April 24, 2025 • 31 mins
Join us as we uncover the incredible story of Joseph's mercy towards his brothers, a testament to the power of forgiveness and divine purpose.
In this episode, discover the profound story of mercy and forgiveness as Joseph encounters his brothers who betrayed him years ago. Experience the transforming power of mercy and how it reflects God's love through the timeless tale of Joseph's journey.
Today's Bible verse is Matthew 5:7, from the King James Version.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew
five seven. Heavenly Father, teach us the profound depth of
mercy that you have shown us, that we might extend
the same to others. Let mercy flow from us, naturally,
(00:24):
touching every interaction, every judgment, every response, in still a
heart that mirrors your own, kind, forgiving and compassionate. May
we remember that in being merciful, we not only emulate
(00:45):
your character, but also open our lives to receive your
mercy in fuller measure. Help us to see through the
lens of grace, to act with kindness, and to forgive generously,
for in doing so we truly reflect your love to
(01:06):
the world. In the name of Jesus, our greatest example
of mercy, we pray Amen. Thank you for praying with
me today. This is the Jesus Podcast, Stories crafted to
grow your faith and awaken your imagination. Remain here for
(01:30):
another story inspired by the Sermon on the Mount. If
this podcast has blessed you so far, we would love
it if you left us a review. We want to
hear how the Gospel is changing lies. Jesus wasn't a
worldly king. He wasn't after glory in conquest. He was
(01:54):
on a mission to pierce hearts. The beginning of his
sermon flipped peace perspective of what it meant to be
blessed upside down. He described hearts moved by humility, mourning, meekness,
and the thirst for righteousness.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Blessed are the poor in spirit.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those
who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are they who
hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
It was countercultural. The antithesis of Roman rule were the
kingdoms of the world, but Christ's kingdom was not of
this world. His army was filled with outcasts, beggars and vagamonds,
broken people with redeemed hearts and renewed minds. With a
(02:59):
thor and conviction, Jesus continued saying.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
Those who have truly experienced mercy know how to give
it in return. It's a heavenly cycle that marks a
kingdom citizen. Those who withhold mercy reveals something about their hearts.
They haven't truly been affected deeply by the Gospel. This
is the Jesus Podcast. For the past week, we've been
(03:31):
connecting Jesus's Sermon on the Mount with other biblical stories,
showing how the Bible interweaves into a grand tapestry of
God's kingdom. Today, our focus is on Matthew chapter five,
verse seven, which states blessed her the merciful, for they
shall receive mercy. We'll explore what it means to be merciful,
(03:52):
how this virtue is exemplified in the story of Joseph
for giving his brothers in Genesis chapter fifty, verses fifteen
through twenty one, and how we can embody these values
in our everyday lives.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Hatred, dark, deep, powerful, hatred prowled like a lion, waiting
to devour Joseph's heart. God had taken Joseph to new heights,
making him ruler of Egypt, But as he stood before
his brothers who had betrayed him, he felt like that
(04:31):
wounded and betrayed child who was sold into slavery long ago.
They didn't know it was Joseph, the brother they had
beaten and sold as a slave. They thought Joseph had
been long dead. No, to them, he was Zapphanath Peneia,
(04:52):
steward of Egypt's wealth and right hand to Pharaoh. Even
though he was the most power. They were a full
man in the world besides Pharaoh. Joseph felt vulnerable in
front of them.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Could I show myself to them? What if? What if?
Nothing has changed?
Speaker 1 (05:13):
It would have been much easier to get revenge on them.
Joseph could have each of his twelve brothers executed with
a snap of his fingers. He found himself teetering between
rage and joy. Joseph wanted a connection with his brothers.
He longed to be a family once again. However, he
(05:37):
couldn't trust them after what they had done. Joseph watched
the way they treated Benjamin the youngest. They danced with him,
laughed with him, and showed him the brotherly affection Joseph
never received. They loved each other deeply, and Joseph's heart
(05:58):
broke over the years he had lost. He slumped back
in his throne, wrestling with his flesh. Joseph hoisted his
brothers in his palace. He showered them with food, wide
and exotic fruits. He wanted to observe them to see
if they had changed. Joseph smiled and clapped his hands together.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
My friends, I am pleased you have enjoyed our hospitality.
Please stay the night here so you can rest. I
am sure your journey has been long.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
Judah bowed his head in reverence.
Speaker 5 (06:37):
You are too kind to us Zaepeneth Pinea. We had
never expected such kindness from you, especially after the last
time we were here.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
He pulled Benjamin in close and tucked him under his
large arms.
Speaker 5 (06:50):
Huh, our father will be pleased that Benjamin was treated
so well.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Joseph winced at Judah's affection towards Benjamin. He couldn't shake
the feeling that it was all a lie. They had
once hated Joseph for being the favorite son, but now
they seemed to love Benjamin. Joseph studied the brothers carefully.
(07:16):
They seemed to be changed men, transformed by conviction and hardship.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Your father is a blessed man to have so many sons.
You said that one of them was taken from you.
Speaker 5 (07:30):
Correct, Yes, my lord, we had a younger brother before Benjamin.
Joseph was his name. He is no more wild animals
devoured him.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
In the wilderness, Joseph observed a notable change in his brothers.
Their faces were despondent and filled with shame. Joseph's eyes
darted like a hawk's. He was carefully observing their every move,
seeking to understand their hearts.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
That is unfortunate.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
He placed his hands behind his back and stepped towards them.
