15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and will pay us back in full for all of the evil that we did to him.” 16 They sent the following message to Joseph: “Before he died your father commanded us, 17 ‘You are to tell Joseph, “Please forgive the offense of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.” ’ Now, please forgive the offense of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. (Ge 50:15–17)
Jacob also went to Rachel, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. (Ge 29:30a)
Now Israel [Jacob] loved Joseph more than all his other sons, because he was the son born in his old age, and he made him a special robe. (Ge 37:3)
5 Now do not be upset or angry with yourselves for selling me to this place, since God sent me ahead of you to preserve life. … 8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord over his entire household, and ruler over the whole land of Egypt. (Ge 45:5, 8)
25 They went up from Egypt and came to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan. 26 They told him, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” He was stunned because he did not believe them. 27 They told Jacob every word that Joseph had said to them. When he saw the carts that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. (Ge 45:25–27)
Points to Ponder
Sins hurt and they leave wounds & scars. In light of this discuss the following.
Do you forgive others who've wounded you badly? Why or why not?
What is the difference between forgiveness and consequences?
How do you seek reconciliation or know if it is possible?
How do you know when to set boundaries with people who have hurt you and why would you set them?
