The most important moment wasn’t when Joseph’s brothers begged for forgiveness, but rather the moment when Joseph kissed them. The critical change wasn’t the change of their heart, but rather the forgiveness in the heart of Joseph.
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Scripture
Genesis 45:15
“And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him.”
Observation
The story of Joseph is an incredible saga of betrayal, tragedy, and ultimately God’s redemption. This amazing outcome was only possible because of Joseph’s forgiveness toward his brothers–and yet there still seems to be something missing. We read Joseph’s great moment of revelation when his identity becomes known to his brothers…but where is the moment when they begged his forgiveness, the moment when they showed their remorse and groveled at his feet? Whatever that moment was, it is summed up in the simple phrase “…after that his brothers talked with him.”
The most important moment wasn’t when they begged for forgiveness, but rather the moment when Joseph kissed them. The critical change wasn’t the change of their heart, but rather the forgiveness in the heart of Joseph.
Application
I’ve never been sold into slavery, but I’ve faced betrayal and broken trust. I’ve spent seasons waiting for vindication and wishing to hear an apology. I’ve spent way too much time in those seasons in fact, not recognizing that the thing which needed to change was in my own heart. If I am going to allow God to be glorified in me through those moments, then I must be ok with the response of my adversary being reduced to a mere footnote and passing comment–because the most critical thing is not the apology I do or don’t receive, but rather the condition of my own heart.
Prayer
God, thank you for your forgiveness in my life. Help me to forgive freely, and allow you to accomplish the things you desire in my heart–instead of allowing my life story to hinge on the words, attitudes, and actions of others.
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