Joseph Forgives His Brothers Story - Bible

When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, 'Why do you just keep looking at each other? I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us. Then we will live and not die.'

So ten of Joseph's brothers went down to Egypt to buy grain. But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's younger brother, with them. He was afraid that harm might come to him.

So the sons of Israel were among the people who went to buy grain. Joseph was the governor of the land. It was he who sold grain to all its people. When Joseph's brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.

Joseph remembered his dreams about his brothers bowing down to him. He said to them, 'You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.'

They replied, 'No, my lord. Your servants have come to buy food. We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men. We are not spies.'

Joseph said to them, 'No! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.'

But they said, 'We were twelve brothers. We are the sons of one father. One brother is no more. The youngest is now with our father in Canaan.'

Joseph said to them, 'It is just as I told you. You are spies! This is how you will be tested. As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of you to get your brother. The rest of you will be kept in prison. Your words will be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies.'

Joseph put them all in custody for three days. On the third day, he said to them, 'I am a God-fearing man. Do this and you will live. If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison. The rest of you go and take grain back for your hungry households. But you must bring your youngest brother to me. Then your words will be verified. You will not die.'

They agreed to do this. They said to one another, 'We are being punished because of our brother Joseph. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life. But we would not listen. That is why this distress has come on us.'

Reuben replied, 'Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.'

They did not realize that Joseph could understand them. He had been using an interpreter. Joseph turned away from them and began to weep. Then he turned back and spoke to them. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.

Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain. He put each man's silver back into his sack. He also gave them provisions for their journey. After that, they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left.

At the place where they stopped for the night, one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey. He saw his silver in the mouth of his sack. He said to his brothers, 'My silver has been returned! Here it is in my sack.' Their hearts sank. They turned to each other and said, 'What has God done to us?'

When they came to their father Jacob in Canaan, they told him all that had happened. Jacob was told, 'Joseph is still alive. In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.' Jacob was stunned. He did not believe them. But when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, his spirit revived. Israel said, 'I'm convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.'

So Israel and all his family went to Egypt. Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time.

Israel said to Joseph, 'Now I am ready to die. I have seen for myself that you are still alive.'

After Jacob died, Joseph's brothers were afraid. They said, 'What if Joseph holds a grudge against us? What if he pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?' So they sent a message to Joseph. They said, 'Your father left this command before he died. He said, 'Say to Joseph, I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.' Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.'

When their message came to Joseph, he wept. Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before him. They said, 'We are your slaves.'

But Joseph said to them, 'Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You meant to harm me. But God meant it for good. He wanted to accomplish what is now being done. He wanted to save many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.'

Joseph reassured them and spoke kindly to them. He had forgiven his brothers completely. He did not hold a grudge. He saw how God had used even their bad actions to bring about something good. Joseph saved his family from the famine. He showed them love and mercy instead of revenge. He is an example of how we should forgive others. When we forgive, we are like Joseph. We are showing the same kind of forgiveness that God shows to us.

The Joseph Forgives His Brothers story teaches forgiveness and reconciliation. It shows that God’s plan can turn misfortune into good. This story highlights mercy and faith.