He paced around them, scanning them up and down.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
You must have loved this brother very much. M It
sure seems like all of you are so close. It
must have been tragic for you to lose him.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
The brothers remained silent, eyes on the ground. Joseph's face twitched.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
It's obvious that you are men who fear God and
would never deal with anyone dishonestly.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
None of the brothers made eye contact. They all felt
the collective shame of what they did to Joseph so
long ago. Joseph knew he had struck a chord with them.
He continued to pace around them, saying.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Your brother, Benjamin is blessed to have not all brothers
take kindly to one being the favorite.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
He placed his hands on Benjamin's shoulders and.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
Smiled, you, my son, are truly blessed, it was in
honor to host you. Now get some rest. I am
sure your father is eager to see you again.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
With those words, Joseph departed back to his chambers. The
brothers were escorted to a private villa outside Joseph's home.
They were treated to warm baths and linen blankets. That night,
they slept full and happy. However, Joseph was awake all night,
(09:42):
wrestling with his heart. Joseph spent the night outside his room,
gazing up at the skies. The expanse of heaven overwhelmed him.
The way the star stretched far beyond the horizon filled
him with wonder. He looked at the torches illuminating the
(10:04):
city below, mimicking the stars above. A gentle breeze blew
blissfully across Joseph's face. He leaned over the balcony, gripping
it tightly. A small stream of tears fell down his cheek.
(10:25):
Joseph shook his head, Unsure about what to do next,
he sighed and thought about his dreams. He thought about
the stars and sheaves of grain bowing to him. God
gave him those dreams for a purpose, But what was
(10:46):
the purpose. Surely it couldn't be revenge. Joseph sat in
a place of power, influence, and riches because of his
brother's sins. He blamed them for his suffering. However, God
had used it for good. But the question remained, what
(11:12):
was he going to do about his brothers? As Joseph
wrestled with these questions in the dark, a warm hand
touched his arm. Asanath wrapped her arms around Joseph. Her
embrace was a pleasant balm to his wounded heart. Knowing
her husband's mind, she held him close.
Speaker 6 (11:35):
What will you do with them?
Speaker 7 (11:37):
Ah?
Speaker 2 (11:38):
I cannot let them leave. This famine will be deadly
for more years to come. They won't survive on their own.
Speaker 6 (11:45):
Will you ask them to stay? Will you reveal who
you are?
Speaker 2 (11:49):
I cannot trust him. I still don't know if they've changed.
Speaker 6 (11:54):
You haven't dured more than any one else. I know
you have been betrayed, forgotten, and cast aside. But there
would be no redemption of the land without your hardship.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Asanath hugged Joseph tightly and leaned her head against his chest,
Joseph closed his eyes, remembering the jagged stone of the
pit they threw him into. He remembered the whips on
his back and the cool, damp prison walls. With every
(12:28):
cruelty he had endured, God had redeemed him. God had
molded his hardship, pride, and trials into a beautiful tapestry
of redemption. There was not a single ounce of his
life God hadn't blessed. He wondered if God had the
(12:51):
same will for his brothers.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
Perhaps they must go through a test of their own.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
The sons of Jacob gathered to say farewell to Joseph.
Their donkeys were packed and belonging strapped over their shoulders.
The men bowed again to the governor and paid their respects.
Judah bowed his head to Joseph.
Speaker 5 (13:13):
Zephoneth Binea. Our family will remember your kindness for generations.
We pray we never have to return here, and the
famine will be over shortly.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
Joseph said nothing. He only nodded his head and dismissed them.
He then gestured to his servant, who was standing at
attention at the courtyard entrance. The servant nodded and brought
in eleven bags of grain, one by one, from oldest
to youngest. He placed each bag in front of the brothers.
(13:47):
Each brother took their grainsack and secured it to their donkeys.
Joseph watched each bag, taking note of where each one
was placed. Joseph and his family waved the men good bye.
They left the courtyard and began to make their way
out of the city. Joseph's smiled quickly faded as they went.
(14:11):
He wore the face of a man ready for battle.
He grabbed his scepter and called for his guards followed him.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
When they approached the end of the city, surround them.
Do not be gentle, bring them back so I may
speak with them.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
The guards mounted their horses and rode to the outskirts
of the city. The brothers had finally approached the main
road leading back to Canaan when a fury of horses
surrounded them. The brothers huddled together, afraid to be kicked
by one of the horses. The guards drew their swords
and pointed them down at the brothers.
Speaker 5 (14:50):
What is the meaning of this?
Speaker 1 (14:51):
The guard dismounted and approached the brothers with a dagger
in his hand. Judah stepped in front of Benjamin.
Speaker 7 (14:59):
Ah Master treated you well, yet you have decided to
disgrace him.
Speaker 5 (15:04):
What are you talking about. We've done nothing wrong that
we're grateful for Zaphniphania's generosity.
Speaker 7 (15:10):
So you say, however, despite his generosity, you felt the
need to steal from him. Our master's silver cup is missing.
Far be it from us to do such a thing.
I'm confident that none of us have stolen a thing.
Go ahead and search us. Whichever of us is found
with it shall die. The rest of us can be
(15:32):
imprisoned as slaves.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
The man raised his dagger in the air to silence them.
