In the book of Genesis, we read about a man named Joseph. Joseph's brothers were very jealous of him and wanted to kill him. "But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. "Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other. "Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams" (Genesis 37:18-20). The brothers ended up selling Joseph into the hands of foreigners who were slave-traders. He was treated poorly and falsely accused. Then, "Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined" (Genesis 39:20).
While in prison, Joseph helped another prisoner, relaying the interpretation of his dream from God, assuring the prisoner that he would be restored to his place of service to the king. In return, Joseph asked that the prisoner remember him. "But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here, I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon" (Genesis 40:14-15). But "the chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him" (Genesis 40:23).
Can you imagine how you might have felt if you were Joseph? Betrayed by family, falsely accused, wrongly imprisoned, forgotten for years. And yet Joseph forgave them all, from his heart.
Notice some of the contrasts between Joseph and his brothers. His brothers pushed Joseph away, but Joseph drew them near (Genesis 45:4). The brothers treated Joseph harshly; he treated them lovingly. They pushed Joseph down into a pit, but he drew them up out of their land of famine into the place of plenty (Genesis 46). They stripped Joseph of his coat, but "to each of them, he gave new clothing" (Genesis 45:22). They wanted to kill Joseph, but he saved their lives (Genesis 50:20).
Joseph was eventually exalted to the right hand of Pharaoh. To the end, he was good to his brothers even though they had done evil to him. The reason Joseph could forgive is that he understood God's plan in all events, including the sin of his brothers against him. "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them" (Genesis 50:20-21).
Joseph's life story is given to show you the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Joseph's life, we see one who was loved by his father but hated by his brothers, sold into the hands of Gentiles for pieces of silver, treated badly, falsely accused, unjustly punished, and placed between two criminals. Then he was raised out of the pit and exalted to the right hand of Pharaoh, where he became the lord and savior of all who came to him.
Oh, dear friend, rejoice that Jesus is greater than Joseph. Jesus forgives your every offense, loves and cares for you, and provides for your every need, but also gives you His Spirit which allows you to forgive others, love your enemies, and bless those that curse you.