“Joseph’s Mercy“
[By Matthew Russom]

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
– Matthew 5:7 (ESV)

The account of Joseph’s life begins in Genesis 37 as he is introduced to be one of the sons of Jacob. Being Jacob’s favorite and adorning the robe of many colors, Joseph’s brothers envied him. His brothers’ jealousy led to hatred and they sold him into slavery. God looked after Joseph through his tribulations, which led to him gaining a position of power in Egypt (Gen. 39:21-23). After God helped Joseph translate Pharaoh’s dream foretelling of a famine, Egypt’s preparations had all nations go to them for help.

Joseph’s brothers eventually show up before him as he is governor. After Joseph gives them a handful of trials to see if his brothers had changed their ways, he reveals his identity. Joseph shows his brothers mercy as he provides the ones who sent him into slavery with way more than they asked for. The root of Joseph’s mercy is his heart. Before he revealed his identity, he was so compassionated he began to weep (Gen. 43:30). His emotions of compassion and love are on display as he embraces his brothers and forgives them (45:1-5).

Today, we can look at Joseph’s mercy as a lesson of compassion, love, and forgiveness. All three of these things reveal what is truly in our hearts (Proverbs 4:23). If we desire to be merciful and forgiving as the Lord instructs us to, that starts and ends with our love of God and righteousness (Heb. 1:9). Working and focusing on our wants and desires from the heart is necessary to keep growing as Christians and keeping God’s Word.