But then, while all man, Jesus was also all God. Of course He could do the impossible and forgive what only God can forgive. What about human, totally human, examples? Well, probably the one pulled up the most often is that of Joseph. Sold into slavery by his brothers who had actually wanted to kill him at first, he rose from the pits of prison to second in command of all Egypt. When he found himself in a position of power over the brothers who hurt him, he chose to forgive. And yes, it is awesome and inspiring. But there is another example that perhaps is just as powerful, maybe more so.
Joseph had the visions God had given him to hold on to during those dark years. Yes, it would have been hard to hold on to them and not give them up, but he had them. Esau on the other hand isn't an example often mentioned, because he isn't one of the patriarchs. He wasn't the one chosen by God. His brother was. His father favored him, yet even his father was disappointed in him because of his marriage choices. How hard it must have been to be daddy's favorite and still not be able to live up to his little brother. His brother, Jacob, conned him out of his birthright. And then Jacob tricked Isaac and flat out stole Esau's blessing before running for the hills to escape Esau's wrath.
Years later, Jacob returns with his family and finds Esau has grown powerful. What is the use of power if you can't exact vengeance on those who've done you wrong, right? Jacob knew this. He fully expected Esau's retaliation. But Esau didn't attack. He forgave and welcomed the brother who'd done him so wrong. We usually speak of forgiveness being more for ourselves than for others. It frees us from the poison of resentment. And that is true. But we are not told when or how Esau forgave. We are not told how it freed him and made his life better. What we see instead is the ripple effect. Esau could have killed his brother and his brother's family and taken everything Jacob had acquired. That is pretty much what Jacob feared. If he had, God would have had to start over, because the chosen line of promise would have come to a premature end.
But Esau forgave, and Jacob, now called Israel, flourished and his twelve sons became a nation that would eventually deliver the Messiah to us all Yes, forgiveness of others helps us spiritually. Tremendously. It may even bless and help the person we forgive and be a seed that grows into their having a relationship with God. But we may never know the lives of others even further from the center that we may touch. God can use our willingness to forgive to bless others far beyond the original parties involved. Every act of obedience to God, even that of forgiveness, is something God can use to draw all people to Himself. Let us be quick to forgive, even when we may not see all the good it can do.
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