Genesis 41-42 / Psalm 25 "Forgiveness and Guilt"

 READ: Genesis 41-42 / Psalm 25

Verse chosen for meditation: Genesis 42:21-24

²¹ Then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” ²² And Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.” ²³ They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them. ²⁴ Then he turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.

REFLECT

In a dramatic fashion that trumps many of our TV dramas, Joseph sees his brothers again, some 20 years after they sold him to slavery. In these chapters, we also unravel God’s providence and good purpose, allowing the brothers’ hatred and vile actions which led to Joseph saving many lives not only in Egypt, but “all the earth” (Gen. 41:57) from the famine.

In this fateful reunion (albeit one-sided as Joseph’s brothers did not recognise him), Joseph was using an interpreter to speak to them. Assuming he didn’t understand their language, they spoke openly, linking their predicament to their past crimes against Joseph. This may indicate how much they were haunted by it. Joseph soaked it all in (possibly emotional about their genuine remorse), and went to weep hidden, still in disguise of his identity.

It's interesting how God was at work here. Many scholars believe if it were up to Joseph, he would have revealed himself the moment he recognised them. Instead, God brought to his memory the dreams of his youth and guided him to be an instrument to his brothers’ path from remorse to repentance. We also see the conscience of the brothers at work, addressing a sin they probably kept silent for many years.

RELATE

This exchange between brothers got me thinking about our reactions towards two scenarios:

-        facing people who have wronged and blatantly hurt us, and

-        being confronted with our own past/ongoing sins.

Joseph here is a picture of Jesus, who recognises us though we often do not recognise him. Both suffered because of the sins of others to fulfil God’s purpose, forgave, and showed grace. How hard is that? I struggle with forgiveness and still do. How many of us still feel indignant over evil schemes against us and the anger does not seem to soothe whenever it’s brought up? Worse if the other party is not remorseful or continuing sinning against us!

Even when God reveals to me His purpose in those ordeals, forgiveness still doesn’t come easy. It was only with God’s strength and recognising how He forgives, despite my continual sinning and being overwhelmed by his grace that I could work towards this forgiveness, which ultimately gives me peace. Not being able to forgive prevents us from being liberated. It haunts and hurts us more than those we are to forgive sometimes.

At the other end, we may be guilt-stricken, or not at all when confronted with our sins. It is imperative to differentiate between two kinds of guilt here. There is an unhealthy kind where we feel God does not love us because we are “too far gone”, or the kind that is induced by others or self because we did not fulfil a list of things that make us a “good Christian”. We then misunderstand what it means to be a child of God and follower of Christ. Our God wants us to be free and joyful, not riddled with guilt like this.

The other kind of guilt (like what the brothers experienced) is when the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, helping us admit first that it is sin compared against the righteousness of our God (not worldly righteousness), and giving us the conviction to work towards repentance. There are times I keep coming back to God for forgiveness, like playing an easy get-out-of-jail card, only to realise I am not truly repentant when it keeps happening! What do I take God for? Have I felt guilty enough, or at all to desire change? When the Holy Spirit urges me to finally come to terms with it, it's a sobering experience (not to mention tough), but one that frees me from the shackles of the sin. What are the sins which we take too lightly today? What are those we escape talking to God about?

REST

God, help me to forgive as you have. May your Spirit reveal to me how I have dishonoured you, and prompt me to seek transformation. Give me strength to do this and rest in your peace. Amen.

Chris Chong