When Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke harshly to them. (Genesis 42:7)
God is in the business of making you whole, and he won’t stop at any cost in order to make that happen. If God didn’t spare the death of his own Son, to bring you on that journey toward wholeness, then what makes you think he will stop at anything else? Like a physician who assesses a life threatening disease in your body, and recommends that you be put through some of the most extreme treatments, all so that you can live. So it is with God. And many times it has to do with old wounds that have never been properly healed. This is what seems to have happened for Joseph in today’s chapter.
While reading this chapter, I wondered if Joseph ever reconciled what his brothers did to him. The writer of Genesis gives us a clue into how Joseph was feeling after becoming second in command and having his first two sons, as Joseph expressed “God has made me forget all my hardship and my whole family” (41:51). Did he actually forgive them or did he just bury it under all his new successes? It’s also interesting that when Joseph recognized his brothers “he spoke harshly to them” (42:7). It’s like that past wound was triggered that resulted in anger. And then, Joseph decides to lock up all his brothers in prison, only to change his mind three days later? (42:16-18). Was God working on Joseph’s heart between verses 16-18?
Either way, the full account of Joseph and his brothers is a powerful message of reconciliation for us all. And this is primarily the message of Scripture. God chose to forgive his perpetrators! And not only to forgive, but to bless! And this gospel works powerfully in our hearts to forgive those who’ve hurt us.
And so, have you made things right in your heart with those who’ve hurt you? God wants healing and wholeness for you. God may not have you meet face-to-face with that person, but he will certainly have you meet with him to make things right. Perhaps, God wants you to seek help from a godly brother, or sister, or Christian therapist on how to forgive. God cares deeply about you and he doesn’t want your wounds left untreated. Let the Good Physician do what he does best. Let him heal you.