Have you ever been hurt so deeply by someone that forgiveness felt impossible? Yes, you were being stubborn. Yes, you had every excuse as to why they did not deserve your forgiveness let alone grace. Imagine being sold into slavery by your own family. Joseph didn’t have to imagine it—he lived it. But years later, when face-to-face with the same brothers who betrayed him, he didn’t seek revenge. He offered something far more powerful—grace and forgiveness.
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” Joseph’s words here don’t deny the evil done to him—but they do reveal something extraordinary: a God-centered vision of suffering, purpose, and forgiveness.
When you and I examine the life of Joseph, we can see 3 theological truths and lessons. The first lesson is: God’s sovereignty redeems what others meant to destroy. Joseph’s brothers intended to ruin him, humiliate him, and leave him for dead. But God used their evil to position Joseph to save an entire nation from famine. As New Testament believers we can remember these 2 important scriptures, Romans 8:28 – “God causes all things to work together for good…” and Acts 2:23 – Even Jesus’ crucifixion was part of God’s plan.
The next lesson is: Forgiveness begins when we see through God’s eyes. This is a tough one. Joseph forgave not because it was easy, but because he saw the bigger picture—God was at work through the pain. He had a desire to honor God more than he wanted to honor himself. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” and Colossians 3:13 says believers should be “bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also.”
Our last lesson is: Forgiveness is grace in action. Joseph didn’t just say he forgave them—he provided for them. He chose restoration over retaliation. I love how the Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 – We are called to a “ministry of reconciliation.” Reconciliation begins with God, not us. It’sthrough Christthat we are made right with God. Believers are nowambassadors, carrying the message thatforgiveness and peace with God are available. Just as God used Joseph’s betrayal and suffering to bring reconciliation to his family, He uses Christ’s sacrifice to reconcile us to Himself and entrusts us with the same ministry of grace and forgiveness.
Our encouraging takeaway: Christ redefines our pain with purpose. When we surrender and forgive, His grace brings healing to us and others.