Exposition:
One of the effects of offenses is resentment. Resentment contains a self-destructive power that consumes one’s joy. Resentment refers to harbouring animosity against a person for offending you. Sometimes those who really offend us tend to forget it. It becomes a huge burden on those offended because for them, it is always fresh on their minds. In the scripture we read, Joseph’s brothers well remembered their unpleasant act towards their brother and were afraid of the repercussions after their father had died.
Joseph never kept his brothers’ negative deeds at heart. He prepared to feed them, protect them and even care for their children according to Genesis 50:21. Joseph’s response put smiles on the faces of his brothers and reassured fellowship.
There are a lot of lessons from Josephs’ response: Joseph dealt with his resentment by forgiving his brothers. Instead of paying them back he gave them an assurance that he holds nothing against them. Through Joseph’s actions we understand that, sometimes what people intend for evil can be a blessing in disguise. One may be thinking that is not easy but Joseph has demonstrated that it is doable. He was the one who suffered the action of his heartless brothers but did not harbour it within.
One thing we must know as Christians is that, once we forgive people who offend us, we should be able to let our actions demonstrate it in order not to leave any doubt in the minds of those who offend us. Apart from the soothing words of Joseph in response to his brothers, he even wept. In conclusion, let us try as much as possible to deal with every resentment that people’s offenses might have caused us and strive to be nice to them by following Joseph’s example.