Do you let your light shine before men? Genesis 40-43

Genesis 43:19-23 (NASBStr)

So they came near to Joseph’s house steward, and spoke to him at the entrance of the house, and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food, and it came about when we came to the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full. So we have brought it back in our hand. We have also brought down other money in our hand to buy food; we do not know who put our money in our sacks.” He said, “ Be at ease, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.

The story of Joseph and the reuniting with his brothers has been told countless times in churches and homes for centuries.   It is a feel good story of forgiveness and restitution.  It should be told time and time again to remind us all about what can happen when we allow God to work in our lives and we forgive through the Spirit on the basis of the Son's finished work on the cross.  He forgave us and we ought, also, to forgive others.  There is another aspect of this story, however, that we ought not miss.   In the above portion of the overall story we have a recorded conversation between the evil brothers and Joseph's Egyptian (we assume he was Egyptian) steward.   Although the picture of forgiveness in the family is the center piece of the story, we ought not forget that this entire scene was being played out in front of the unbelieving Egyptians.  Later in this chapter we are told that during the "reuniting" meal, the Egyptians would not even sit at the same table as the Hebrews.   It is stated that they Hebrews were "loathsome" to the Egyptians.   Sound familiar?  Today, Christians are often, loathsome to the unbelieving world.   Yet, right in front of them, Joseph practices God-like compassion and forgiveness.   The unbelieving world would have recommended that Joseph use his power to get even and to seek vengeance.   Yet, in front of them, Joseph practices forgiveness.   At that point in time the Egyptians had the gospel preached to them.   Joseph could have sought revenge and no one in the Egyptian world would have objected.  In fact, it probably would have excelled him in their eyes.   Yet, instead Joseph practices God-like compassion.    Jesus tells us to do our good works before men so that He will be glorified:

Matthew 5:16

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Joseph's very time in a pit, in a prison, and in a great position was for one purpose and one purpose only, to demonstrate God's character in front of an unbelieving world.  Joseph preached the gospel through his forgiveness and forgetfulness (note the names of his sons and the meaning of the names).   He could have sought vindication and revenge.  Instead he let God worry about that and he simply practiced God's character in front of the unbelieving world.