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Intention

To release unforgiveness so that we may be fruitful in service to God.

Scripture

“Two sons were born to Joseph before the famine came. Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, was their mother.

“Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, ‘Certainly God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s house.’ He named the second child Ephraim, saying, ‘Certainly God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.’”

– Genesis 41:50–52 (NET)

Reflection

There has been a lot said about forgiveness in public discourse in the last few days. Anyone would think God was bringing it to our attention! Here are just four occasions where Christians chose to forgive – as the world watched with astonishment.

Recently, Danny and Leila Abdallah spoke about the drunk driver who tragically killed several of their children. Displaying remarkable Christian grace, they forgave him. Leila shared in a TV documentary, “I don’t hate the driver, in my heart. I think I forgive him, but I want the courts to be fair.”

Then there’s Baptist pastor Ian Wilkinson. After “mushroom killer” Erin Patterson poisoned his wife, Heather, and nearly killed him, Ian declared in court, “I make an offer of forgiveness to Erin… Now I am no longer Erin Patterson’s victim, and she has become the victim of my kindness.”

At Charlie Kirk’s televised funeral, watched by countless millions, his wife Erika held back tears as she said, “That young man… I forgive him, I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and it’s what Charlie would do.”

Afterwards, moved by Erika’s example, comedian Tim Allen shared on X: “I have struggled for over 60 years to forgive the man who killed my Dad. I will say those words now as I type: ‘I forgive the man who killed my father.’”

Forgiveness is powerful. It frees us from burdens too heavy to bear, entrusting justice to God.

The story of Joseph illustrates this beautifully. God transforms a dysfunctional family – Jacob, his twelve sons, their wives, and children – into the nation of Israel. Joseph’s journey is remarkable: from a precocious, big-mouthed, spoiled brat to a humble, exalted leader in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. His path winds through betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment, yet ends in forgiveness, family reconciliation, and the promises of God fulfilled.

Joseph’s healing shines through in the naming of his sons (in Genesis 41:50–52). His firstborn, Manasseh, means “Certainly God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s house.” This forgetting is not just about memory but about forgiveness – a heart release. Despite his brothers’ betrayal, Potiphar’s wife’s lies, and the cupbearer’s abandonment, Joseph chose to forgive, placing justice in God’s hands.

His second son, Ephraim, means “Certainly God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” By the time of Ephraim’s birth, Joseph had overseen seven years of abundant harvests, wisely storing surplus for the coming famine. He attributed this fruitfulness to God’s provision.

What do we learn from this? Briefly, that God is in control, that he often takes his time, that he can use evil people, times and purposes to still achieve his ends spectacularly, and that our fruitfulness is dependent on our forgiveness. Manasseh was born before Ephraim. Forgiveness precedes fruitfulness.

Want to be more fruitful for God in your life? Search your heart. Allow the ‘x-ray scanner’ of God’s gentle Holy Spirit to point the finger at areas where forgiveness can naturally lead to forgetfulness, then new fruitfulness in your life. And just maybe, the person you need to forgive the most is… yourself.

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Prayer

Beautiful Lord, thank you that you do not ask us to do anything you have not demonstrated in your own life. While we were still sinners, you died for us and asked the Father to forgive us.

And so, we ask for strength from your Holy Spirit to look at our hearts honestly, humbly and courageously, and to release anyone from a debt we feel owed. Lord, we forgive them.

Help us also to look honestly at ourselves and release ourselves from regrets and past sins. We want to know the joy and release of forgiving and even forgetting, that you may receive the reward of your suffering: our fruitfulness in serving you.

Thank you for the freedom and fruitfulness that come with forgiveness in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Author Bio

Alister Cameron serves with Power to Change, part of Campus Crusade for Christ Intl. Along with his wife Gail, he leads a project called Groundswell, developing innovative strategies to empower the Aussie church to reach more people with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Their vision is to see every Australian Christian making disciples.

Prayer Points for October 2025

1. God to pour out his blessing and Spirit on every church in Australia and its leaders. Hebrews 13:7
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3. Widespread adoption of Reaching Australia 2033 and its plan to activate every believer in personal evangelism. Acts 1:8
4. Revival for Australia and for millions to come to Christ. Isaiah 64:1–2

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