Foundations Week 5, Day 3

Scripture Read:  Genesis 42 - 43
Title: The Road to Reconciliation
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H.E.A.R. Entry
(H) Highlight verse::  "Joseph answered, Pharaoh, 'It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable response."  Genesis 41:16

(E) Explain: When the famine was in full swing, Joseph’s father heard that there was grain for sale in Egypt.  Apparently his sons were a little mystified as to how they should deal with this famine.  He says, “Why do you look at one another?”  This is another way of saying, “Why are standing around doing nothing when there is a lot of work that needs to be done?”  He sends his sons to Egypt, but leaves his youngest Benjamin behind.  Apparently Jacob did not trust his sons with Benjamin, since he was Joseph’s brother.  He was afraid they would allow something bad happen to Benjamin    The pain of losing his son Joseph is still real for Jacob, it’s been 17 plus years and he has not forgotten what happened to Joseph.
The brothers make the trek to Egypt and unbeknownst to them their brother Joseph is still alive and thriving; in fact he is now the governor of the land.  When his brothers approached Joseph they did not recognize him but Joseph knew them.  They bowed before him and Joseph remembered his dream of many years ago.   
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(A) Application: The journey to reconciliation has begun for Joseph..  This a beautiful story of compassion, grace and forgiveness.  This journey could only happen through the power of God and the Holy Spirit.  Joseph chose to forgive because he knew it was the right thing to do, but the power of the Spirit is how he able to forgive. 
 I/we can certainly learn a lot from Joseph when it comes to forgiveness.  There is often great difficulty in showing forgiveness to someone who has wronged us.  I am sure some of you have had painful experiences and extending forgiveness is not even on your radar.  So I am not going to write about how easy it is to forgive… but I will tell you that through the power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit you can forgive… even if you think you can’t.  

(R) Respond:  God, people can be mean and showing forgiveness can be hard.  Help me to know how to show forgiveness to those who have wronged me.  Help me to seek forgiveness from those I have wronged.  May I model myself after Joseph and extend forgiveness, even when I do not think I can.