By Marc Sims, TGC. (Photo: Simone Dinoia/Unsplash)
Imagine the people closest to you betray you. It’s your trust in them that lets them get close enough to hurt you so terribly. Now, imagine that this betrayal completely upends your life for years. Everything that made your life good—your family, your home, your safety—is violently taken from you.
Now imagine years bleed into decades. Your life spirals into ever more pain and isolation. And every jab of hurt leads you to agonize over the initial wound: None of this would have happened if it weren’t for them. How could they do this?
However, in the last few years, your fortunes have turned around. From the slums, you’re suddenly lifted to a vaulted position of power. People no longer take advantage of you but try to stay in your good graces. It doesn’t wash all the bitter memories away, but it’s something.
And then, lo and behold, who happens to come before you but them. Your cruel betrayers are there, groveling, asking you for help.
How would you feel? What would you do?
If you haven’t picked up on it yet, this is the story of Joseph from Genesis. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph walks through much injustice and suffering before being catapulted into the most powerful office in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. And when his brothers come cringing toward him in the end, certain that Joseph will use his power to pay them back, Joseph responds with unexpected mercy, generosity, and warmth (Gen. 50:15–21).