Genesis 45:2 And he (Joseph) wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. [NKJV]
Joseph finally decides to remove the veil and reveal himself to his brothers. Though Joseph recognized his brothers at the first meeting itself, his brothers didn’t recognize him. He was playing games with them since the time they had come to Egypt to buy food grains.
His brothers had already bowed to him a few times without knowing it was Joseph and his dreams had come true! They had the most difficult journeys returning from Egypt both times. But finally, when Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, his attitude towards them was different and it was evident in the way he dealt with them.
Joseph’s brothers were dismayed when they knew it was Joseph who is the prime minster of Egypt. The images of them selling Joseph to the Ishmaelites years ago, the brother pleading with them to not to do so and all the lies they told about the incident would have all flashed through their minds! But Joseph comforted his brothers saying, “do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5). Four times Joseph comforts his brothers with these words. Joseph didn’t hold any anger or grudge against his brothers! It was not that Joseph forgot whatever his brothers did to him, but he chose to forgive as he understood the divine purpose even through the harm caused to him.
We see so many times that Joseph threw himself on his brothers’ neck and wept aloud. He wept so loud that even the Egyptians and Pharaoh’s house heard it. He again kissed all his brothers and wept over them. His love towards his brothers were overflowing!
“Joseph had the power and position to persecute his brothers, but he chose forgiveness and love!”
Sometimes God lets us pass through difficult situations and trials in our life. These difficult situations and trials may come through people who intentionally harm us. When God lets us go through those seasons, we have a choice, either to forgive and love them or to stay in unforgiveness and show anger towards them. May we like Joseph, always carry the right attitude towards all our fellow human beings. Relationships are built stronger when forgiveness and love is the attitude we choose to keep!
What drives our attitude today?