“And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.” Genesis 45:5
This love that says, “Come near” is lavished over each of the brothers. “And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him” (45:15).
This is an amazing contrast to the beginning of the story when we are told that Joseph’s brothers “could not speak peacefully to him” (37:4). For years the brothers had no interest in speaking with him. Then, when they see that he is lord in Egypt, they are silent because they’re overwhelmed by their own guilt and fear and shame.
Then Joseph strengthened his brothers by helping them to forgive themselves. “And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life” (45:5).
Have you ever said, “I know that God forgives me, but I can’t forgive myself”? The root problem here is always pride. You are putting yourself above God. You are saying, “The blood of Christ may be good enough for God, but it is not good enough for me.”
So here’s how you forgive yourself for the things that bring you guilt and shame today: “If the blood of Christ is good enough to satisfy God in relation to this sin of mine, why should it not be good enough to satisfy me?”
If you have someone who wants to reconcile with you, show him your love as Joseph did to his brothers. Help her to be at peace with herself.
