How Understanding the Sovereignty of God Helps us Forgive Genesis 45 Genesis 45 “You Sold Me, but God Sent Me”

But what does it take for you to forgive someone that has grievously hurt you?

John 20:23 “If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.” “If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”

Joseph shows us how understanding the Sovereignty of God helps us forgive. “You Sold Me, but God Sent Me”

Genesis 45:1 1 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.

Genesis 45:2 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.

Genesis 45:3 3 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.

What enabled Joseph to reconcile? Compassion

What was missing in Simon Wiesenthal’s response to the dying German Soldier? Lack of Compassion

Is there anything, really, that his brothers can do to make up for what they did to Joseph? No

Is there anything really that the dying German soldier can do to make up for the war crimes he committed? No

Is there anything that the person you refuse to reconcile with can do to make up for the damage they have done to you? No

Our mission as Christian people is to interject compassion into a world whose only solution is get even.

Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Compassion is the motivation for reconciliation.

Joseph had compassion that motivated him to reconcile, do you?.

Genesis 45:5 (NIV84) 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.

Genesis 45:6 (NIV84) 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping.

Genesis 45:7–8 (NIV84) 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. 8 “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.

What enabled Joseph to forgive?

It was a clear belief in the sovereignty of God.

“You Sold Me, but God Sent Me”

Romans 8:28 (NASB95) And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Could it be if you are having trouble reconciling, if you find yourself unable to forgive, that you do not have a proper understanding of the sovereignty of God?

You see reconciliation is truly in your hands, as extending forgiveness is in your hands.