Motivation for Reconciliation

Content library Motivation for Reconciliation
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Southeast Christian Church

May 25, 2023

Earlier in the book of Genesis, we read the story of another complicated brother relationship. It’s the story of Joseph's father and uncle – Jacob and Esau. Jacob had cheated his brother Esau out of his birthright and out of his father's blessing. After Jacob cheats his brother out of these things, he flees for his life. The decades come and go, and these brothers have nothing to do with each other. But eventually, Jacob is forced to meet back up with his brother that he had hurt and greatly disrespected. Genesis 33:3-4 says, “He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.”

Joseph had more than likely heard about his uncle Esau and was probably shocked to see his dad to humble himself and bow down before this uncle as he did. But then, he sees his uncle running towards his dad and they embrace. Now, all these years later, Joseph is with his brothers who betrayed and hurt him, and he has to decide how he's going to handle what's been done to him.

Joseph is able to experience deliverance because he understood the sovereignty and the unfolding will of God. This is what allows him to extend to this kind of forgiveness because he recognizes that God can work all things together for good. God can take anything that happens and he can mold that together for his unfolding will in your life. Joseph offers his brothers forgiveness, even though they didn't ask for it. You don't have to wait on somebody to say they're sorry in order for you to extend forgiveness; that's not a precondition to you offering forgiveness.

Reflection/Discussion Question: When in your life have you seen or heard an example of reconciliation that has inspired you to forgive someone in your life?

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