Forgiveness and Trust in God's Sovereignty in Joseph's Story

Joseph's story in Genesis illustrates the complex interplay between forgiveness and trust in God's sovereignty. When Joseph's brothers beg for forgiveness, he responds with compassion, saying, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Genesis 50:20) ^[1]. This statement encapsulates the theological theme that underlies Joseph's narrative: that God's providence can bring about good even from human evil.

The biblical account of Joseph's life demonstrates how he trusted in God's sovereignty despite facing numerous challenges, including being sold into slavery by his brothers and wrongly imprisoned ^[9]. Joseph's trust is evident in his interpretation of the dreams of Pharaoh's officials while in prison, showcasing his faith that God was still at work in his life ^[10]. This trust is rooted in his understanding of God's character, as expressed in Psalms, "But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared" ^[2].

The concept of forgiveness is central to Joseph's story. When his brothers come to Egypt seeking help during the famine, Joseph forgives them and provides for their needs. His forgiveness is not based on their deserving it but on his understanding of God's sovereign plan ^[6]. As one commentary notes, "The certainty of God's will is the basis for forgiveness and reconciliation with those who do wrong, cause hurt, or bring harm" ^[6].

Joseph's forgiveness of his brothers is also reflected in his actions towards them. He weeps when they ask for forgiveness, demonstrating the emotional depth of his response (Genesis 50:17) ^[1]. This forgiveness is not limited to Joseph's personal feelings but is also an expression of his trust in God's sovereignty. As a Protestant academic commentary observes, "Joseph held no grudge because he accepted what had happened as God's work and saw the good that had resulted" ^[7].

The theme of trust in God's sovereignty is also evident in the writings of Flavius Josephus, who notes that Joseph "firmly believing that God, who knew the cause of his affliction, and the truth of the fact, would be more powerful than those that inflicted the punishments upon him" ^[3]. This trust is a hallmark of Joseph's character and is reflected in his actions throughout his narrative.

In the context of Joseph's story, forgiveness and trust in God's sovereignty are intertwined. As one tradition interprets, Jacob's prayer for his sons, "God Almighty give you mercy before the man," demonstrates his resignation to God's will and his trust in God's providence ^[8]. This trust is not unique to Joseph or Jacob but is a characteristic of the faithful, as seen in various biblical accounts and commentaries ^{[4, 5]}.

The narrative of Joseph's life serves as a powerful example of how forgiveness and trust in God's sovereignty can be lived out in the face of adversity. As the story concludes, Joseph's forgiveness of his brothers and his trust in God's plan are seen as a testament to the redemptive power of God's sovereignty.

Sources

Genesis “‘You shall tell Joseph, “Now please forgive the disobedience of your brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ Now, please forgive the disobedience of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. -- Genesis 50:17”
Psalms “But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared. -- Psalms 130:4”
Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 5, section 1: . What Things Befell Joseph In Prison. 1. Now Joseph, commending all his affairs to God, did not betake himself to make his defense, nor to give an account of the exact circumstances of the fact, but silently underwent the bonds and the distress he was in, firmly believing that God, who knew the cause of his affliction, and the truth of the fact, would be more powerful than those that inflicted the punishments upon him:—a proof of whose providence he quickly received; for the keeper of the prison taking notice of his care and fid”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Joy of God Over His People, The — Greatness of, described -- Zep 3:17. On account of their Repentance. -- Lu 15:7,10. Faith. -- Heb 11:5,6. Fear of him. -- Ps 147:11. Praying to him. -- Pr 15:8. Hope in his mercy. -- Ps 147:11. Meekness. -- Ps 149:4. Uprightness. -- 1Ch 29:17; Pr 11:20. Leads to him Prosper them. -- De 30:9. Do them good. -- De 28:63; Jer 32:41. Deliver them. -- 2Sa 22:20. Comfort them. -- Isa 65:19. Give them the inheritance. -- Nu 14:8. Illustrated -- Isa 62:5; Lu 15:23,24. Exemplified Solomon. -- 1Ki 10:9.”
Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 45:5: 45:5-8 God . . . sent me is the central message of the account of Jacob’s family (37:2). As the Lord had told Abraham, he was leading the Israelites into Egypt (15:13). God had sent Joseph to Egypt to prepare for his family’s rescue during the famine. In what has become a classic statement of God’s sovereignty, Joseph explained that God had been working through all of the circumstances and human acts to bring about his plan. The certainty of God’s will is the basis for forgiveness and reconciliation with those who do wrong, cause hurt, or bring harm. If people do”
Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 45:14: 45:14-15 Joseph was reunited with his brothers—first with Benjamin and then with the rest. Their previous hatred and jealousy of Joseph (37:4-11) had come to an end. The brothers experienced forgiveness from God and from Joseph. Far from commanding his brothers to bow down to him (see 42:6-7), Joseph welcomed them. Joseph held no grudge because he accepted what had happened as God’s work and saw the good that had resulted (see 50:14-21). This is how wisdom rules: The wise leader will forgive and restore (see study note on 37:2–50:26).”
Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 43:14: God Almighty give you mercy before the man--Jacob is here committing them all to the care of God and, resigned to what appears a heavy trial, prays that it may be overruled for good.”
Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 39:19: Here is, 1. Joseph wronged by his master. He believed the accusation, and either Joseph durst not make his defence by telling the truth, as it would reflect too much upon his mistress, or his master would not hear it, or would not believe it, and there is no remedy, he is condemned to perpetual imprisonment, Gen 39:19, Gen 39:20. God restrained his wrath, else he had put him to death; and that wrath which imprisoned him God made to turn to his praise, in order to which Providence so disposed that he should be shut up among the king's prisoners, the state-prisone”
Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 40:1: 40:1-23 Joseph did not lose faith in God’s promises, as evidenced by his readiness to interpret the dreams of two prisoners. He was still convinced that God’s revelation in his own two dreams (37:5-11) was true, and he had not abandoned hope that they would be fulfilled. When the fellow prisoners’ dreams were fulfilled exactly as Joseph said, this confirmed that his previous dreams were from God. 40:1-4 Joseph was so faithful and trustworthy that the captain of the guard trusted him with the care of two of Pharaoh’s chief . . . officials.”

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