As we draw the curtain on the year 2021, the opportunity for quiet reflection is before each of us to self-examine where we are on the subject of relationships, within and with each member of our biological and church families. Consider our text of today for context regarding siblings within the same family. Perhaps there may similarities of experiences and lessons to learn.

When Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Perhaps now Joseph will hate us and will pay us back for all the evil we did to him. And they sent a messenger to Joseph, saying, Your father commanded before he died, saying, So shall you say to Joseph: Forgive (take up and away all resentment and all claim to requital concerning), I pray you now, the trespass of your brothers and their sin, for they did evil to you. Now, we pray you, forgive the trespass of the servants of your father’s God. And Joseph wept when they spoke thus to him. Then his brothers went and fell down before him, saying, See, we are your servants (your slaves)! And Joseph said to them, Fear not; for am I in the place of God? [Vengeance is His, not mine.] As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day. Now therefore, do not be afraid. I will provide for and support you and your little ones. And he comforted them [imparting cheer, hope, strength] and spoke to their hearts [kindly].Genesis 50:15-21 AMPC

Have you been a tool or an inflictor of hardship upon your sibling? You satisfied your wrong motive and misplaced wrath in pushing him or her towards his or her destiny? Your guilt and fear of reprisal will wait to haunt you in the days to come; but you can take the right step now, not by cunningly devised stories, but in open and genuine apology seek absolution and forgiveness.

Or were you the offended one? Joseph’s example reflects the freedom of a heart that forgives, and more the divinely imposed responsibility upon the godly that is blessed of God not to hold anything against the offending brother, with or without apology. It is required of those that are blessed of God to thread carefully towards the less blessed – Luke 16:19-22(TPT), even when they act despicably towards you. God will judge your response in their day of trouble.

Jesus continued. “There once was a very rich man who had the finest things imaginable, living every day enjoying his life of opulent luxury. Outside the gate of his mansion was a poor beggar named Lazarus. He lay there every day, covered with boils, and all the neighborhood dogs would come and lick his open sores. The only food he had to eat was the garbage that the rich man threw away. “One day poor Lazarus died, and the angels of God came and escorted his spirit into paradise.

Always remember that the evil or good anyone metes to you as a child of God is NOT because it is in their power rather it is because the all-powerful God permitted it. Let the word be true that vengeance belongs to God. Selah

Photo by Omar Lopez on Unsplash