Speaker 7 (15:38):
It shall be as you say. Whoever has stolen from
my master shall be a slave. There is only one
way to know the truth.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
He took his dagger and ripped it through Ruben's back.
The grain becames fill onto the ground. The brothers watched
silently as he dragged the blade through Simeon's bag, thens
then Judah's. He tore apart the bags from oldest to
youngest and allowed all the contents to spill out onto
(16:10):
the floor. Lastly, he made his way to Benjamin's back.
He stabbed the bag and allowed his dagger to slide downwards.
The grain spilled out. Among it was joseph silver chalice.
He took the dagger and unsheathed it. He picked up
(16:32):
the chalice and raised it to Benjamin's face.
Speaker 7 (16:36):
This is my lord's cup. Do you not know that
this is the cup he uses for prophecy. Perhaps you
desire to steal this for his gifts.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
No, it must be a mistake, Judah shouted, darting for Benjamin.
The guards dismounted their horses and held their swords up
to them. They all watched helplessly as Benjamin was kicked
to the and beaten. They were bound with rope and
escorted back to Joseph's estate. The brothers were thrown before
(17:10):
Joseph's feet. The guards held their spears close to their necks.
Joseph stepped down from his throne. The entire room was silent,
and the brothers trembled in fear. He circled them like
a predator.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
I am the prophet of Egypt. I am the one
whom God speaks to. I welcomed you into my home.
I fed you my food, I let you drink my wine.
I give you a double portion of grain, and returned
your money to you. I once thought you were spies,
(17:48):
Yet here you are shown to be peddling and ungrateful thieves.
Speaker 5 (17:54):
Please, my Lord, we are your humble servants. What can
we say to clear our name?
Speaker 1 (18:00):
Joseph paused for a moment, memories of Judah flooding back
into his mind. He remembered looking him in the eyes
before being thrown into the pit. He'd feel the pull
of revenge gripping his heart. Everything in his flesh. Desired
to execute all of them for what they did. He
(18:24):
desired to use his power to strike them down with justice. However,
he knew God had called him to do something higher.
Joseph needed to test their hearts. It was time to
see if they had learned from their past sense. Joseph
(18:45):
softened his tone. You are free to leave. All I
require is the one who stole from me. Joseph raised
his scepter at Benjamin, You, young man, will be my slave.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
The rest of your brothers can walk away with grain
and their freedom.
Speaker 5 (19:03):
Zephinea, please do not take Benjamin.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
The brothers erupted with protest. They stood to their feet
and surrounded Benjamin.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Why do you care if I take him? You should
be thanking me. This brother is clearly your father's favorite.
I will take him, and you will have more birthright
to yourselves.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
The guards tore Benjamin away from his brothers. Judah ran
after him, only to be struck by one of the guards.
His face hit the stone floor. He winced in pain,
and blood ran down his temple. The entire room was silent.
The other brothers had spears to their necks and watched
(19:48):
helplessly as Judah stood back up to his feet. He
wiped his chin and ran back towards Benjamin again. Again,
he was struck in the head and returned the floor.
Judah lay there on the floor. Joseph did nothing. He
watched his older brother desperately try and fight for Benjamin's life.
(20:13):
Judah began to weep on the floor. He raised his
head and begged at Joseph's feet.
Speaker 4 (20:20):
Please mercy.
Speaker 5 (20:24):
His life is bound up with my father's life. If
we do not return with him, my father's soul will
fade into the grave. He will die of grief.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Why is your father's life a concern of mine?
Speaker 1 (20:38):
Blood dripped down Judah's head as he looked Joseph in
the eyes. Joseph had noted something profoundly different than Judah,
something he had not yet noticed. Pain, years and years
of pain behind Judah's eyes was the shame of his
(21:01):
past sins. It was he who had decided to sell
Joseph into slavery. He was the one who had led
the brothers against him. Since then he lived a life
of regret and anguish. Judah shook his head and lifted
his arms to Joseph. With labored breathing.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
Judah said, take me instead.
Speaker 1 (21:26):
Joseph's heart stopped beating when he heard the words fall
from Judah's lips.
Speaker 5 (21:32):
What did you say, Have me remain as a slave
on Benjamin's behalf? Let me suffer so he can live.
Speaker 1 (21:39):
Judah, on his knees, with his arms stretched outward, gave
himself up to suffer so the one he loved could live.
He would take on the bondage so his brother could
go free. At that moment, Joseph knew in his heart
(21:59):
that Judah and the rest of his brothers had truly changed.
The heart of God had reached them. It was all
Joseph needed to hear. Joseph said to his servants and guards,
leave us. The guards lowered their spears and departed with
the rest of the servants. Then Asanath and her two
(22:21):
sons went back into their rooms. Joseph stepped forward to
Judah and knelt before him, tears streaming.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
Down his cheeks. You shall not be a slave.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
Joseph slowly raised his hands and removed his head dress.
His brown curls fell across his forehead. He looked at Judah,
whose head was held low. The two of them knelt
there in silence for a long time. Joseph put his
(22:55):
hand on his shoulder and said, it is me, I
am Joseph. Judah raised his head and looked at him, Joseph.
