To forgive or to ask for forgiveness requires a unique kind of humility. Proud people refuse to admit they need forgiveness. Stubborn people refuse to extend it to others. Jesus�?statement in the Sermon on the Mount concerning forgiveness challenges such as attitude. H taught us in the Model Prayer to pray: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors�?(Matt. 6: 12). Then He said, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins�?(Matt. 6:14-15). Being willing to forgive others reflects God’s grace in our hearts.

Bible Study - Lesson 2

“Profiles In Virtue�?/P>

Hatred sometimes leads to violence and abuse. We read in verses 12-17, that Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers who were staying in the fields tending the flocks. And in verses 17-20, we read that when the brothers saw Joseph coming, they plotted against him. (Remember that Jacob always showed favoritism with Joseph, so the seeds of hatred existed before this event (v.2).

Some of the brothers wanted to kill Joseph, but Reuben sought to prevent such extreme treatment. Planning to rescue him later, he suggested they throw Joseph into a pit (cistern), and that’s what they did (vv.21-24). But then while they were eating they saw a group of traders on their way to Egypt (v.25). Now, practical-minded Judah saw the traders coming, thought of an alternate plan. He thought, ‘why not make a profit and, at the same time, escape the guilt of murder?�?/P>

So, “Judah said to his brothers, ‘What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelite (the traders) and not lay our hands on him; after all he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.�?His brothers agreed. So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern (pit) and sold him for twenty shekels (pieces) of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt (vv. 26-28 NIV).

As the brothers watched the caravan disappear down the trail with Joseph, they probably felt a temporary thrill from being rid of him. Do you suppose they thought they would never see him again? How soon do you think they began to suffer remorse?

We live in a world of cruelty. Many people have testified that they had been abused in their early years. People guilty of such wicked deeds must live with a terrible weight on their conscience. As did Joseph’s brothers.

Later events indicate that Joseph’s brothers suffered great anguish of soul because of what they did to their brother.

Getting even with people because of wrong they inflicted on us never produces real happiness, satisfaction, or good mental health. Rather it brings a counter-productive result. I urge you to beware of such an attitude or action. To harbor a hateful and unforgiving spirit will put poison into your system that will drain you of your spiritual, emotional, and physical vitality and energy. Some specialists contend it can even shorten your life.

Now, the last part of Lesson 2 - Study 1...Speaks of forgiveness, and how forgiveness erases wrongs. Forgive those who do you wrong.

I don’t know how many times my Mother told me ,“You have to forgive, if you want to go to heaven!�?Read Genesis 50:15-21, and I will post my comments later.

Joseph words in Genesis 50:19-21, combined with those in 45:5-7, demonstrate one of the most Christlike spirits of forgiveness found in the Bible. I found only one situation other than Jesus�?attitude that approximates (comes close) it - the words of Stephen when he was stoned to death for his faith in Jesus (Act 7:60).

What constitutes true forgiveness? Forgiveness means setting someone free from an obligation to you that resulted from a wrong done against you. It involves three elements: an injury, a debt, and a cancellation of the debt.

All three elements were present in Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers who had treated him so cruelly.

Do you know how to forgive? Have you ever dealt openly and honestly with someone who has wronged you? Look at the other side of the coin. Have you ever had someone forgive you when you were wrong? Do you need either or both experiences in your life now?

Are you willing to do what the Lord brings to your mind to reconcile the matter? Being willing to forgive those who harm you is a Christlike virtue.

What lessons can we learn from the life of Joseph that could help us in our relationships with others? I wish I had paid closer attention to Joseph�?story when I was younger. Maybe it would have help me realize that “hate�?is not the answer. Yes, I’ve had hate in my heart before I came to Christ as an adult. I’ve always had Christ in my life, because of Mothers teachings, but I didn’t give my whole life to Christ until about 20 years ago , when this evil woman (who is not a family member) had done so many evil deeds to me and the ones I loved, that I just wasn’t going to take it anymore! Hate entered my heart and almost caused me to do something terrible!! Something I would have regretted for the rest of my life!!

Hate is not something we are born with, we learn it. Although hate is usually brought on by others actions toward us, the choice is ours…To hate someone is a choice we make. Just like Love is a choice. Instead of getting revenge for the deeds this evil woman had inflected, (the ripples of which are still being felt in my life today) I chose to love her and still pray for her daily! Because I DO want to make heaven my home.

As a result of my experience, when my grandsons came along and learned to talk, the word “hate�?was one word they were not allowed to use. Another was the word “stupid.�?(They had to sit in the corner if they used it). I don’t use the word either!! I’ve used it more here than I have since my experience, but ONLY to get my point across.