From Betrayal to Blessing

Genesis 45:5

Summary: In Genesis 45:5, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers who betrayed him, showing forgiveness and bringing blessing instead of revenge.

Application: This passage shows us the power of forgiveness and reconciliation even in the face of betrayal. It challenges us to let go of bitterness and seek reconciliation in our own lives.

Teaching: The story of Joseph teaches us about God's sovereignty over all circumstances, His ability to bring good out of evil, and the importance of forgiveness in relationships.

How this passage could point to Christ: Just as Joseph forgave his brothers and brought them blessing, Christ forgave us of our sins through His sacrifice on the cross, offering us reconciliation and eternal blessings.

Teaching in a Sentence: Forgiveness is a powerful tool for reconciliation and blessing, reflecting God's sovereignty and Christ's sacrificial love.

Recommended Study: For further study on forgiveness and reconciliation in the Bible, explore resources in your Logos library on the theology of forgiveness, the life of Joseph as a type of Christ, and the concept of God's sovereignty in human relationships. Delve into the cultural context of ancient near eastern family dynamics to understand the significance of Joseph's forgiveness towards his brothers.

1. Forgiveness: First Step to Blessing

Genesis 45:5a

Distressed in the Hebrew pertains to a state of emotional distress and sorrow.

Forgiveness is the release, on the part of the creditor of offended party, of any expectation that a debt will be repaid of that an offender will receive punishment for an offense. When describing the removal of an inappropriate offense in this way, the removal does not condone the behavior or suggest approval for the offense. Forgiveness can also be expressed by stating that one will not remember the offense or count

The journey to forgiveness begins when you stop “counting” how many times person has hurt you, and acknowledge the truth that they did hurt you.

Forgiveness frees you from the debt of others begins the healing process….and it free other from carrying around the guilt of their betrayal.

2. Sovereignty: Seeing God's Hand

Genesis 45:5b

Maybe focus on Joseph's perspective of God's sovereignty - that what his brothers intended for evil, God intended for good. This can help congregants understand that even in the midst of betrayal and suffering, God is at work, using everything for our good and His glory, in the same way, that Christ's suffering brought about the greatest blessing of all: our salvation.

Sovereignty is God’s all-encompassing rule of the the entire universe. It is God’s right to do with us as he please for his benefit and for our good.

God’s sovereignty sets us up to see HIM at work in our favor….

God planned for Joseph to be present though Rachel was barren…Genesis 35:24

Genesis 35:24 ESV

The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin.

God allowed the brothers to have a “family meeting” after Jospeh shares his dreams….Genesis 37:18-22

Genesis 37:18–22 ESV

They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father.

God permitted the brothers to throw Joseph in the pit and to be sold to the Midianite slave traders Genesis 37:24-28

Genesis 37:24–28 ESV

And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

God allowed Joseph to be sold into Potiphar’s house….Genesis 39:1-6

Genesis 39:1–6 ESV

Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field. So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.

God permitted Joseph to be tossed in prison….Genesis 39:19-23

Genesis 39:19–23 ESV

As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.

God permitted Joseph’s presence before Pharoah….Genesis 41:14

Genesis 41:14 ESV

Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh.

3. Blessing: Beyond Betrayal

Genesis 45:5c

Consider concluding with the transformative power of forgiveness and reconciliation. Highlight how Joseph's act of forgiving his brothers paved the way for a family's restoration and blessing. This mirrors the Christian experience of reconciliation with God through Christ, encouraging believers to seek reconciliation in their own lives, trusting in God's plan for redemption and blessing.

Jospeh had been in Egypt since he was 17 years old…ripped from his family by his jealous siblings, thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, rose to house manager, became a convict and forgotten man….yet in all of this this Joseph forgave his brothers….

What This Means in 2024

Your greatest agitators are those you call family

Forgiveness creates the door for deliverance from emotional pits.

Joseph lost both coats he wore but it did not change the fact that he was still favored…..