in comparison to the treatment he unjustly received from his brothers. Now,..years later, his “answering” mentality, was of unconditional forgiveness.
The dubious characters of at least some of Joseph’s 11 brothers, were articulated in the “blessings” bestowed by Jacob on his sons, as was customary for this time of biblical history. Jacobs parting words for his sons (49th chapter of Genesis) warned many of how sorrow would be reaped through their offspring, for how evil, they had lived. Since these “benedictions” were given just before Jacob died, we can ascertain that the characters of at least some of the older brothers still had not changed.
Because of the power of forgiveness, this highly dysfunctional family, were able to come together as a united family. The older brothers were still guilty, yet the power of forgiveness allowed for the increase of love in their family. The burden of petitioning for pardon belonged to the older brothers, (which they did), but it was Joseph who held the key within the power of forgiveness. This would not have been possible if Joseph had indulged and retained an unforgiving spirit, ...the division and bitterness would have continued in the family.
Because of the still potent guilt of the brothers, their request to Joseph to heed the commandment of their father to forgive them of their many trespasses,.. showed their audacity. That’s how selfish their minds still worked. Pure remorse would have commanded ..nothing, but to fall on his mercy. They had not believed in the real forgiveness still from Joseph, ..after their father had passed in death. The father (Jacob) was considered the patriarch, giving the brother’s train of thought that Joseph would have to “mind his p’s and q’s,” only while their father still lived. Their faith faltered with the thought of their fate, at Joseph’s hand based on their evil actions against Joseph. The envy, hatred, selling him to slavery, deceitfully dipping his coat of many colors in blood to make it appear that a wild animal had devoured him, deceiving their father. They knew Joseph remembered, all of this. So they feared when Jacob died,.. a great punishment would await them. They no doubt considered how to approach Joseph with a pleading for their welfare and lives. In the midst of their no doubt thoughts to flee, they decided to send a messenger, expressing their complete remorse, and despairing need of of mercy.
Some potentially still had not really changed in their character, hence their desperation. This is shown by their relying on the authority of their now deceased father instead of on their own remorseful repentance,.. of what they should plead from their own hearts. Joseph no doubt recognizing their lack, could have decided to further imprison them until a more clear repentance. So now the brothers did offer themselves as servants, out of fear, though not decidedly and properly repentant, (the brother probably did not ‘really’ see themselves). Joseph in his forgiveness, assured them he of course was not God,..who is the only one to truly fear. Joseph understood more the nature of God and the nature of forgiveness. The greatest spiritual leverage comes from forgiveness. It takes a lot less force to move the needed subject. Hence the brothers needed to truly ”see” themselves. What Joseph wanted, was to preserve his family in wholeness. Joseph could have been commanding, domineering, yet in humility ,...he could not, ...judge in God’s stead.
God built His church on the power of forgiveness. Bro Goble commented by the time he had completed the study for this lesson, he was calling it “Joseph Forgiveness,” in light of how through it,.. Joseph implemented mercy.
Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
A ‘big’ forgiveness! A Joseph forgiveness! Those sins are removed completely out of our existence. There is not a repentant sinner that God cannot forgive! There is a sinner though, that God will not forgive,..an Unrepentant one. This is the sin against the Holy Ghost that is declared in His word as unforgivable. It is because the sinner will let go of it. The Holy Ghost cannot convict a soul of a sin that they will not let go of. Yet,..God remains ready to forgive, and calls us also to remain ready to forgive! Not only ready, but to practice an attitude of forgiveness. It is where no bitterness can reside. So when the fully repentant sinner petitions for it,... there will be forgiveness! Although we don’t know about the 11 brothers,..the father’s dying benediction is telling of their character lack. Some, while not as much so dishonorably, ..but too many were. Yet Joseph forgave them, ...Joseph forgiveness! (Genesis 50: 19-21).
Capitulation ; not defiantly,..but giving in. Forgiveness is not like this , but from a heart of mercy. So true forgiveness is not from a “wearing down” to capitulation. The wrong done, stands/depends on it, (forgiveness),... for wrong cannot be undone. So again, forgiveness is not of capitulation (or holding out for that one’s choice). Jesus in forgiveness, washed Judas feet although He knew that Judas would betray Him soon after. (John 13th chapter). Joseph could not as God, make his brother’s heart right,..but he could and did (through God’s grace) forgive them. Joseph benevolently declared to them that he could see the reason for God allowing their cruelty. God had a plan He brought about through the cruel circumstances. God used them to save many lives from the coming famine. Joseph’s willing forgiveness was the key to be used as God instrument in that circumstance. If Joseph had gotten revenge, that hatred would not have saved his family’s lives. Joseph was no doubt truly thrilled to show compassion in spite of his brothers dubious characters. Some were even “snake like” (based on Jacob’s discerning benedictions at his death.--Genesis 49:1-27)
Forgiveness in truth leaves implementing spiritual judgment with God. It is compassion that holds the key through forgiveness. Again, Joseph in his youth may have shown much lack of wisdom, revealing the favoritism bestowed by his father. Yet Joseph had the God given key of forgiveness, while his brothers showed the sins of their heart toward him. The brothers were the ones needing to remorsefully repent, but it was again Joseph who held the key through forgiveness. Forgiveness it is good to note, does not imply an excuse for sin, or that judgment does not begin at the house of God. I Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
For there is a problem when we confuse judgment with compassion. We don’t need to fear that compassion will excuse sin. The sinner needs to know that we reserve the right to hold and apply truth to error. To show compassion is not to excuse wrong. This can be done in such a way that the sinner will know.
Look at the power of forgiveness, how it can save souls, and societies. Look also at the world’s unforgiving legacies today. People fighting people, as if there was no power in the act of forgiveness. On the other hand, you can forgive,..but that won’t remove the problems. God will increase, or forgiveness increases, ...while unforgiveness decreases.