The brothers stood to their feet and looked closer. Before
them stood their long lost brother, the one whom they
(23:15):
had betrayed and abandoned. Judah's bloodied face trembled at the
sight of him.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
Joseph, do not be afraid. You can come near me.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
The brothers came close to Joseph, with their heads held
low and filled with regret. Seeing their brother's face had
initially filled them with joy, but now they felt shame
deep within their hearts. The brother they had once sold
into slavery was now the second most powerful man in
(23:51):
the known world. Yet he knelt before them as an equal,
with tears and joy in his voice. Joseph lifted Judah
to his feet and embraced him. He held his face.
Look at me, Judah, Judah, wouldn't He continued to shake
(24:12):
his head in shame.
Speaker 2 (24:13):
Judah, look at everything around you. Egypt is safe from
famine because of what God has done. Do not hold
your head low in shame because you sold me here.
God send me here to preserve life. He knew that
one day famine would endanger the land and one of
us would have to prepare the way to deliverance.
Speaker 1 (24:36):
Judah looked up at Joseph, unable to speak. The brothers
were in awe of what Joseph had become. The last
time they saw his face, he was a young boy
being carted off like an animal. The brideful boy they
once hated was now a ruler and filled with the
(25:01):
joy of God. Joseph laughed and brought his brothers in close.
His heart was overflowing with exultation to the Lord. He
held them tightly and closed his eyes.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
What you intended for evil, good intended for good.
Speaker 1 (25:23):
Joseph showed mercy to his brothers, mercy that created a
cascading effect across generations.
Speaker 4 (25:40):
Blessed her the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. This
beatitude highlights the importance of mercy in the life of
a believer. Mercy involves compassion, forgiveness, and a willingness to
overlook offenses. It's about showing kindness to those in need
and offering forgiveness to those who have wronged us. Jesus
(26:03):
teaches that those who extend mercy will in turn receive
mercy from God. Being merciful reflects the character of a
heavenly citizen, aligning us with God's nature of compassion and grace. Now,
let's turn to the story of Joseph forgiving his brothers,
found in Genesis fifty fifteen through twenty one. This story
(26:27):
is a powerful demonstration of mercy and forgiveness. Joseph, sold
into slavery by his jealous brothers, endured years of hardship,
including imprisonment. Yet through God's providence, he rose to become
the second most powerful man in Egypt, and when a
famine struck, his brothers came to Egypt seeking food, not
(26:48):
recognizing Joseph. Eventually, Joseph revealed his identity to them and
forgave them. After their father, Jacob's death, the brothers feared
Joseph would seek revenge. In Genesis chapter fifty, verses fifteen
through twenty one, we read when Joseph's brothers saw that
their father was dead, They said, what if Joseph holds
(27:10):
a grudge against us and pays us back for all
the wrongs we did to him? But Joseph said to them,
don't be afraid, am I in the place of God.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for
good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving
of many lives. So then don't be afraid. I will
provide for you and your children. And he reassured them
(27:32):
and spoke kindly to them. Joseph's response is a remarkable
example of mercy. Despite the immense suffering his brothers caused him,
he chose to forgive them and care for them. His words,
you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good,
show his understanding of God's sovereignty and willingness to let
(27:55):
go of vengeance. God has forgiven us a mountain of death.
Although our sins were like scarlet, Christ has washed us
white as snow. The crimes others have committed against us
pale in comparison to what we've done to God, yet
he forgives us. Forgiving others isn't about condoning what they did,
(28:18):
but rather treating them like God treats us. How can we,
like Joseph, live out the values of mercy as taught
in Matthew Chapter five, verse seven. First, we must forgive freely.
Romans chapter two, verse eleven tells us that God shows
no favoritism. He forgives everyone, from the morally upright citizen
(28:40):
to the most debased criminal. If we are to truly
forgive as God forgave, then we ought never to show
partiality in our forgiveness. Just as Joseph forgave his brothers,
we are called to forgive those who wrong us. This
doesn't mean ignoring the hurt, but choosing to let go
of resentment and offer forgiveness, trusting in God's justice. Next,
(29:05):
we are to show compassion. Mercy extends beyond simple forgiveness.
It recognizes the hurt, corruption, and bondage it takes for
someone to commit such acts of evil. In this way,
we see people as lost and in need of guidance,
rather than villains in need of vanquishing. The Next time
(29:26):
someone wrongs. You ask this, what have they gone through?
What deep pain have they experienced to make them want
to inflict pain on others? Look at people with compassionate
eyes and see where sin can give way to transformation.
After all, it's when we wash people's feet that we
(29:46):
can see why they walk the way they do. Thirdly,
we must let go of vengeance. Joseph's refusal to seek
revenge teaches us the importance of letting go of vengeance.
We must t tr us that God will handle justice
and focus on responding with love and mercy. When we
lash out at others in retaliation, all we do is
(30:09):
contribute to the never ending cycle of aggression. Break the cycle. Next,
we are called to seek reconciliation. Romans twelve says that
as much as it depends on us, we should live
peaceably with all people. The key there is as much
as it depends on us. We are called to do
(30:30):
all we can to seek reconciliation. Some might not want
to put forth the same effort, but at least we
can say we did all we could. As we reflect
on Jesus's words, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall
receive mercy and the story of Joseph forgiving his brothers.
Let us strive to embody mercy in our lives. May
(30:53):
we extend compassion, forgiveness, and kindness to others, reflecting the
character of Jesus in all we do. Let us pray
for the strength to be true citizens of Heaven, living
out the mercy that we have so graciously received from God.
