“God Meant It unto Good” Genesis 42–50
Ask: What verse in these chapters caught your attention? What verse did you find yourself reading more than once? What verse did you share with someone? What verse led to an insightful discussion with your family or friends?
Forgiveness brings peace. (Genesis 45:1-15; 50:15-21)
Have someone briefly tell the story of Joseph.
Joseph’s brothers were jealous and did not like him. They were going to kill him and they decided to sell him as a slave and sent him to Egypt. He found favor with Potiphar until his wife accused him of being inappropriate with her and was put in prison. He gained favor there, too. He interpreted some dreams and gained favor of the Pharaoh. He helped with country store extra food for seven years of famine.
Joseph’s brother came to Egypt but did not recognize him. Joseph did not want to take revenge of them, but wanted to know if they had changed.
Why might it have been hard for Joseph to forgive his brothers? Was if difficult for him?
Reading about Joseph forgiving his brothers for the terrible things they did to him may prompt you to think about someone you are currently struggling to forgive. Or perhaps a difficult test of forgiveness is in your future. Either way, it might help to ponder why Joseph was able to forgive.
What clues about Joseph’s character and attitude do you find in Genesis 45; 50:15–21? How might his experiences have influenced him to be more forgiving?
Notice the blessings that came to Joseph’s family because of his forgiveness. What blessings came from Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers? How might things have turned out differently if Joseph had not been willing to forgive?
What blessings have you seen from forgiveness? Do you feel inspired to reach out to someone who has wronged you?
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “I have discovered one thing that most [happy families] have in common: they have a way of forgiving and forgetting the imperfections of others and of looking for the good.
“Those in unhappy families, on the other hand, often find fault, hold grudges, and can’t seem to let go of past offenses. …
“It is through our Savior’s sacrifice that we can gain exaltation and eternal life. As we accept His ways and overcome our pride by softening our hearts, we can bring reconciliation and forgiveness into our families and our personal lives. God will help us to be more forgiving, to be more willing to walk the second mile, to be first to apologize even if something wasn’t our fault, to lay aside old grudges and nurture them no more” (“One Key to a Happy Family,” Ensign or Liahona, Oct. 2012, 5–6).
Do we ever see contention and/or jealousy in our homes today?
Are there ways that you could think of from this story that could help families today overcome contention and jealousy?
Elder James E Faust taught us: If we can find forgiveness in our hearts for those who have caused us hurt and injury, we will rise to a higher level of self-esteem and well-being. Some recent studies show that people who are taught to forgive become “less angry, more hopeful, less depressed, less anxious and less stressed,” which leads to greater physical well-being. Another of these studies concludes “that forgiveness … is a liberating gift [that] people can give to themselves.” (The Healing Power of Forgiveness – James E Faust)
The video “Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) 8:24. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2010-07-0014-forgiveness-my-burden-was-made-light?lang=eng provides another inspiring example of forgiveness.
President James E. Faust when this happened was a member of the First Presidency and he talked about how justice and consequences are related to forgiveness and peace. In the following statement he referred to the tragedy that occurred when Bishop Christopher Williams’s car was struck by a drunk teenage driver, killing his pregnant wife and two of his children:
“Most of us need time to work through pain and loss. We can find all manner of reasons for postponing forgiveness. One of these reasons is waiting for the wrongdoers to repent before we forgive them. Yet such a delay causes us to forfeit the peace and happiness that could be ours. The folly of rehashing long-past hurts does not bring happiness.
“Some hold grudges for a lifetime, unaware that courageously forgiving those who have wronged us is wholesome and therapeutic. …
“… Only as we rid ourselves of hatred and bitterness can the Lord put comfort into our hearts. …
“Of course, society needs to be protected from hardened criminals, because mercy cannot rob justice [see Alma 42:25]. Bishop Williams addressed this concept so well when he said, ‘Forgiveness is a source of power. But it does not relieve us of consequences’ [in Deseret Morning News, Feb. 13, 2007, A8]. When tragedy strikes, we should not respond by seeking personal revenge but rather let justice take its course and then let go. It is not easy to let go and empty our hearts of festering resentment. The Savior has offered to all of us a precious peace through His Atonement, but this can come only as we are willing to cast out negative feelings of anger, spite, or revenge. For all of us who forgive ‘those who trespass against us’ [Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 6:13] even those who have committed serious crimes, the Atonement brings a measure of peace and comfort” (“The Healing Power of Forgiveness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 68–69).
