Forgiveness To Family Members

I. The CONFRONTATION With His Brothers.

1. The REQUEST of Joseph

*verse 1, (he asked those PRESENT to have PRIVACY for the siblings)

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.

2. The ROARING of Joseph

*verse 2, (he COULDN'T stop himself from CRYING out loud)

And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.

3. The REVELATION of Joseph

*verses 3-4, (he SAID to the brothers that he was Joseph whom they had SOLD)

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!"

II. The CONSOLATION To His Brothers

1. The COMFORT of Joseph

*verse 5, (he told them not to REGRET the RESULT of what they did)

"And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you."

2. The CONDITION sees by Joseph

*verses 6-7, (the FACT about the FAMINE is agreviating)

"For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance."

3. The COMPREHENSION of Joseph

*verse 8, (he said God ALLOWED what happened to him for the sake of ALL of them)

“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt."

4. The COUNSEL of Joseph

*verses 9-11, (to went home to bring their ENTIRE family to EGYPT)

"Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’ “

Conclusion The forgiveness of Joseph to his brothers even though they didn't ask for it eased his heavy feelings. It is true that not forgiving those who hurt us is like being imprisoned in a prison without bars.