(31:13):
Thanks again for listening. If you haven't yet followed or
subscribed to our podcast, be sure to do so. It
makes sure you never miss an episode, but it also
helps us get discovered by more people. Thanks for joining us.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew
five seven. Heavenly Father, teach us the profound depth of
mercy that you have shown us, that we might extend
the same to others. Let mercy flow from us, naturally,
(00:24):
touching every interaction, every judgment, every response, in still a
heart that mirrors your own, kind, forgiving and compassionate. May
we remember that in being merciful, we not only emulate
(00:45):
your character, but also open our lives to receive your
mercy in fuller measure. Help us to see through the
lens of grace, to act with kindness, and to forgive generously,
for in doing so we truly reflect your love to
(01:06):
the world. In the name of Jesus, our greatest example
of mercy, we pray Amen. Thank you for praying with
me today. This is the Jesus Podcast, Stories crafted to
grow your faith and awaken your imagination. Remain here for
(01:30):
another story inspired by the Sermon on the Mount. If
this podcast has blessed you so far, we would love
it if you left us a review. We want to
hear how the Gospel is changing lies. Jesus wasn't a
worldly king. He wasn't after glory in conquest. He was
(01:54):
on a mission to pierce hearts. The beginning of his
sermon flipped peace perspective of what it meant to be
blessed upside down. He described hearts moved by humility, mourning, meekness,
and the thirst for righteousness.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Blessed are the poor in spirit.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those
who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are they who
hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
It was countercultural. The antithesis of Roman rule were the
kingdoms of the world, but Christ's kingdom was not of
this world. His army was filled with outcasts, beggars and vagamonds,
broken people with redeemed hearts and renewed minds. With a
(02:59):
thor and conviction, Jesus continued saying.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
Those who have truly experienced mercy know how to give
it in return. It's a heavenly cycle that marks a
kingdom citizen. Those who withhold mercy reveals something about their hearts.
They haven't truly been affected deeply by the Gospel. This
is the Jesus Podcast. For the past week, we've been
(03:31):
connecting Jesus's Sermon on the Mount with other biblical stories,
showing how the Bible interweaves into a grand tapestry of
God's kingdom. Today, our focus is on Matthew chapter five,
verse seven, which states blessed her the merciful, for they
shall receive mercy. We'll explore what it means to be merciful,
(03:52):
how this virtue is exemplified in the story of Joseph
for giving his brothers in Genesis chapter fifty, verses fifteen
through twenty one, and how we can embody these values
in our everyday lives.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Hatred, dark, deep, powerful, hatred prowled like a lion, waiting
to devour Joseph's heart. God had taken Joseph to new heights,
making him ruler of Egypt, But as he stood before
his brothers who had betrayed him, he felt like that
(04:31):
wounded and betrayed child who was sold into slavery long ago.
They didn't know it was Joseph, the brother they had
beaten and sold as a slave. They thought Joseph had
been long dead. No, to them, he was Zapphanath Peneia,
(04:52):
steward of Egypt's wealth and right hand to Pharaoh. Even
though he was the most power. They were a full
man in the world besides Pharaoh. Joseph felt vulnerable in
front of them.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Could I show myself to them? What if? What if?
Nothing has changed?
Speaker 1 (05:13):
It would have been much easier to get revenge on them.
Joseph could have each of his twelve brothers executed with
a snap of his fingers. He found himself teetering between
rage and joy. Joseph wanted a connection with his brothers.
He longed to be a family once again. However, he
(05:37):
couldn't trust them after what they had done. Joseph watched
the way they treated Benjamin the youngest. They danced with him,
laughed with him, and showed him the brotherly affection Joseph
never received. They loved each other deeply, and Joseph's heart
(05:58):
broke over the years he had lost. He slumped back
in his throne, wrestling with his flesh. Joseph hoisted his
brothers in his palace. He showered them with food, wide
and exotic fruits. He wanted to observe them to see
if they had changed. Joseph smiled and clapped his hands together.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
My friends, I am pleased you have enjoyed our hospitality.
Please stay the night here so you can rest. I
am sure your journey has been long.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
Judah bowed his head in reverence.
Speaker 5 (06:37):
You are too kind to us Zaepeneth Pinea. We had
never expected such kindness from you, especially after the last
time we were here.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
He pulled Benjamin in close and tucked him under his
large arms.
Speaker 5 (06:50):
Huh, our father will be pleased that Benjamin was treated
so well.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Joseph winced at Judah's affection towards Benjamin. He couldn't shake
the feeling that it was all a lie. They had
once hated Joseph for being the favorite son, but now
they seemed to love Benjamin. Joseph studied the brothers carefully.
(07:16):
They seemed to be changed men, transformed by conviction and hardship.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Your father is a blessed man to have so many sons.
You said that one of them was taken from you.
Speaker 5 (07:30):
Correct, Yes, my lord, we had a younger brother before Benjamin.
Joseph was his name. He is no more wild animals
devoured him.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
In the wilderness, Joseph observed a notable change in his brothers.
Their faces were despondent and filled with shame. Joseph's eyes
darted like a hawk's. He was carefully observing their every move,
seeking to understand their hearts.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
That is unfortunate.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
He placed his hands behind his back and stepped towards them.