What blessings have you or someone you know experienced as a result of forgiving someone?
How does the Savior help us forgive others?
In April Conference of 2018, Elder Echo Hawk, a member of the Seventies gave a talk about forgiveness and he issued this challenge, which I, in turn, issue to us.
“Brothers and sisters, are there people in our lives who have hurt us? Do we harbor what seems like fully justifies feelings of resentment and anger? Are we letting pride keep us from forgiving and letting go? I invite all of us to forgive completely and let healing occur from within. And even if forgiveness doesn’t come today, know that as we desire it and work for it, it will come.
Please also remember that an essential element of forgiveness includes forgiving ourselves.
“He who has repented of his sins,” the Lord said, “the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.”
I plead for all of us this day to remember and follow the example of Jesus Christ. On the cross at Golgotha, in His anguish, He uttered these words: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
By having a forgiving spirit and acting upon it, we can realize the promise of the Savior: “Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
As we forgive, the Savior will strengthen us, and His power and joy will flow into our lives.”
The works of Joseph, Moses, and Joseph Smith testify of the mission of Jesus Christ.
In many ways, Joseph’s life parallels that of Jesus Christ.
Paper comparing Joseph and Christ - Class members could work together to fill it out.
Even though our sins caused Him great suffering, the Savior offers forgiveness, delivering all of us from a fate far worse than famine. Whether we need to receive forgiveness or extend it—at some point we all need to do both—Joseph’s example points us to the Savior, the true source of healing and reconciliation.
In the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis 50, (Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 50:24–38 (in the Bible appendix). we are told that the Lord will raise up Moses and also a Joseph in the latter days. These men will do great works and testify of Jesus Christ.
One of my favorite similarities between Moses and Jesus is their role of being deliverers. God raised Moses up to deliver His people, the Israelites, from Egyptian bondage. God sent Jesus to earth not only to teach us His ways, but also to deliver us from the bondage of sin and eternal death.
In JST Genesis 50 Verse 33 talking about Joseph Smith it says. “… and he shall be like unto you; for the thing which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand shall bring my people unto salvation.” We know he brought back our Savior’s church which certainly can bring us to salvation.
God can help us find meaning in our trials. Genesis 50:19–21
Read Genesis 50”19-21. Though it may not have been clear while he was going through his severe trials, Joseph was eventually able to look back on his adversity in Egypt and see that “God meant it unto good”.
19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
20 But as for you, ye thought aevil against me; but God bmeant it unto cgood, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will anourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
How might the thought expressed in Genesis 50:19–21 help us in times of trial?
If we are faithful, God can direct our lives and help us make trials become blessings for ourselves and others.
For one example, see the video “Unto All the World: The Sam Family” 3:28. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2014-03-0012-unto-all-the-world-the-sam-family-story?lang=eng (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Is anyone willing to talk about ways God has blessed them, even through difficult experiences they’ve had.
What does Doctrine and Covenants 122 (Liberty Jail) add to our understanding of this principle?
Elder Howard W Hunter taught us, “To exercise faith is to trust that the Lord knows what He is doing with you and that He can accomplish it for your eternal good even though you cannot understand how He can possibly do it. We are like infants in our understanding of eternal matters and their impact on us here in mortality. Yet at times we act as if we knew it all. When you pass through trials for His purposes, as you trust Him, exercise faith in Him, He will help you. That support will generally come step by step, a portion at a time. While you are passing through each phase, the pain and difficulty that comes from being enlarged will continue. If all matters were immediately resolved at your first petition, you could not grow. Your Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son love you perfectly. They would not require you to experience a moment more of difficulty than is absolutely needed for your personal benefit or for that of those you love.
To recognize the hand of the Lord in your life and to accept His will without complaint is a beginning. That decision does not immediately eliminate the struggles that will come for your growth. But I witness that it is the best way there is for you to find strength and understanding. It will free you from the dead ends of your own reasoning. It will allow your life to become a productive, meaningful experience, when otherwise you may not know how to go on (see D&C 24:8).”
From the story of Joseph and from the unfortunate events in the world around us, its easy to see bad things happen to good people. Righteous living does not mean we will avoid challenges and sadness in our lives. However, just as the Lord was with Joseph in his adversity, He will be with us. Trials will inevitably come. But if we go through them with a determination to hear Him, the Lord will guide and inspire us, just as he did Joseph.
