Introduction
Even though the world church should be united, there is a lot of tension amongst churches. However, disagreement is not always bad because conflict may build organizations and relationships if appropriately handled. Additionally, it can enhance performance and elevate sanctification. Jesus addressed conflict and advised because He genuinely knew it was unavoidable for all of us. Numerous verses in the Bible instruct us on how to behave in conflict situations. In addition, there are valuable resources that parties to a dispute might use.
God treats us similarly to how Joseph treated his brothers to prompt us to repent. Joseph might have declared, “I am Joseph, you are forgiven, and everything is fantastic!” as soon as his brothers approached him to buy grain and failed to identify him. However, nothing would have been perfect since, before their restoration, these brothers had to confess their horrible act of selling Joseph into slavery. To force them to change, Joseph put them through a series of trials, culminating in the accusation that Benjamin had stolen Joseph’s silver cup (44:1–17). The story of Joseph and his brothers is a concentrated guide on perceiving conflicts and forgiving that demonstrates the wisdom and power of Joseph that everyone can analyze to grow.
Evidence: Literary Context
How Joseph’s brothers responded to yet another test of integrity is described in Genesis 44:14–34. Benjamin, the youngest, was found to be carrying Joseph’s silver cup in his baggage. This cup was placed on Joseph’s private instruction; the brothers are still in the dark about who Joseph is. Joseph appears to be testing his brothers’ maturity by asking them if they had changed from the selfishness and cruelty they displayed when they sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt. That event demonstrates Joseph’s wisdom and desire to explain his condition when his brothers betray him using symbols, such as the silver cup and Benjamin as the younger brother’s selling for silver. The only punishment for Benjamin is to serve as Joseph’s slave while the others are free to leave. Instead, Judah offers to step in for Benjamin to save both his elderly father and younger brother, who will undoubtedly pass away from sadness if Benjamin is lost.
As Benjamin faces a life of slavery in Egypt for stealing the Egyptian ruler’s silver cup, Joseph’s brothers follow him back to Joseph’s house, but Benjamin is a decent person. The cup was filled into the boy’s bag by Joseph’s attendant. The eleven men are unaware that the influential man they have been dealing with is their divorced brother. Joseph has used these experiences as tests to determine whether they have transformed since selling him into enslavement 20 years ago (Dupont 2018). The situation has left Joseph’s brothers in a desperate and heartbreaking state. Joseph is still at home, they discover. In the act of humility, they prostrate themselves before him in the hopes that he may have mercy on them.
Evidence: Historical and Cultural Background
When Judah and his brothers arrived at Joseph’s home and discovered that he was still there, they immediately fell at his feet. Joseph questioned them, asking, “What wrongdoing have you committed? Did you not realize that a man like me may undoubtedly use divination?” (Genesis 44:15). They returned to the Egyptian authority in humility and fell to the ground before him. They had been mistreated, and the proof had been fabricated. Nevertheless, they came humbly pleading for mercy rather than demanding justice.
For our disobedience, God owed us nothing but justice; in Christ, the Almighty responds with mercy. God forgives us and receives us into His kingdom through the life and death of His Son, Jesus. Aid pupils in connecting Joseph’s actions and God’s grace (Živković 2018). In the same way that Joseph gave people who had wronged him food and a new home, God does the same for the human race via Christ.
The brothers’ submission to him on the ground revealed their desperation to win the Egyptian official’s favor and secure Benjamin’s release. They knew that losing Benjamin and their father was a severe catastrophe. For the third time, when they collapsed before him, they realized a dream that Joseph had had for more than 20 years (Miller 2022). For a bit longer, Joseph needed to play the part of an Egyptian and prevent them from realizing he was a Hebrew who worshiped Yahweh.
The readiness of leaders to offer themselves as a sacrifice for the sins of other individuals was intended to be a distinguishing quality of leadership among God’s people, in contrast to the ideals of the societies around Israel (Miller 2022). When Israel sinned concerning the golden calf, Moses would demonstrate it. He prayed to say “Alas, this people has committed a tremendous sin; they have created gods of gold for themselves” (Exodus 32:31). Moses continued saying, “but now, if you would pardon their transgression, please blot me out of the record you have kept” (Exod. 32:32). When David witnessed the Lord’s angel destroying the populace, he demonstrated it.
He prayed to ask God what have they done, saying: “Please use your hand to harm both my family and me, I beg you” (2 Sam. 24:17). When he stated, “For this reason the Father loves me because I lay down my life to pick it up again,” Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, would demonstrate it. No one steals it from me; I give it up voluntarily (John 10:17-18).
Finally, Joseph says, “I am Joseph,” which his brothers presumably initially did not comprehend. This scene reveals the structure of forgiveness. It involves showing loyalty to a family member in need, even when that person appears to be at fault, bringing glory to God. If a dysfunctional family accepts these virtues, it will become a beacon for the rest of the world. An urgent query swiftly follows this. “Is my dad still around?” This is heartbreaking because Judah had previously asserted that Jacob, their shared father, was alive. Nevertheless, Joseph’s query demonstrates his keen interest in speaking with his brothers (Clayton 2019). After hearing Judah express the anguish that would physically kill him, he feels compelled to save Jacob.
Entire families can be destroyed by favoritism and envy. But when brothers live in harmony, how wonderful and joyful that is! (Psalm 133:1). We sometimes see God’s direction as illogical. The life of Joseph shows us that, despite everything, He is in charge and keeps His word. The life of Joseph demonstrates how individuals can feel the presence of God despite unfair and challenging circumstances. David also went through something similar: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4). Joseph’s disposition of mercy and forgiveness serves as a metaphor for Jesus Christ, who pardons those who harm Him due to their sin and disobedience. He even gives his life to them.
Conclusion
To conclude, the story of Joseph being sold into slavery teaches the reader many lessons. The most significant one of them is the importance of forgiveness. Regardless of their treatment of him, Joseph shows mercy like God, who forgives people, knowing all of their mistakes and imperfections. This story is a great example of wisdom that a person can achieve by living life before God. Even though Joseph is just a human and one of the youngest brothers, he demonstrates the ability to be successful yet forgiving and kind.
References
Barany, T. (2020) “The Polypropylene Pope Would Be 70.” Express Polymer Letters 14 (5): 400–400. Web.
Clayton, Tom. (2019) “Foreword: What Is Shakespeare? Who Is He? And When Is Shakespeare Himself Again?” Multicultural Shakespeare 20 (35): 11–15. Web.
Dupont, Jean-Claude. (2018) “Historical Perspective on Neuroembryology: Wilhelm His and His Contemporaries.” Genesis 56 (6-7): e23218. Web.
Giffone, Benjamin D. (2019) “‘Israel’s’ Only Son? The Complexity of Benjaminite Identity between Judah and Joseph.” Old Testament Essays 32 (3). Web.
Miller, Joseph R. (2022) “What Makes Genesis Different?” Religions 13 (8): 730. Web.
Živković, Zoran. (2018) “What to Read Now: Rereading Demons and the Brothers Karamazov.” World Literature Today 92 (6): 8–9. Web.