He paced around them, scanning them up and down.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
You must have loved this brother very much. M It
sure seems like all of you are so close. It
must have been tragic for you to lose him.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
The brothers remained silent, eyes on the ground. Joseph's face twitched.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
It's obvious that you are men who fear God and
would never deal with anyone dishonestly.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
None of the brothers made eye contact. They all felt
the collective shame of what they did to Joseph so
long ago. Joseph knew he had struck a chord with them.
He continued to pace around them, saying.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Your brother, Benjamin is blessed to have not all brothers
take kindly to one being the favorite.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
He placed his hands on Benjamin's shoulders and.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
Smiled, you, my son, are truly blessed, it was in
honor to host you. Now get some rest. I am
sure your father is eager to see you again.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
With those words, Joseph departed back to his chambers. The
brothers were escorted to a private villa outside Joseph's home.
They were treated to warm baths and linen blankets. That night,
they slept full and happy. However, Joseph was awake all night,
(09:42):
wrestling with his heart. Joseph spent the night outside his room,
gazing up at the skies. The expanse of heaven overwhelmed him.
The way the star stretched far beyond the horizon filled
him with wonder. He looked at the torches illuminating the
(10:04):
city below, mimicking the stars above. A gentle breeze blew
blissfully across Joseph's face. He leaned over the balcony, gripping
it tightly. A small stream of tears fell down his cheek.
(10:25):
Joseph shook his head, Unsure about what to do next,
he sighed and thought about his dreams. He thought about
the stars and sheaves of grain bowing to him. God
gave him those dreams for a purpose, But what was
(10:46):
the purpose. Surely it couldn't be revenge. Joseph sat in
a place of power, influence, and riches because of his
brother's sins. He blamed them for his suffering. However, God
had used it for good. But the question remained, what
(11:12):
was he going to do about his brothers? As Joseph
wrestled with these questions in the dark, a warm hand
touched his arm. Asanath wrapped her arms around Joseph. Her
embrace was a pleasant balm to his wounded heart. Knowing
her husband's mind, she held him close.
Speaker 6 (11:35):
What will you do with them?
Speaker 7 (11:37):
Ah?
Speaker 2 (11:38):
I cannot let them leave. This famine will be deadly
for more years to come. They won't survive on their own.
Speaker 6 (11:45):
Will you ask them to stay? Will you reveal who
you are?
Speaker 2 (11:49):
I cannot trust him. I still don't know if they've changed.
Speaker 6 (11:54):
You haven't dured more than any one else. I know
you have been betrayed, forgotten, and cast aside. But there
would be no redemption of the land without your hardship.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Asanath hugged Joseph tightly and leaned her head against his chest,
Joseph closed his eyes, remembering the jagged stone of the
pit they threw him into. He remembered the whips on
his back and the cool, damp prison walls. With every
(12:28):
cruelty he had endured, God had redeemed him. God had
molded his hardship, pride, and trials into a beautiful tapestry
of redemption. There was not a single ounce of his
life God hadn't blessed. He wondered if God had the
(12:51):
same will for his brothers.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
Perhaps they must go through a test of their own.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
The sons of Jacob gathered to say farewell to Joseph.
Their donkeys were packed and belonging strapped over their shoulders.
The men bowed again to the governor and paid their respects.
Judah bowed his head to Joseph.
Speaker 5 (13:13):
Zephoneth Binea. Our family will remember your kindness for generations.
We pray we never have to return here, and the
famine will be over shortly.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
Joseph said nothing. He only nodded his head and dismissed them.
He then gestured to his servant, who was standing at
attention at the courtyard entrance. The servant nodded and brought
in eleven bags of grain, one by one, from oldest
to youngest. He placed each bag in front of the brothers.
(13:47):
Each brother took their grainsack and secured it to their donkeys.
Joseph watched each bag, taking note of where each one
was placed. Joseph and his family waved the men good bye.
They left the courtyard and began to make their way
out of the city. Joseph's smiled quickly faded as they went.
(14:11):
He wore the face of a man ready for battle.
He grabbed his scepter and called for his guards followed him.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
When they approached the end of the city, surround them.
Do not be gentle, bring them back so I may
speak with them.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
The guards mounted their horses and rode to the outskirts
of the city. The brothers had finally approached the main
road leading back to Canaan when a fury of horses
surrounded them. The brothers huddled together, afraid to be kicked
by one of the horses. The guards drew their swords
and pointed them down at the brothers.
Speaker 5 (14:50):
What is the meaning of this?
Speaker 1 (14:51):
The guard dismounted and approached the brothers with a dagger
in his hand. Judah stepped in front of Benjamin.
Speaker 7 (14:59):
Ah Master treated you well, yet you have decided to
disgrace him.
Speaker 5 (15:04):
What are you talking about. We've done nothing wrong that
we're grateful for Zaphniphania's generosity.
Speaker 7 (15:10):
So you say, however, despite his generosity, you felt the
need to steal from him. Our master's silver cup is missing.
Far be it from us to do such a thing.
I'm confident that none of us have stolen a thing.
Go ahead and search us. Whichever of us is found
with it shall die. The rest of us can be
(15:32):
imprisoned as slaves.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
The man raised his dagger in the air to silence them.
Speaker 7 (15:38):
It shall be as you say. Whoever has stolen from
my master shall be a slave. There is only one
way to know the truth.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
He took his dagger and ripped it through Ruben's back.
