Hard Times
Lesson 33 – Joseph, He Brings Reconciliation to His Family – Gen. 43-50
Illustration:A childhood accident caused poet Elizabeth Barrett to lead a life of semi-invalidism before she married Robert Browning in 1846. There’s more to the story. In her youth, Elizabeth had been watched over by her tyrannical father. When she and Robert were married, their wedding was held in secret because of her father’s disapproval. After the wedding the Brownings sailed for Italy, where they lived for the rest of their lives. But even though her parents had disowned her, Elizabeth never gave up on the relationship. Almost weekly she wrote them letters. Not once did they reply. After 10 years, she received a large box in the mail. Inside, Elizabeth found all of her letters; not one had been opened! Today those letters are among the most beautiful in classical English literature. Had her parents only read a few of them, their relationship with Elizabeth might have been restored.
Daily Walk, May 30, 1992.
Introduction
1. Aim: To lead the people to understand how to bring reconciliation in among their family, friends and neighbors.
2. Explanation of the Aim: Joseph teaches us how to get over any feelings of resentment by exhibiting a reconciling attitude toward his abusive brothers. The Lord is eager to help us bring reconciliation between opposing parties by the power of His love, grace and truth. Once we come to appreciate how much Christ has forgiven us then we are free to forgive others regardless of the severity of an offense. Through the leading of the Holy Spirit we are able to allow Christ’s forgiveness to penetrate to every layer of our mind, will and emotions. Being willing to forgive others frees us from the self-destructive tendency of being critical, angry and fearful of others.
Illustration: The Civil War was carnage. Then Jefferson Davis of the Confederacy died. And Ulysses Grant of the Union died. Their widows, Varina Davis and Julia Grant, settled near each other. They became closest of friends.
Source Unknown.
3. The Bible Story: When Joseph’s brothers return to Egypt to face Joseph they feared that their younger brother might hold a grudge against them. They said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back fro all the wrongs we did to him?” (Gen. 50:15) People with a guilty conscience show their own inability to seek reconciliation by the leading and help of God. Whenever we think that someone has something against us Jesus said, “Before you present your offering at the altar, first go and be reconciled with your brother.” (Matt. 5:23,24)
Reconciliation is a priority for Godly people. Joseph not only forgives his brothers before they ask him, but he says, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your people. And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.” (Gen. 50:19-21) Follow the fine example of Joseph in demonstrating a Christ like attitude in all kinds of reconciliation ministries.
4. Prepare to Teach: The INTRODUCTION gives the people an opportunity to consider some of the problems of failing to be reconciled with someone. Ask the people what are some of the dangers of failing to seek reconciliation with a school-mate, a brother or a sister? Discuss what is involved in seeking reconciliation with another person?
The BIBLE STORY explains how Joseph demonstrates a Christ like attitude of reconciliation on the human as well as spiritual dimensions of life. Joseph knew that God could even use the wrath of men for His greater praise, purpose and deliverance of millions of lives.
THE MEANING FOR OUR LIVES allows the people to make applications from the lesson to how they will seek reconciliation with other people. Ask the people if they know of someone who they have had a quarrel or fight with? Find out if the people can give a good definition of the word reconciliation (To make friends with someone who you have been estranged or separated from; to harmonize people who have opposing viewpoints) Ask the people what steps they need to take in order to be reconciled with those they hate or with people who have wronged them?
Introduction
Give the people an opportunity to consider some of the problems of failing to be reconciled with someone (I.E. hostility, anger, resentment, bitterness, jealousy, envy, fear, estrangement, bickering, back-biting, divisions, factions, slander etc).
Ask the people what are some of the dangers of failing to seek reconciliation with a school-mate, a brother or a sister? Discuss what is involved in seeking reconciliation with another person? How did Joseph and Jesus demonstrate Godly reconciliation?
The Bible Story
1. Godly people know how to practice the ministry of reconciliation in the gracious way as Christ reconciled us to Himself. Even though people may not deserve forgiveness they are offered free mercy because of the love of God that grows in our hearts. True reconciliation does not demand restitution be paid before harmony is restored. Joseph demonstrates great compassion and confirms his reconciliation and affection for his fearful brothers at a time when they needed him most.
