Forgiven People Forgive
Week 2 — Forgiveness Entrusts the Past to God
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Fear expects revenge.
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Forgiveness refuses God's throne.
Joseph said … "am I in the place of [תַּחַת (ta-chat)] God?" (Ge 50:19)
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Forgiveness ___________ the ___________ about evil.
20 You [אַתֶּם (ah-tem)] meant [חָשַׁב (cha-shav)] evil [רָעָה (ra-ah)] against me [עָלַ֖י (ah-lī)] ... (Ge 50:20a)
In the Bible, evil is whatever ________________ God's good _________.
Sinful actions ___________ in the ___________.
Your heart is the command _____________ of your __________.
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate [שָׂטַם (sa-tam)] us and will pay [שׁוּב (shoov) … וְהָשֵׁ֤ב יָשִׁיב֙] us back in full for all of the evil [רָעָה (ra-ah)] that we did to him.” (Ge 50:15)
You cannot truly _______________ what you _____________ to honestly acknowledge.
Biblical forgiveness is _____________ than emotional ______________.
Because Christ has ___________ our guilt, we no longer have to _____________ between truth and forgiveness. In Christ, we can _________ the truth about sin and still _______________ completely.
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Forgiveness _____________ God's _______________ purpose.
20 You meant [חָשַׁב (cha-shav)] evil against me, but God meant [חָשַׁב (cha-shav)] it for good [טוֹבָה (tō-vah)], to bring this to pass and to keep many people alive, as it is this day. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid. I will nourish you and your little ones.” He comforted them and spoke to them in a kind way. (Ge 50:20–21)
… God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. (Jas 1:13b)
9 Remember the former things that took place long ago, for I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is no one like me. 10 I am the one who announces the final outcome already in the beginning. I announce ahead of time things that have not yet been done. I am the one who says, “My plan will stand, and I will do everything I want to do.” (Is 46:9–10)
What Joseph means when he says, “God meant it for good,” is, “God's _______________ for the entire _______________ of Joseph's ____________________ was good.”
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose, (Ro 8:28)
This man, who was handed over by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, you killed by having lawless men nail him to a cross. (Ac 2:23)
God's _______________ for the entire _______________ of Christ's ___________________ was to save the world—to _________ you.
God is never the _____________ of evil. Human beings are _______________________ for the evil they commit. Yet God remains ___________________ over history and accomplishes His _____________ purposes through it.
In your seed all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice. (Ge 22:18)
Joseph didn't trust because he could _______ God's _________. He trusted because he _________ God's ___________________.
Forgiveness ____________ beyond withholding _____________________. It ___________ the _________ of the offender.
Points to Ponder
- What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
- What two different intentions does Joseph describe in Genesis 50:20?
- How did Joseph demonstrate that his forgiveness was genuine?
- Why is it important that Joseph openly calls his brothers' actions "evil"?
- How does Genesis 50:20 help us understand God's providence?
- Why do many people think forgiveness requires forgetting or pretending nothing happened? How does Joseph correct that misunderstanding?
- Joseph could only see God's purpose by looking backward. How should that shape the way Christians think about present suffering?
- Is there a painful event in your life that you have concluded was simply meaningless? How does Genesis 50:20 challenge that conclusion without minimizing your suffering?
- How does the cross give you confidence that God can be trusted when His providence is difficult to understand?
Homework: Genesis 50
