Today you should read: Genesis 45
What a story! Joseph’s brothers do the unthinkable. They sell him as a slave. Now many years later the tables have turned and Joseph has an opportunity to pay them back with evil or with good.
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:9
Joseph sends everyone out of the room, breaks down and cries as he tells them his true identity. Can you imagine how they must feel? The fear? The embarrassment? The shock?
Joseph shows the character and forgiveness of God.
Don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. (v.5)
Joseph understood that often our disappointments are God’s appointments! God is sovereign, in charge of everything, and He has a plan for our lives. The power comes when we accept that and submit to His plans.
- Who does God want you to forgive and release?
- In what ways do you try to control your destiny rather than submitting your destiny to God?
- How is God leading you in your life decisions right now?
By: Tim Parsons
JumpstartCPC.com 
I’ve always wondered what it was that pleased Pharoah so greatly about this situation. Was is the reuniting of Joseph’s family, or was it more? Perhaps knowing Joseph’s background, he was impressed with his ability to forgive and repay evil for good?
Talk about your “Oh $#!% Moments”. (pardon the expression). Can you imagine the thoughts that raced through Joseph’s brothers’ minds at that moment? Will he kill each of us? Will we enslave us? Will he torture and humiliate us in front of the Egyptians? Joseph shows us the heart of God by extending mercy & grace to his brothers. Through the suffering of one man, many are saved. God’s Word is truly amazing!
For those who think the Bible is a boring book of old stories, they obviously haven’t given The Word a fair chance. You can’t create a more exciting book than Genesis!
Thank you for jumpstart today!
Thank you for your comments brothers!
I can’t even imagine what thoughts ran through the brothers’ minds at this moment. The long lost brother has been found, and instead of retribution, they are blessed beyond imagination!
Father, let us be a people that seeks to bless rather than seeks revenge!