A Debt Fully Cancelled

Genesis 50:15-21

Genesis 50:15–21 NLT

15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said. 16 So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. 18 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said. 19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.

INTRODUCTION:

I- REJECT THE EXPECTED RESPONSE TO OFFENSES COMMITTED. (Genesis 50:15)

Genesis 50:15 NLT

15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.

A- A unholy response to a perceived offense. (Genesis 37:1-36)

1- Joseph’s brothers hated him because he was their father’s favorite. (Genesis 37:3-4)

Genesis 37:3–4 NLT

3 Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. 4 But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him.

a. This was not Joseph’s fault.

b. Because of Jacob’s offense Joseph was mistreated.

2- Joseph’s brothers hated him because of the dreams he shared with them. (Genesis 37:5-10)

Genesis 37:5–10 NLT

5 One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. 6 “Listen to this dream,” he said. 7 “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” 8 His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. 9 Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” 10 This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?”

a. While it was not wise to share these dreams with his brothers, He had done the no real harm.

b. Their response was to capture him, strip his coat from him and throw him in a cistern.

They then plotted to kill him and sold him into slavery. (Genesis 37:19-28)

Genesis 37:19–28 NLT

19 “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. 20 “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!” 21 But when Reuben heard of their scheme, he came to Joseph’s rescue. “Let’s not kill him,” he said. 22 “Why should we shed any blood? Let’s just throw him into this empty cistern here in the wilderness. Then he’ll die without our laying a hand on him.” Reuben was secretly planning to rescue Joseph and return him to his father. 23 So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. 24 Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. 25 Then, just as they were sitting down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders taking a load of gum, balm, and aromatic resin from Gilead down to Egypt. 26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? We’d have to cover up the crime. 27 Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed. 28 So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt.

B- The response expected to a real offense. (Genesis 50:15)

Genesis 50:15 NLT

15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.

1- Joseph’s brothers were terrified when they found out that Joseph was ruling in Egypt.

2- They mistakenly assumed he would retaliate against them after their father died.

3- It is the worldly way to get even over offenses committed.

C- Reject the expected response.

(Rom 12:17–21)

Romans 12:17–21 NLT

17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

(Luke 6:27-28)

Luke 6:27–28 NLT

27 “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.

1- It takes a conscious choice.

2- It goes against all that the flesh desires.

II- RESPECT THE REQUEST FOR CANCELLATION OF THE DEBT. (Genesis 50:16-18)

Genesis 50:16–18 NLT

16 So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. 18 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.

A- Hear the request for forgiveness. (Genesis 50:16-17 )

Genesis 50:16–17 NLT

16 So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept.

1- Joseph’s brothers admitted their the sin against Joseph.

2- They humbly requested forgiveness for their sin.

B- The respect given to the request for forgiveness.

1-Tender-heartedness (Genesis 50:17 b)

Genesis 50:17 NLT

17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept.

(Eph 4:32)

Ephesians 4:32 NLT

32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

2- Recognition of unworthiness to hold a grudge. (Genesis 50:19)

Genesis 50:19 NLT

19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you?

a. We are all unworthy because of our own sin. (Romans 3:23)

Romans 3:23 NLT

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

3- Forgiveness granted.

a. The debt cancelled.

(Col 3:13)

Colossians 3:13 NLT

13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

III- RECOMPENSE GOOD FOR EVIL TO THE OFFENDING PARTY. (Genesis 50:19-20)

Genesis 50:19–20 NLT

19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

A- Begin by recognizing the good that God can work through evil. (Genesis 50:20)

Genesis 50:20 NLT

20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

1- Note what Joseph had gone through because of the sin his brothers committed against him.

a. Heartache, as he heard them plot to kill him and then as they sold him into slavery.

b. Thirteen years of slavery in a foreign country.

c. At least two years of prison for a crime he did not commit.

d. Thirteen years of loneliness and separation from his family.

2- Joseph grew stronger instead of bitter.

3- God did some things in Joseph’s life that could have not otherwise happened.

a. Developed Joseph’s spiritual life and character.

b. Developed Joseph’s managerial skills that helped him rule the land.

c. Developed in Joseph a strong faith.

2- We need to recognize that God uses all circumstances for our good. (Romans 8:28)

Romans 8:28 NLT

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

(2 Cor 4:17)

2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT

17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

a. Even when someone wrongs us and hurts us.

B- Free the one seeking forgiveness.

1- Note that Joseph had already forgiven them before they asked.

2- We are to forgive others and release their debt based on grace.

a. You don’t have to wait for a request of forgiveness to grant it.

b. God forgave us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8)

Romans 5:8 NLT

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

C- Extend total forgiveness, love and restoration. (Genesis 50:21)

Genesis 50:21 NLT

21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.

1- Do so in the same manner you wish to receive. (Matthew 6:12)

Matthew 6:12 NLT

12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

CONCLUSION:

I- REJECT THE EXPECTED RESPONSE TO OFFENSES COMMITTED.

II- RESPECT THE REQUEST FOR CANCELLATION OF THE DEBT.

III- RECOMPENSE GOOD FOR EVIL TO THE OFFENDING PARTY.