IMITATE THEIR FAITH/JOSEPH -"Am I in the Place of God"?

"YOU ARE STILL ALIVE"!

When Pharaoh heard the whole story behind the commotion in Joseph's house, he invited  Joseph to  move his aged father to Egypt, along with the whole family. It was not too long, then, before Joseph  was finally reunited  with his beloved father. Jacob wept and said:  "Now I am ready to die; I have seen your face and know that you are still alive." -Genesis 45:16-28; 46:29, 30. 

In fact, Jacob lived on for another 17 years in Egypt. He lived long enough to pronounce prophetic blessings on his 12 sons. To Joseph, his 11 son, he gave the double portion usually due the firstborn. Two of Israel's tribes would come from him. And what of Judah, the fourth son, who excelled his brothers when he showed  such a repentant spirit:  He received a great blessing; the Messiah would come from his family line! -Genesis, chapters 48, 49. 

When Jacob died at 147 years of age, Joseph's  brothers feared that their powerful sibling might now seek revenge.  But Joseph responded with a loving reassurance. He had long maintained that since Jehovah was behind the family's move to Egypt, his brothers should stop feeling bad  about what happened. Now he added this remarkable question;  "Am I in the place of God?" (Genesis 15:13; 45:7, 8; 50:15-21)  Joseph saw Jehovah as the perfect Judge. Who was Joseph, then, to punish those whom Jehovah had forgiven? -Hebrews 10:30. 

Do you ever find it a challenge to forgive?  It can be especially hard when someone has done us deliberate  harm.  But if we forgive from the heart those who  are truly repentant, we will help to heal many a wound-including our own. And we will imitate the faith of Joseph and the example of his merciful Father, Jehovah. 

Next time:Hope for the Homeless and the Poor

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015