joseph's story of Forgiveness and RECONCILIATION
Joseph Sold into Slavery
The Bible Story of Joseph, from the Book of Genesis, is one of supernatural redemption and forgiveness.
Joseph, the most loved son of his father, Jacob (‘Israel’), is given the robe of many colors and shares the dreams of his childhood where all his brothers, and even his own parents, will bow down before him.
Sent on an errand by his father to find his brothers who are grazing the family livestock, the brothers' jealousy of Joseph results in him being sold by his brothers to a caravan of Ishmaelite traders, who carry him off to Egypt to be sold as a slave to Potiphar, the Captain of the Pharaoh’s guard.
Joseph never returns to his ancestral home.
HISTORICAL PARALLEL
Dominant tribes in Africa conquered neighboring tribes and sold the captives to the Arab and European slave merchants, who carried them off to other lands far afield, where they were sold into slavery, never to see their homeland again.
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God’s Favor on Joseph
In Egypt, Joseph’s obedience to the ways of the LORD enables him to find favor with Potiphar, until the false accusations of Potiphar’s wife result in his imprisonment.
Even there in the darkness of confinement, Joseph is recognized by the keeper of the jail as a man of integrity and wisdom and promoted to head trustee.
With God’s help, Joseph interprets the dreams of two prisoners, predicting that one will be reinstated to the position of Pharaoh’s cupbearer, and the other would put to death.
Later, Joseph accurately interprets the dreams of the Pharaoh himself, and is elevated to the chief administrator of Egypt to prepare for the impending world-wide drought.
HISTORICAL PARALLEL
Over the years of servitude, God’s favor has rested on these displaced Africans, to the point that now, Africa-Americans can be found in places of authority in every aspect of society, politics, science, education, business, the arts and, of course, Christianity.
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Reconciliation with his Brothers
Famine and drought in Canaan forces Jacob to send his sons to buy grains from the Egyptians. When Joseph encounters his brothers again, he deliberately conceals his identity. He asks about their father and if there are any other brothers in the family. He tells them to only return if they bring along with them the youngest son, Benjamin.
The ongoing famine forces Jacob to reluctantly send his sons back to Egypt, with Benjamin. In order to test the character of his brothers’ hearts, Joseph has his servant conceal a silver cup in Benjamin’s saddlebag and accuses him of theft. Judah, one of the older brothers, offers to be imprisoned on Benjamin’s behalf and Joseph reveals that he is indeed their long-separated brother.
The brothers repent of their actions and beg Joseph for forgiveness which he readily gives.
HISTORICAL PARALLEL
Many kings and chiefs in Africa have turned to Christ, and they are seeking reconciliation with their brothers, that their ancestors sold into bondage so many years ago.
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