Our Place!

The story of Joseph is a fascinating one. It seems that others were continually against him. His own brothers sold him to a caravan. ( Genesis 37:25-28) When he refused to lie with Potiphar's wife, she lied about him and he was put in prison. ( Genesis 39) Then there was the chief cupbearer who forgot about Joseph after himself being freed from prison. ( Genesis 40:23) In the process of these events, however, Joseph held onto his integrity and everything put under his charge was blessed by God. When ultimately raised up to the position of being second only to Pharaoh himself ( Genesis 41:40), Joseph prepared Egypt for seven years of famine and made it possible to provide for not only Egypt, but those from other places as well, including his own family. ( Genesis 45)

For some, being placed in a high position is sometimes the death of humility. When Joseph's brothers came to Egypt, he had full power to treat them as their sins deserved. Nevertheless, he did not. Joseph focused on what God had brought about through the circumstances of his life. ( Genesis 45:4-11)

After the death of his father Jacob, Joseph's brothers again became fearful of what Joseph might do. They sent word to Joseph with a message -- a supposed command from their father prior to his death -- urging Joseph to BE FORGIVING. ( Genesis 50:15-17) Then Joseph's brothers humbly approached him. Note the wording of Joseph's response to them.

We read . . .
"(18) His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, 'Behold, we are your servants.' (19) But Joseph said to them, 'Do not fear, for AM I IN THE PLACE OF GOD? (20) As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. (21) So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.' Thus HE COMFORTED THEM AND SPOKE KINDLY TO THEM." ( Genesis 50:18-19 ESV)

Joseph may have been exalted in Egypt, but his GOD WAS STILL ON THE THRONE of Heaven. Though some might easily agree Joseph had every right, he obviously did not see it that way. We too should remember that VENGEANCE BELONGS TO GOD, and not us. Even before being stated by Moses ( Deuteronomy 32:35) Joseph practiced it. Even before Paul ( Romans 12:19) and the writer of Hebrews ( Hebrews 10:30) repeated it as a principle for the Christian life, Joseph had it right. VENGEANCE is not our place, but rather BELONGS TO GOD. God knows best how to deal it out because people often do not know where to draw the line. Though retaliation may not be easy to resist, leaving it to God is the right focus to maintain! Letting God take care of such matters lifts a weight of concern from our shoulders. Being WILLING TO FORGIVE and let go relieves us of a very heavy burden and does wonders for the digestive system as well. May that blessing be ours!

Have a great day RELIEVED BY THE RELEASE IN FORGIVING!
Carl

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