I have always enjoyed reading the story of Jacob, Joseph, his coat of colors and the relationship with Joseph and his brothers. It may be all the drama, twists and turns and emotion that made it such a classic play & musical (“Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat”). One of the great lessons in the story is forgiveness.

Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him. Joseph was favored by their father Jacob. Jacob also gave Joseph a special coat of colors as a gift. “Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.” Genesis 37:3-4 NIV

The jealousy of Joseph’s brothers led them to conspire to kill him. Fortunately, in a moment of clarity and discernment, they concluded a different option. “Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed. 28 So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels[b] of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.” Genesis 37:26-28 NIV

What would you do if you were Joseph? How would you feel? Expected reactions would probably include hurt, disappointment, anger and even vengeance. He must have thought about how his brothers could even do this to him. How would he ever forgive them for this? Well, he did forgive them. The book of Matthew shows us, as Jesus was teaching his disciples, Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times ~ Matt 18:21-22 NIV

Joseph finally forgave his brothers. He spoke to them, saying “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! 5 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. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” Genesis 45:4-7 NIV

God, in His divine plan, had a purpose for Joseph, and his brothers and family. After he was sold, Joseph ended up in Egypt in Pharaoh’s palace. After some time, Joseph proved himself an honorable man and rose to a high rank in the eyes of Pharaoh. This privilege and opportunity allowed him to later provide for his father and brothers. When we Focus on Jesus, and we choose to wait for Him, we understand that God truly loves us. Because of His love, He has and will forgive us of our sins. In turn, we can show love and forgiveness to others when they do harm to us.

J. W. Lee
Peace & Blessings!
Follow me ~ @jwlee3427

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