Joseph and His Brothers
Research
Change is good
Joseph needed to forgive. His brothers needed to confess and be forgiven. And their father needed to forgive, forget, and lay down his favoritism. And, in chapters 43–45, we find that God, through extraordinary difficulties and surprises, performed the work! And again, this family serves as an example to us. It reminds us, not only that we need changing, but also that God wants to change us—and that God has many ways of getting our attention and melting our hearts. Notice three more family portraits, this time of godly change.
Joseph went from frustration to forgiveness
Finally, after all his angry posturing towards his brothers, Joseph broke down (45:1–5). He revealed his identity to them. And he urged them not to be afraid, for they were forgiven, and should forgive themselves (44:5). What was the catalyst? The example of Judah’s love (44:18–34). Just as his brothers had seen the change in their father and been changed themselves, so Joseph saw the change in Judah and his hard heart was broken wide open. Judah (and the other brothers), who had so mistreated him, was now willing to lay down his life for his youngest brother. That kind of love catches people’s attention. And that is a good word for those of us who have family members and friends who are hard-hearted towards us or towards the gospel. Keep loving. Keep sharing the good news … and watch God eventually break through!