The grain becames fill onto the ground. The brothers watched
silently as he dragged the blade through Simeon's bag, thens
then Judah's. He tore apart the bags from oldest to
youngest and allowed all the contents to spill out onto
(16:10):
the floor. Lastly, he made his way to Benjamin's back.
He stabbed the bag and allowed his dagger to slide downwards.
The grain spilled out. Among it was joseph silver chalice.
He took the dagger and unsheathed it. He picked up
(16:32):
the chalice and raised it to Benjamin's face.
Speaker 7 (16:36):
This is my lord's cup. Do you not know that
this is the cup he uses for prophecy. Perhaps you
desire to steal this for his gifts.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
No, it must be a mistake, Judah shouted, darting for Benjamin.
The guards dismounted their horses and held their swords up
to them. They all watched helplessly as Benjamin was kicked
to the and beaten. They were bound with rope and
escorted back to Joseph's estate. The brothers were thrown before
(17:10):
Joseph's feet. The guards held their spears close to their necks.
Joseph stepped down from his throne. The entire room was silent,
and the brothers trembled in fear. He circled them like
a predator.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
I am the prophet of Egypt. I am the one
whom God speaks to. I welcomed you into my home.
I fed you my food, I let you drink my wine.
I give you a double portion of grain, and returned
your money to you. I once thought you were spies,
(17:48):
Yet here you are shown to be peddling and ungrateful thieves.
Speaker 5 (17:54):
Please, my Lord, we are your humble servants. What can
we say to clear our name?
Speaker 1 (18:00):
Joseph paused for a moment, memories of Judah flooding back
into his mind. He remembered looking him in the eyes
before being thrown into the pit. He'd feel the pull
of revenge gripping his heart. Everything in his flesh. Desired
to execute all of them for what they did. He
(18:24):
desired to use his power to strike them down with justice. However,
he knew God had called him to do something higher.
Joseph needed to test their hearts. It was time to
see if they had learned from their past sense. Joseph
(18:45):
softened his tone. You are free to leave. All I
require is the one who stole from me. Joseph raised
his scepter at Benjamin, You, young man, will be my slave.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
The rest of your brothers can walk away with grain
and their freedom.
Speaker 5 (19:03):
Zephinea, please do not take Benjamin.
Speaker 1 (19:07):
The brothers erupted with protest. They stood to their feet
and surrounded Benjamin.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Why do you care if I take him? You should
be thanking me. This brother is clearly your father's favorite.
I will take him, and you will have more birthright
to yourselves.
Speaker 1 (19:26):
The guards tore Benjamin away from his brothers. Judah ran
after him, only to be struck by one of the guards.
His face hit the stone floor. He winced in pain,
and blood ran down his temple. The entire room was silent.
The other brothers had spears to their necks and watched
(19:48):
helplessly as Judah stood back up to his feet. He
wiped his chin and ran back towards Benjamin again. Again,
he was struck in the head and returned the floor.
Judah lay there on the floor. Joseph did nothing. He
watched his older brother desperately try and fight for Benjamin's life.
(20:13):
Judah began to weep on the floor. He raised his
head and begged at Joseph's feet.
Speaker 4 (20:20):
Please mercy.
Speaker 5 (20:24):
His life is bound up with my father's life. If
we do not return with him, my father's soul will
fade into the grave. He will die of grief.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Why is your father's life a concern of mine?
Speaker 1 (20:38):
Blood dripped down Judah's head as he looked Joseph in
the eyes. Joseph had noted something profoundly different than Judah,
something he had not yet noticed. Pain, years and years
of pain behind Judah's eyes was the shame of his
(21:01):
past sins. It was he who had decided to sell
Joseph into slavery. He was the one who had led
the brothers against him. Since then he lived a life
of regret and anguish. Judah shook his head and lifted
his arms to Joseph. With labored breathing.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
Judah said, take me instead.
Speaker 1 (21:26):
Joseph's heart stopped beating when he heard the words fall
from Judah's lips.
Speaker 5 (21:32):
What did you say, Have me remain as a slave
on Benjamin's behalf? Let me suffer so he can live.
Speaker 1 (21:39):
Judah, on his knees, with his arms stretched outward, gave
himself up to suffer so the one he loved could live.
He would take on the bondage so his brother could
go free. At that moment, Joseph knew in his heart
(21:59):
that Judah and the rest of his brothers had truly changed.
The heart of God had reached them. It was all
Joseph needed to hear. Joseph said to his servants and guards,
leave us. The guards lowered their spears and departed with
the rest of the servants. Then Asanath and her two
(22:21):
sons went back into their rooms. Joseph stepped forward to
Judah and knelt before him, tears streaming.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
Down his cheeks. You shall not be a slave.
Speaker 1 (22:34):
Joseph slowly raised his hands and removed his head dress.
His brown curls fell across his forehead. He looked at Judah,
whose head was held low. The two of them knelt
there in silence for a long time. Joseph put his
(22:55):
hand on his shoulder and said, it is me, I
am Joseph. Judah raised his head and looked at him, Joseph.
The brothers stood to their feet and looked closer. Before
them stood their long lost brother, the one whom they
(23:15):
had betrayed and abandoned. Judah's bloodied face trembled at the
sight of him.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
Joseph, do not be afraid. You can come near me.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
The brothers came close to Joseph, with their heads held
low and filled with regret. Seeing their brother's face had
initially filled them with joy, but now they felt shame
deep within their hearts. The brother they had once sold
into slavery was now the second most powerful man in
(23:51):
the known world. Yet he knelt before them as an equal,
with tears and joy in his voice. Joseph lifted Judah
to his feet and embraced him. He held his face.
