Life: Overcome an Earthly Mindset

• The Bible Studies for Life lesson for Nov. 23 focuses on Genesis 50:15-21.

Introduction

Overcoming an earthly mindset can be difficult for some who enter the community of faith after years of living by earthly values and pursuits. The Apostle Paul wrote the Corinthian letters because the great gospel harvest had flooded the church with converts who could not be trained quickly enough. Although faith is the means by which people instantly enter a relationship with the Lord, it takes time to season in the disciplines of Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-9 lists Christian character qualities believers must develop in their walk of faith. Peter concludes the paragraph by stating that those who don’t pursue such qualities have forgotten they have been cleansed from their past sins. Although forgiveness is not found in Peter’s list, we know the practice of forgiveness is of central importance to Jesus, who reminded his followers in Matthew 6:14-15 they must practice forgiveness.

This week’s lesson features a story that arises from the lack of progress in faith. Joseph’s grand expression of forgiveness came in Genesis 45. His brothers, however, only walked nominally in knowledge of the Lord. When their father Jacob died, they panicked, thinking Joseph would seek revenge against them.

Therefore, even though the moment of Joseph’s forgiveness was years earlier, the brothers had not trusted it. Their worldly suspicions warned that those who have been treated cruelly will seek vengeance at an opportune moment. With Jacob no longer present to intervene, they realized they now were totally at Joseph’s mercy.

Joseph’s brothers still feared retribution for their past actions against him (Genesis 50:15-17)

God’s kingdom transforms lives. Character traits change. Life direction reorients. Peace replaces strife. God indwells his people (2 Corinthians 3:18). Romans 12:2 famously exhorts God’s people not to remain in conformity with the world but to participate actively in God’s transformation process. One must cooperate with the Lord’s work in one’s life, just as a patient must actively follow a doctor’s directions.

Joseph’s brothers show knowledge of the Lord. They knew the faith stories of their grandfather Isaac and great-grandfather Abraham. It was evident, however, that they had not been actively living and developing in their walks of faith. Had they been doing so, they would have been doing their best to live in peace with each other and their neighbors (Romans 12:18).

Furthermore, the brothers should have gotten their lives straightened out with Joseph. In Matthew 5:25-26, Jesus teaches people to get matters right with others before they get taken court. Jesus’ scenario refers to civil court action, but this is an instance of hyperbole, or literary exaggeration. Jesus’ point is that when we, his followers, wrong others, we must get busy resolving the matter to the satisfaction of the party we have harmed. God’s people are far from sinless and perfect, but they can show godly character by persistently attending to righting and repairing their mistakes and shortcomings.

Had Joseph’s brothers been concerned with being restored with Joseph, they would have pursued restoration with him. In the process, they would have learned the truth about his character and that his forgiveness was genuine. Further, they would have discovered the ultimate purpose of forgiveness is to open the way to restored relationships.

Joseph’s brothers displayed a fearful submission before Joseph. Joseph displayed a humble submission before God (Genesis 50:18-19)

A double tragedy resides in verse 18. First, out of their panic, the brothers resort to begging for mercy, something they should have done earlier when Joseph revealed his identity. Furthermore, they already are receiving mercy. So they chose a worldly solution, surrendering out of defeat and despair, instead of pursuing God’s way. They saw themselves out of options, and the time was coming, in their eyes, when they would have to pay dearly for their treachery against Joseph. Second, now Joseph’s slavery became their slavery. Their injustice toward Joseph came full circle to include them. Their descendants one day would suffer dearly for their actions.

Joseph rejected the veneration conveyed by their prostrated posture before him. Only God deserves such adoration and submissiveness. Joseph answered their posture when he stated he was not in God’s position. He had no intention of harming or subjugating his brothers.

Joseph had the right perspective; he had an awareness of God’s involvement in all he experienced (Genesis 50:20-21)

Verse 20 reveals Joseph already had forgiven his brothers, was not planning retribution toward them and had submitted his life to the Lord’s service. Like Jesus, Joseph suffered so his brothers and their families could receive the God’s blessings. Like Jesus, Joseph had keen insight into God’s purposes for the events that shaped the lives of his brothers and himself. Like Jesus and the prophets, Joseph proclaimed the ways and purposes of God. We also see an illustration of Romans 8:28: God working all things to the good of Joseph and his brothers.

Joseph’s crowning words come in verse 21. They were inspired by a lifetime of walking with the Lord. As his last words in Scripture, they are a fitting memorial to his outstanding character as a man of God. Joseph’s words are saturated by kindness, indicating forgiveness had healed his life.

Although Joseph refused his brothers’ prostrate adoration, he actually, though figuratively, stood in God’s position. Joseph’s word selection underscores this point. Regularly throughout Scripture, God encourages his people not to be afraid. God also frequently affirms his covenantal obligation to provide for his people. Joseph included these two points in his response. Thus, his words actually were the Lord’s words delivered to his people by his faithful servant.