Grudges And Guilt

For the past couple of months we have been talking about some of the things in life that set us back. We've talked about betrayal, temptation, the injustices of life, just plain hard times, and bitterness. Today I'm going to wrap all of this up as we talk about what these things can cause. When we are involved in any of these, we tend to become plagued with guilt and grudges.

Now men, you can correct me if I am wrong, but most any husband will say that he drives better than his wife. We don't need instructions or directions as we drive even if we are wrong and lost.

It's like the guy that said he had told his wife many times that he was an outstanding driver in the snow. He had grown up in Northern Illinois, so he learned to handle the slick roads. Yet as they drove one of their sons to a party on a snowy evening, his wife clearly doubted the skills that he said he had. The powder was sticking to the windshield, and she asked him to please slow down. He said I rolled my eyes at her and immediately I lost control of the vehicle. Moments later, we were in a ditch, spinning the tires, and having a marital moment in front of the kids. We were stuck because I wouldn't listen, he said.

It's one thing to be momentarily stuck in the snow, but many people live their lives stuck. It's not the snow that causes the problem, but the unforgiveness that surrounds them. Nothing prevents a person from moving forward like the holding of grudges.

For those of you that are growing tired of the life of Joseph in the last chapters of the book of Genesis, this message will end our story. In this last message in this series, Joseph had seen God's plan in his brothers’ decisions that had caused so much pain in his life. Let's take one last look at Joseph and see what he can teach us about looking at our own struggles in light of the grace of God.

PRAYER

Last time we saw Joseph's brothers make their second trip to Egypt to find food and Joseph revealed himself to them. Once the brothers found out who Joseph was and the authority and power that he had, they had good reason to be afraid and tremble. They were now in the hands of a powerful Egyptian leader, and their guilt was undeniable. They thought the brother that they had done wrong would take harsh revenge and even the score once and for all.

Instead, they found Joseph to be soft-hearted and compassionate, even willing to forget their crimes of the past. Joseph didn't want revenge. He wanted his family back. So, the brothers brought their father and families and lived in Egypt under Joseph's protection for nearly 20 years.

Genesis 50:15–18 - 15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said to one another, “If Joseph is holding a grudge against us, he will certainly repay us for all the suffering we caused him.” 16 So they sent this message to Joseph, “Before he died your father gave a command:

*****17 ‘Say this to Joseph: Please forgive your brothers’ transgression and their sin—the suffering they caused you.’ Therefore, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when their message came to him. 18 His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!”

Everything was going well until the day Jacob died. As expected, the family went through the initial stages of mourning and arrangements were made for the burial in Canaan. But after the passing of their father, the brothers began to wonder if Joseph's love would now turn to hate.

The brothers had a good reason to feel paranoid. What they had done to Joseph all those years ago was awful. They had left him for dead and then sold him into slavery. But in Joseph's mind, their fears were unfounded. Still, they sent a message to Joseph, explaining that before he died, their father had requested, “please forgive your brothers” transgression and their sin - the suffering they caused you ( 17 ).

The thing is, we don't actually know if Jacob said that, but the brothers used it to regain their brother's good graces. They humbled themselves before him, saying, “we are your slaves.” True to his past, Joseph was full of grace toward them. He had truly buried the past.

I came across a story that goes along with this passage. It’s about a lady named Lisa. Lisa was a successful woman in the eyes of many. She had well-behaved kids, her own thriving business, and a home with her husband on 50 acres. Sadly though, Lisa felt anything but inner joy and satisfaction.