Look at me, Judah, Judah, wouldn't He continued to shake
(24:12):
his head in shame.
Speaker 2 (24:13):
Judah, look at everything around you. Egypt is safe from
famine because of what God has done. Do not hold
your head low in shame because you sold me here.
God send me here to preserve life. He knew that
one day famine would endanger the land and one of
us would have to prepare the way to deliverance.
Speaker 1 (24:36):
Judah looked up at Joseph, unable to speak. The brothers
were in awe of what Joseph had become. The last
time they saw his face, he was a young boy
being carted off like an animal. The brideful boy they
once hated was now a ruler and filled with the
(25:01):
joy of God. Joseph laughed and brought his brothers in close.
His heart was overflowing with exultation to the Lord. He
held them tightly and closed his eyes.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
What you intended for evil, good intended for good.
Speaker 1 (25:23):
Joseph showed mercy to his brothers, mercy that created a
cascading effect across generations.
Speaker 4 (25:40):
Blessed her the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. This
beatitude highlights the importance of mercy in the life of
a believer. Mercy involves compassion, forgiveness, and a willingness to
overlook offenses. It's about showing kindness to those in need
and offering forgiveness to those who have wronged us. Jesus
(26:03):
teaches that those who extend mercy will in turn receive
mercy from God. Being merciful reflects the character of a
heavenly citizen, aligning us with God's nature of compassion and grace. Now,
let's turn to the story of Joseph forgiving his brothers,
found in Genesis fifty fifteen through twenty one. This story
(26:27):
is a powerful demonstration of mercy and forgiveness. Joseph, sold
into slavery by his jealous brothers, endured years of hardship,
including imprisonment. Yet through God's providence, he rose to become
the second most powerful man in Egypt, and when a
famine struck, his brothers came to Egypt seeking food, not
(26:48):
recognizing Joseph. Eventually, Joseph revealed his identity to them and
forgave them. After their father, Jacob's death, the brothers feared
Joseph would seek revenge. In Genesis chapter fifty, verses fifteen
through twenty one, we read when Joseph's brothers saw that
their father was dead, They said, what if Joseph holds
(27:10):
a grudge against us and pays us back for all
the wrongs we did to him? But Joseph said to them,
don't be afraid, am I in the place of God.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for
good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving
of many lives. So then don't be afraid. I will
provide for you and your children. And he reassured them
(27:32):
and spoke kindly to them. Joseph's response is a remarkable
example of mercy. Despite the immense suffering his brothers caused him,
he chose to forgive them and care for them. His words,
you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good,
show his understanding of God's sovereignty and willingness to let
(27:55):
go of vengeance. God has forgiven us a mountain of death.
Although our sins were like scarlet, Christ has washed us
white as snow. The crimes others have committed against us
pale in comparison to what we've done to God, yet
he forgives us. Forgiving others isn't about condoning what they did,
(28:18):
but rather treating them like God treats us. How can we,
like Joseph, live out the values of mercy as taught
in Matthew Chapter five, verse seven. First, we must forgive freely.
Romans chapter two, verse eleven tells us that God shows
no favoritism. He forgives everyone, from the morally upright citizen
(28:40):
to the most debased criminal. If we are to truly
forgive as God forgave, then we ought never to show
partiality in our forgiveness. Just as Joseph forgave his brothers,
we are called to forgive those who wrong us. This
doesn't mean ignoring the hurt, but choosing to let go
of resentment and offer forgiveness, trusting in God's justice. Next,
(29:05):
we are to show compassion. Mercy extends beyond simple forgiveness.
It recognizes the hurt, corruption, and bondage it takes for
someone to commit such acts of evil. In this way,
we see people as lost and in need of guidance,
rather than villains in need of vanquishing. The Next time
(29:26):
someone wrongs. You ask this, what have they gone through?
What deep pain have they experienced to make them want
to inflict pain on others? Look at people with compassionate
eyes and see where sin can give way to transformation.
After all, it's when we wash people's feet that we
(29:46):
can see why they walk the way they do. Thirdly,
we must let go of vengeance. Joseph's refusal to seek
revenge teaches us the importance of letting go of vengeance.
We must t tr us that God will handle justice
and focus on responding with love and mercy. When we
lash out at others in retaliation, all we do is
(30:09):
contribute to the never ending cycle of aggression. Break the cycle. Next,
we are called to seek reconciliation. Romans twelve says that
as much as it depends on us, we should live
peaceably with all people. The key there is as much
as it depends on us. We are called to do
(30:30):
all we can to seek reconciliation. Some might not want
to put forth the same effort, but at least we
can say we did all we could. As we reflect
on Jesus's words, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall
receive mercy and the story of Joseph forgiving his brothers.
Let us strive to embody mercy in our lives. May
(30:53):
we extend compassion, forgiveness, and kindness to others, reflecting the
character of Jesus in all we do. Let us pray
for the strength to be true citizens of Heaven, living
out the mercy that we have so graciously received from God.
(31:13):
Thanks again for listening. If you haven't yet followed or
subscribed to our podcast, be sure to do so. It
makes sure you never miss an episode, but it also
helps us get discovered by more people. Thanks for joining us.
Host
Zak Shellabarger
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