I love the book of Genesis, and I really love the story of Joseph. Joseph was Jacob's favorite son, and his brothers wanted to kill him. In Genesis 37, we find that his brothers threw him in a cistern rather than killing him. They then proceeded to sell him into slavery. It was a devastating set of circumstances for a seventeen year-old boy; he was hurt physically, emotionally, and spiritually at the hands of his own brothers. Fast-forward nearly twenty years later, and these same brothers were standing before Joseph in Egypt. They were there because of the famine, but they were also there because of the providence of God. Joseph was the second-most powerful man in the world, and everyone came to him for food during the seven years of famine. In Genesis 45, after several of Joseph's plans to learn more about his brothers, he reveals himself to them. Genesis 45:3 says, "Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am Joseph!'" When he said this, they were terrified! They actually thought he would seek revenge for the wrong that had been done to him. However, Joseph goes on to say, "Come close to me. Do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God." Genesis 45:14-15 tells us that he threw his arms around his brothers and kissed them and wept over them. Joseph offered them forgiveness and love and kindness.
Fast-forward to Genesis 50, and we see that their father Jacob has died. This family buried their father Jacob in the land that God promised them. Even the Egyptians took part in the funeral procession. However, we learn a very important truth in the lives of Joseph's brothers. They had lived for many years carrying the guilt of their past sins rather than walking in the freedom of forgiveness. After the death of their father, they had a "WHAT IF" moment. They were still clinging to the guilt of their sinful actions against Joseph, even though he had already drawn them in close and shown them love and kindness and offered them forgiveness many years before. In Genesis 50:18, Joseph's brothers even threw themselves before him and said, "We are your slaves." All of this because of a "WHAT IF" moment.
How many of us continue to walk in this life clinging to the guilt of our past sins? How many of us struggle each and every day with our "WHAT IF" moments? How many of us know that God offers us forgiveness and love and kindness, yet we don't truly receive God's gifts? What Joseph's brothers needed to do with their guilt in Genesis 50 is the same thing they did with their father: they needed to bury it! Joseph tells them once again, "Don't be afraid." He goes on in Genesis 50:19-21 and says, "Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." Verse 21 finishes with these powerful words: "And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them." If you are struggling with guilt of past sins and "WHAT IF" moments, I want to remind you of what God's Word says.
1 John 1:9... 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 2:1-2... 1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only ours but for the sins of the whole world.
God doesn't want us to carry around the guilt of past sins; He doesn't want us to suffer in those "WHAT IF" moments. He wants us to come close to Him; He wants us to confess our sins. God wants to forgive us of our sins and to purify us; God wants us to walk in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. That is the truth of God's Word. We need to bury the guilt; we need to bury the "WHAT IF" moments! Thanks be to Jesus Christ - His life, death, and resurrection - we are forgiven and freed!
