“In The Beginning…” …

Lessons About Life Revealed In The Scripture’s First Book

“In The Beginning…” Resisting Personal Vengeance Scott Abernathy

“In The Beginning…” The Story of Joseph. Genesis 37,  Joseph, one of Jacob’s sons. Favored by Jacob. Shown preferential treatment.  Sold by his brothers as a slave into Egypt.  Falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife. Imprisoned.  Interprets butler, bakers dreams. Forgotten. Resisting Personal Vengeance

“In The Beginning…” The Story of Joseph. Genesis 37,  Interprets Pharaoh’s dreams.  Become 2 nd highest ruler in Egypt.  Reunited with his brothers, father.  Family moves to Egypt. Resisting Personal Vengeance

“In The Beginning…” Joseph Hated & Mistreated by Brothers  What factors caused this?  Jacob’s Preferential treatment of Joseph  Jacob loved him more. Child of his old age.  Joseph given a coat of many colors.  Joseph’s Dreams  Portrayed Joseph’s families as bowing down to him.  Joseph’s Reporting of their actions Resisting Personal Vengeance

“In The Beginning…” Joseph’s Brothers’ Evil Actions Against Him  Couldn’t speak peaceably to him.  Disputed the implications of Joseph’s Dreams  Plotted to Kill Him  Stripped him of his coat  Threw him into a pit  Sold him to Ishmaelite Traders for 20 shekels of Silver  Fabricated evidence to stage Joseph’s death before their father.  Allowed their father to needlessly grieve for years. Resisting Personal Vengeance

“In The Beginning…” Problems Joseph Experienced Because of His Brothers  Taken to Egypt. Sold to Potiphar, officer of Pharaoh  Refused the advances of Potiphar’s Wife.  Potiphar’s wife claims Joseph attempted to rape her.  Joseph falsely imprisoned.  While in prison, Joseph interprets dreams for butler and baker, but is forgotten by cupbearer.  Joseph remains in prison for two full years.  Emotional pain experienced by Jacob, and Joseph. Resisting Personal Vengeance

“In The Beginning…” Once he had risen in power, what actions might he have taken?  Sought retribution against, Potiphar, Potiphar’s wife, Butler.  Could have had his brothers imprisoned, tortured or executed.  Could have made servants/slaves of his brothers.  Could have refused contact with them. Resisting Personal Vengeance

“In The Beginning…” Joseph Refused to Take Vengeance  After Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers become worried.  Brothers remind Joseph of Jacob’s charge to forgive.  “We are your servants.”  Joseph Reacted Favorably Toward his Brothers.  “Am I in God’s place?”  God used these events for good.  Joseph takes care of his brothers and their families. Resisting Personal Vengeance

“In The Beginning…” God Forbids Us to Exact Our Own Revenge.  Leviticus 19:18; Proverbs 24:28-29; Romans 12:17, 19; I Peter 3:9; Matthew 7:12 Revenge belongs to God.  Genesis 50:19; Psalms 94:1; Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30 Resisting Personal Vengeance

“In The Beginning…” Additional points to remember.  Not seeking revenge against another doesn’t absolve our responsibility to correct error. Matt. 18: I Thess. 3: Resisting Personal Vengeance

“In The Beginning…” Additional points to remember.  Revenge may appear in different forms.  Physical Force.  Hurtful Pranks.  Use of the Tongue. Spreading gossip, lies.  After being offended/wronged, duplicating the action in return. i.e. “doing to them what was done to you”. Resisting Personal Vengeance

“In The Beginning…” Examples of those who refused to take revenge:  David  Saul had mistreated and attempted to kill David on several occasions.  But David refused to kill Saul despite several opportunities.  Upon learning of Saul’s death, mourned instead of celebrating. Resisting Personal Vengeance

“In The Beginning…” Examples of those who refused to take revenge.  Christ  Was rejected by Jewish leaders.  Death arranged by Jewish leaders, carried out by Roman officials.  As God, He had the Power of Diety. Could have called twelve legions of angels to rescue him, but refused. Matt. 26:53. Resisting Personal Vengeance

“In The Beginning…” …