The Place of God

Joseph's brothers ... said, "Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him." So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying ... "Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father."
And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face ... Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?"
(Genesis 50:15-19 NKJV)

My sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight. (Psalms 51:3-4 NKJV)

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. (Romans 12:18-20 NKJV)

Some forty years had passed since Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. The memory and pain of their sin remained fresh. Such are the consequences of sin.

Any injury to a bondservant belongs to the slave’s owner, not the slave—for slaves own neither themselves nor anything that comes into their hands. In the truest sense, we cannot forgive sin, for we have no right to claim the injury in the first place. Joseph, Moses, David, and Paul all gave full ownership of sin to God alone.

Father, in You is only blessing for Your children. You allow in our lives only the evil You intend to use for good. You alone can forgive sin. Please help us, lest we attempt to lay claim to what is Yours.

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