Applying the Truths of Joseph's Story to Forgiveness and Perseverance
The biblical narrative of Joseph, particularly in the book of Genesis, offers profound insights into the themes of forgiveness and perseverance [6]. Joseph's story, spanning Genesis 37-50, details his betrayal by his brothers, his enslavement, imprisonment, and eventual rise to power in Egypt, culminating in his reconciliation with his family [6].
Joseph's journey exemplifies perseverance through immense suffering. He was persecuted by his own family, sold into slavery, and unjustly imprisoned [8]. Despite these trials, he maintained his integrity and faith. The concept of perseverance is understood in various traditions as an evidence of reconciliation with God and belonging to Christ [4]. It is characterized by seeking God, waiting upon Him, persistent prayer, and continuing in faith and well-doing [4, 5]. The power of God and Christ, along with Christ's intercession, are seen as maintaining factors for perseverance [4]. Early Christian writers like Clement of Rome urged believers to "continually persevere in our hope" in Jesus Christ, who endured all things for humanity [9]. The Catholic tradition emphasizes that perseverance in faith is a free gift from God that must be nourished by His word and prayer [10].
Forgiveness is another central theme in Joseph's story. When his brothers fear his retribution after their father's death, they send a message asking Joseph to "please forgive the disobedience of your brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to you" [2]. Joseph's response, weeping at their words, demonstrates his readiness to forgive [2]. The Bible frequently commands forgiveness, citing Christ's example and the mercy of God as motives [1]. Forgiveness should be unlimited and accompanied by forbearance, kindness, blessing, and prayer [1]. The forgiveness of sins is a core aspect of God's character, as seen in His long-suffering nature [3]. The prophet Jeremiah speaks of God's promise to "forgive... iniquity... remember... no more," a promise applied to both Israel and believers [7].
The story of Joseph also highlights the idea that God can bring good out of evil [6]. While Joseph's brothers acted with malice, Joseph recognized a divine purpose in his suffering, stating, "God sent me before you to preserve life" (Genesis 45:5). This perspective aligns with wisdom literature, which assures the faithful that God brings good out of evil and joy out of pain [6]. However, this does not absolve individuals of their responsibility for their actions; human deeds are to be judged by whether they align with divine commands, not solely by their eventual outcome [12]. The Jewish tradition, as articulated by Maimonides, also discusses the concept of divine withholding of repentance as a form of retribution for severe sins [11].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Forgiveness of Injuries — Christ set an example of -- Lu 23:34. Commanded -- Mr 11:25; Ro 12:19. To be unlimited -- Mt 18:22; Lu 17:4. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 7:4. Motives to The mercy of God. -- Lu 6:36. Our need of forgiveness. -- Mr 11:25. God's forgiveness of us. -- Eph 4:32. Christ's forgiveness of us. -- Col 3:13. A glory to saints -- Pr 19:11. Should be accompanied by Forbearance. -- Col 3:13. Kindness. -- Ge 45:5-11; Ro 12:20. Blessing and prayer. -- Mt 5:44. Promises to -- Mt 6:14; Lu 6:37. No forgiveness without -- Mt 6:15; Jas 2:13. Illustrated --”
- 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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Perseverance — An evidence of reconciliation with God -- Col 1:21-23. An evidence of belonging to Christ -- Joh 8:31; Heb 3:6,14. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 4:18. To be manifested in Seeking God. -- 1Ch 16:11. Waiting upon god. -- Ho 12:6. Prayer. -- Ro 12:12; Eph 6:18. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; 2Th 3:13. Continuing in the faith. -- Ac 14:22; Col 1:23; 2Ti 4:7. Holding fast hope. -- Heb 3:6. Maintained through The power of God. -- Ps 37:24; Php 1:6. The power of Christ. -- Joh 10:28. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32; Joh 17:11. The fear of God. -- Jer 32”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Waiting Upon God — As the God of providence -- Jer 14:22. As the God of salvation -- Ps 25:5. As the Giver of all temporal blessings -- Ps 104:27,28; Ps 145:15,16. For Mercy. -- Ps 123:2. Pardon. -- Ps 39:7,8. The consolation of Israel. -- Lu 2:25. Salvation. -- Ge 49:18; Ps 62:1,2. Guidance and teaching. -- Ps 25:5. Protection. -- Ps 33:20; 59:9,10. The fulfillment of His word. -- Hab 2:3. The fulfillment of His promises. -- Ac 1:4. Hope of righteous by faith. -- Ga 5:5. Coming of Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 1Th 1:10. Is good -- Ps 52:9. God calls us to -- Zep 3:8. Exhortat”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 37:2: 37:2–50:26 The story of Joseph and his brothers comprises a separate unit in Genesis, distinct in tone and emphasis from the preceding material. It traces one continuous series of episodes with Joseph at their center. • Cycles of repeated motifs structure the entire Joseph account. The themes are closely related to those found in wisdom books such as Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Daniel. Wisdom literature assures the faithful that God brings good out of evil and joy out of pain—if not in this life, then certainly in the life to come. Though the wicked may prosper f”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 31:34: True, specially of Israel (Isa 54:13); secondarily, true of believers (Joh 6:45; Co1 2:10; Jo1 2:20). forgive . . . iniquity . . . remember . . . no more-- (Jer 33:8; Jer 50:20; Mic 7:18); applying peculiarly to Israel (Rom 11:27). Secondarily, all believers (Act 10:43).”
- 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”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. VIII.--PERSEVERE IN HOPE AND PATIENCE.: Let us then continually persevere in our hope, and the earnest of our righteousness, which is Jesus Christ, "who bore our sins in His own body on the tree,"(3) "who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth,"(4) but endured all things for us, that we might live in Him.(5) Let us then be imitators of His patience; and if we suffer(6) for His name's sake, let us glorify Him.(7) For He has set us this example s in Himself, and we have believed that such is the c”
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catholic) “Catechism of the Catholic Church, CHAPTER THREE (part 6): anyone obtain eternal life 'But he who endures to the end.'"] Perseverance in faith 162 Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to man. We can lose this priceless gift, as St. Paul indicated to St. Timothy: "Wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have made shipwreck of their faith."44 To live, grow and persevere in the faith until the end we must nourish it with the word of God; we must beg the Lord to increase our faith;45 it must be "working through charity," aboundin”
- Mishneh Torah (Maimonides) (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Mishneh Torah (Maimonides), Mishneh Torah%2C Repentance 6:3: A person may commit a great sin or many sins causing the judgment rendered before the True Judge to be that the retribution [administered to] this transgressor for these sins which he willfully and consciously committed is that his Teshuvah will be held back. He will not be allowed the chance to repent from his wickedness so that he will die and be wiped out because of the sin he committed. This is implied by the Holy One, blessed be He's statement [related] by Isaiah [6:10]: “Make the heart of this people fat [and make their ears he”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 2 (Gen 24-50), section 22.9: neither traces their fault to God as its cause, nor really absolves them from it; as we shall see more clearly in the last chapter ( Genesis 44:1 .) And doubtless, it must be maintained, that the deeds of men are not to be estimated according to the event, but according to the measure in which they may have failed in their duty, or may have attempted something contrary to the Divine command, and may have gone beyond the bounds of their calling. Someone, for instance, has neglected his wife or children, and has not diligently atte”