Revenge

Have you ever been furious with someone for something they did to you?  All you can think of is "revenge".  You want to retaliate to get even.

In the book of Genesis, Joseph could have easily had his brothers killed for all that they did to him.

Joseph was his father's favorite son and he knew it.  He was overconfident about his life.  He even had a dream that his brothers would one day bow down to him.  Of course, they were furious when they heard this.  No way would they ever bow down to their younger brother.  Even though God may have a unique plan for your life, He doesn't want you to brag about it.  In God's timing all things will take place.

Because of Joseph's bragging and thinking that he was better than the rest of his family, his brothers sold him into slavery.  Through the trials that Joseph went through when he was taken to Egypt, Joseph learned a lot.  He was betrayed, deserted by his family, exposed to sexual temptation, went to prison for many years and was forgotten, all because of his brothers.

Through all of these situations, Joseph became the governor of Egypt.  He had spent years learning to trust God and knowing that God was in control even while he was being tempted and locked up in prison.

Joseph's perfect opportunity came while he was behind bars.  He was able to interpret the King's dream.  God had opened the doors by Joseph telling the king that there would be a famine and that God had provided the plan to help Egypt to survive the famine.

Joseph prepared Egypt for the famine by storing grain during the years of abundance.  At the end of the seven years of abundance, the rest of the world was not ready for the famine. 

Remember Joseph's brothers?  They were not ready for the famine.  They had heard that Egypt had grain to sell.  Off to Egypt they went to purchase the grain.  Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.  Remember it has been thirteen years and Joseph has changed.  He looks more like an Egyptian than an Israelite.

Through many events, Joseph finally revealed himself to his family.  Of course, they were terrified.  They remembered what they had done to his brother.  They had sold him into slavery.

This is what Joseph told his brothers:  "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.  And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them."  Genesis 50:19-21.

Wow!  Can you imagine telling someone who had harmed you "don't be afraid"?  That is why God's way is so much more powerful than what your way would be.   Joseph forgave his brothers for selling him into slavery and reassured them that he would provide for them and their family.  He demonstrated how God graciously accepts us even though we don't deserve it.  God forgives us, so we need to forgive others.

Joseph trusted God and was willing to wait for Him to bring good out of the bad situations.

Next time someone does something evil to you and you want revenge, stop and think about what Joseph did.  Truthfully, stop and think what Christ did for you!