When the great patriarch Jacob died, eleven of his sons were worried and downright frightened that Joseph, the one they had thought first to murder, then settled for selling him as a slave, would now take revenge for the harm they had meant for him. The brothers concocted a message they claimed came from Jacob, requesting Joseph to forgive and forget their misdeeds toward him. Surprisingly to the brothers, Joseph began to weep. (Genesis 50:20) His love for his family had never dimmed in all the years that had separated them from him. He had prospered and become next to Pharaoh in importance in Egypt, but his attachment to Jacob and all the brothers never died. He spoke to them the words that no one could have anticipated: “Don’t be afraid! You meant it for harm to me, but God meant it for good.” That Joseph could still love his brothers was beyond their belief. It came to them as a marvel; to each of eleven sons of Jacob the very idea of such gracious forgiveness revealed a God of love such as they had never realized, even in their father’s time. Joseph continued: Don’t be afraid; I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:21)

Centuries later Jesus surprised his disciples when he spoke kindly to them: “Don’t set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. . .Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”

Joseph’s brothers had never experienced the kind of love displayed by Joseph. They had no way even to imagine that Joseph might not desire revenge for their misuse of him. They could hardly believe in such a love. It took many more centuries for another twelve men, all descendants of Jacob, to experience an unconditional love that would spread and expand throughout the world. God’s son, Jesus, was the one who would give his very life to reveal God’s loving forgiveness to His people that the prophets foretold of a new relationship with a God who loves His creation and holds a fondness in His heart that is unquenchable toward His own.

Joseph’s love for his brothers, in spite of all they had done, astonished those brothers. God’s love for us, in spite of all that we do or fail to do, is astonishing to me. To have arms that open wide when we seek forgiveness, and a love so deep that we never reach its end, is against all odds for many of us to believe, but Joseph made sure that his family experienced it, and Jesus made sure that we could, as well.

Love in Him,

Prue