Then he sent his brothers on their way and they left. He said to them, “As you travel don’t be overcome with fear.”
Genesis 45:24 NET
The story of Joseph is one that, in many ways, mirrors the story of Jesus. Both include rejection, slavery/death, resurrection to a place of power, forgiveness, and salvation.
Joseph’s brothers were guilty of selling him as a slave and then lying to their father about what had happened to Joseph. Yet, despite their guilt, Joseph was able to see God’s hand at work in what they did. God used their evil action to bring about salvation for Israel. And Joseph forgave his brothers for what they had done to him.
Accepting Forgiveness
But there is another side to forgiveness. Can the forgiven one forgive themselves for what they did? Can they really believe they have been forgiven? Joseph told his brothers not to be overcome with fear as they returned home to bring their families back to Egypt and the salvation awaiting them there. In other translations, Joseph tells them not to quarrel along the way home. But they both amount to the same thing.
Joseph told them, “I have forgiven you. Don’t fear what I might do to you in the future. Don’t argue among yourselves about your past actions. And don’t live in fear. Be free of it.” That Joseph’s brothers never fully accepted his forgiveness was apparent some years later. After Jacob died, their fear surfaced again (Gen. 50:15) and Joseph had to reassure them again.
As followers of the Lord Jesus, he has forgiven us of our sins and rebellion against him. But it can sometimes be hard to accept that forgiveness. Don’t dwell on your past and how unworthy you might feel. Your past does not define you. You are forgiven.
And he will forgive us when we fail him now. Confess your sin to him and experience his forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Accept his forgiveness and revel in his love for you. You are his dearly loved child and have no reason to fear.
