But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?” – Genesis 50:19

We see in Genesis chapter 42 that the famine which Joseph predicted had become severe, and his father Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain for food. They, of course, encountered Joseph, who was now an immensely powerful man in Egypt. We might think that Joseph would now pay his brothers back for what they did to him – and he does seem to harass them for a while, as we see in chapters 43 and 44.

But as we see in chapter 45, Joseph can’t take it any longer and reveals himself to them. Joseph comforts them and lets them know that God put him in Egypt to preserve life (Gen 45:5). What follows then is that the entire family of Jacob relocates to Egypt where they are safe and prosper (chapters 46-47).

Eventually the patriarch Jacob dies and once again the brothers come to Joseph and repent of their deeds against Joseph. As recorded in Genesis 50:19, Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?”

Joseph had already told them that what they did to him God had used for good. He did not hold any animosity toward his brothers and had forgiven them in his mind. And besides, he was not in the place of God to punish people for their sins.

We should be like Joseph and forgive others who have sinned against us – whether they confess or not. Most importantly though, we should confess our sins to God and ask forgiveness in Jesus’ name.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we pray that we can forgive each other for wrongs. And we especially pray that You will forgive our sins in Jesus’ name.

Daily Reading: Ephesians 4

– Contributed by Paul Obermann