Flashlight Will vs. Floodlight Will

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Heb 12:15

Point

A seed of offense gets planted, and unless we deal with it, it grows.

When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” 2 He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.” 3 Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4 But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him. 5 So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain, for there was famine in
the land of Canaan also.

Gen 42:1-3

Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. 9 Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.” 17 And he put them all in custody for three days. 21 They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.” 24 He turned away from them and began to weep, but then came back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before
their eyes.

Gen 42:8,9,17,21,24

1Now the famine was still severe in the land. 2 So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought
from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”3 But Judah said to him,
“The man warned us solemnly, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’

Gen 43:1-3

26 When Joseph came home, they presented to him the gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground. 30 Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.

Gen 43:26,30

Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack. 2 Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said.3 As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys. 4 They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, “Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil? 5 Isn’t this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.’”

Gen 44:1-5

“Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. 34 How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me
see the misery that would come on my father.”

Gen 44:33

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

Gen 45:1-3

Forgiveness

Release freely, to let go of what someone owes you.

What makes this story so powerful in Genesis, is not just that Joseph experiences deliverance, but his
brothers do, too. He forgives them, and they can forgive themselves.