2. Fearful of what Joseph might do to them they made up a letter and sent it on ahead to Joseph that said, “Your father left these instructions before he died: (Notice that guilty men will use all kinds of deception to escape from having to offer genuine repentance) “This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly. Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father. When their message came to him, Joseph wept.” (Gen. 50:16,17)
3. It is most important to realize that any reconciliation must begin by asking God for forgiveness before seeking man’s forgiveness. The brothers were more afraid of men than God. Once a person learns to fear the Lord and obeys His commandments they will not need to fear men.
4. Finally when the brothers came before Joseph they bowed in front of him saying, “We are your slaves.” (Gen. 50:18) Now the brothers publicly acknowledged that they were completely subject to Joseph, but notice they did not verbally ask for forgiveness. People who are genuinely humble, contrite and repentant will make confess their sins to the elders so they can be restored. (James 5:14-16)
5. Proud people remain stubborn resistant to acknowledging their sins. Until people are willing to take responsibility for their sins they will not be able to allow the cleansing ministry of the Bible to cleanse their conscience. Motives are very important to God. Until people are willing to cleanse their mind, will and emotions from any impure motives they will not be able to please God in all aspects.
6. Let us follow the good example of Joseph who refused to harbor any malice toward his brothers. When we hate someone or fail to forgive them in our heart we are only doing damage to ourselves not to anyone else. People who fail to forgive others fail to submit their will, emotions and mind to the Lord’s sovereign control. Joseph was used of God because he acknowledged that everything he had belonged to the Lord.
7. Joseph believed that God could do more with his mind, will and emotions than if he continued to jealously hold on to the reigns for his selfish interests. Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful for you will be shown mercy.” (Matt. 5:7) It only makes sense that if we fail to show mercy to others, the Lord might also neglect to show mercy to us in future circumstances. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
8. Joseph tells his brothers to look to God for forgiveness, cleansing and for the sovereign power to turn evil into good. Only the Lord is able to orchestrate circumstances so that he can turn a tragedy into a triumph for His people. God is the only one who can work all things together for good for those who love and obey Him. Learn to make your peace with God and then it will be easier to make peace with others.
9. When you ask someone for forgiveness do not put them in the place of God. Realize that some people will refuse to forgive you of your offenses. Do not worry as you have done what God asks you to do. Even Joseph rhetorically replies to his brothers, “Am I in the place of God?” (Gen. 50:19) Some people fail to make the distinction between serving God and trying to play the role of God. These authoritarian leaders fail to remember that there is only one God and one mediator, the man Christ Jesus.
10. Remind everyone involved in the reconciliation process that God sovereign power is able to use every failure of man for His greater purposes as long as He trust Him. Help people to get beyond their feelings of regret, resentment or bitterness. Pray together for God’s forgiveness to fill every aspect of peoples’ lives so they are not tempted to bring up the issue at another time.
11. The Holy Spirit will help you avoid reacting out of hurt feelings. God will help you overcome the tendency to let subjective emotions distort your objective decision-making abilities. The Holy Spirit has a way of transforming our mind, will and emotions to Christ like status if we will only let Him.
Memory Verse: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Gen. 50:20)
The Meaning for Our Lives
12. Encourage the people to make applications from the lesson as to how they will seek reconciliation with other people. Ask the people if they know of someone who they have had a quarrel or fight with? Find out if the people can give a good definition of the word reconciliation (To make friends with someone who you have been estranged or separated from; to harmonize people who have opposing viewpoints)
Ask the people what steps they need to take in order to be reconciled with those they hate or with people who have wronged them?
Response:
Song: “He forgave my sins in Jesus name. I’ve been born again in Jesus name. And in Jesus name I come to you. To share God’s love and He told me to. He said, Freely, freely you have received. Freely, freely give. Go in my name and because you believe. Others will know that I live.
Prayer: Ask the Lord to help do everything God tells you to do in bringing about reconciliation with those around you.
At Home: Ask your family and friends what they do to bring about reconciliation in their relationships?
