Joseph came from an incredibly dysfunctional family. His father, Jacob, had multiple wives, and these women bore him many children through a rivalry filled with spite and insecurities (Genesis 29:31–35; Genesis 30:1–24; Genesis 35:16–20). Because Jacob loved one wife more than the others, he also loved certain children more than the others. Joseph was the favored child, which caused resentment and anger among his brothers. All of these factors eventually led to them selling Joseph into slavery when they got the chance.
Dysfunctional, indeed.
Many years later, after Joseph had risen to power in Egypt, he came face to face with his brothers, the people who had completely destroyed the life he knew, and he had a choice to make. Would he forgive or get his revenge?
When someone in your family hurts or injures you, you face the same decision. It is tempting to dwell on various ways you can make that person pay for how he hurt you — the silent treatment, spread lies about him, share his dirty secrets. The options are endless for getting revenge! But is this the way of Jesus?
The apostle Peter taught Christians to respond differently. He implored Christians to be loving and compassionate, and they should not pay “back evil for evil or insult for insult” (1 Peter 3:9). Peter calls us to follow the way of Jesus. Jesus never paid evil back with evil, nor did He ever take revenge on those who hurt or disappointed Him. Peter knew this firsthand after Jesus forgave him for denying that he even knew Him (Luke 22:54–62; John 21:15–19).
Jesus wants to forgive people when they repent and turn back from their wrong behavior. Do you?
Joseph forgave his brothers. Jesus offers forgiveness to everyone. Are you willing to forgive your family members? As you pray this week, thank God for the family He gave you. Ask Him to fill you with a desire to forgive quickly when your family members sin against you.
