How do you deal with pit diggers?

Hurting people hurt people Neglected Verbally and physically abused Abandoned Betrayed

God not only wants our whole heart, He wants our heart whole.

And all the world Genesis 41:57 And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere. Genesis 41:57

Genesis 42:1-2 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” 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.” Genesis 42:1-2

he recognized them… Genesis 42:6-7a Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them… Genesis 42:6-7a

spoke harshly to them. Genesis 42:7b …but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked. Genesis 42:7b Genesis 42:9b “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.” Genesis 42:9b Genesis 42:17 And he put them all in custody for three days. Genesis 42:17

How to deal with pit diggers 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…”

How? Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter. Genesis 42:21-23

How? He (Joseph) turned away from them and began to weep… Genesis 42:24a Joseph pitied them

"Forgiveness is God's invention for coming to terms with a world in which, despite their best intentions, people are unfair to each other and hurt each other deeply. He began by forgiving us. And he invites us all to forgive each other." Lewis Smedes

How? Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” Genesis 45:1a

How? Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! Genesis 45:4 Joseph named the offense

call it what it is, When we forgive evil we do not excuse it, we do not tolerate it, we do not smother it. We look the evil full in the face, call it what it is, let its horror shock and stun and enrage us, and only then do we forgive it. Lewis Smedes

How? And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you…But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. Genesis 45:5, 7

How? Joseph blessed his pit diggers You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well.

How to deal with pit diggers Acknowledge their story of brokenness Don’t deny their offense but name it Be there for them in their time of need

forgive them Father, I know who they are, broken human beings. I know they have not believed in me, but forgive them. My translation He pitied – He pitied – He named our offense – He blessed How did Jesus deal with pit diggers?