Thursday, February 12, 2026
Joseph
Putting a Face on Forgiveness by Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey
Joseph enjoyed a blissful situation for his first seventeen years of life. His doting father gave him special privileges signified by his multicolored coat. Then suddenly, Joseph entered a black situation not of his own choosing but through the evil act of his brothers who hated him. After thirteen years of separation from his father and his favorite son status, Joseph encountered a blessed situation that was a blessing to his father, who thought he was dead, and to his entire family. Without forgiveness, it never would have happened. What can we learn from Joseph about forgiveness? Here are three snap shots from some of his darkest days.
First, see Joseph forging purposefully ahead with God's attendance. Joseph did not give up. In Genesis 39:2 we read, "The Lord was with Joseph." Joseph was still a man on a mission. When Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph, note how he responded in Genesis 39:8-9, "But he refused and said to his master's wife, 'Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?'"
Second, see Joseph forgetting painful anguish with God's assistance. As time passed Joseph married and had two sons. In Genesis 41:51 we read, "Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: 'For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house.'" Notice it was God who made Joseph forget the painful memory. Dr. Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667) explains, "It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his Helper is omnipotent."
Third, see Joseph forgoing personal avengement with God's acceptance. Joseph came to understand that God was in it all. His acceptance with God helped him deal with the rejection of his brothers. He knew it was not his place to take revenge on his brothers. He trusted God to take care of these things. He understood his mandate from God did not involve personal avengement. Genesis 50:19-20 reads, "Joseph said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.'" Romans 12:19 reads, "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord."
This chapter in Joseph's life can be characterized as putting a face on forgiveness. While it is good to recall the account of Joseph and his forgiveness, what about you? Will you put a face on forgiveness? Let the reflection in your mirror tell its story. Who knows the blessing it will bring?
Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, Author of Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah and
Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving the Bible a Voice [Both available on Amazon] February 3, 2023 © All Rights Reserved
Joseph enjoyed a blissful situation for his first seventeen years of life. His doting father gave him special privileges signified by his multicolored coat. Then suddenly, Joseph entered a black situation not of his own choosing but through the evil act of his brothers who hated him. After thirteen years of separation from his father and his favorite son status, Joseph encountered a blessed situation that was a blessing to his father, who thought he was dead, and to his entire family. Without forgiveness, it never would have happened. What can we learn from Joseph about forgiveness? Here are three snap shots from some of his darkest days.
First, see Joseph forging purposefully ahead with God's attendance. Joseph did not give up. In Genesis 39:2 we read, "The Lord was with Joseph." Joseph was still a man on a mission. When Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph, note how he responded in Genesis 39:8-9, "But he refused and said to his master's wife, 'Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?'"
Second, see Joseph forgetting painful anguish with God's assistance. As time passed Joseph married and had two sons. In Genesis 41:51 we read, "Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: 'For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house.'" Notice it was God who made Joseph forget the painful memory. Dr. Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667) explains, "It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his Helper is omnipotent."
Third, see Joseph forgoing personal avengement with God's acceptance. Joseph came to understand that God was in it all. His acceptance with God helped him deal with the rejection of his brothers. He knew it was not his place to take revenge on his brothers. He trusted God to take care of these things. He understood his mandate from God did not involve personal avengement. Genesis 50:19-20 reads, "Joseph said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.'" Romans 12:19 reads, "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord."
This chapter in Joseph's life can be characterized as putting a face on forgiveness. While it is good to recall the account of Joseph and his forgiveness, what about you? Will you put a face on forgiveness? Let the reflection in your mirror tell its story. Who knows the blessing it will bring?
Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, Author of Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah and
Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving the Bible a Voice [Both available on Amazon] February 3, 2023 © All Rights Reserved
# posted by Groseys messages @ 8:07 AM 
