Genesis 41: 51 Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” 52 The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”

Names used to mean something. People would give their children names that embodied their parents’ hopes and wishes for them. Some names memorialized great people or great events. Names were given to honor someone or something. Joseph had two sons and he gave them both meaningful names. Manasseh sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for forget. Ephraim sounds like the Hebrew for twice fruitful.

Joseph gave God the credit for his ability to forget. What does it mean that he has forgotten his father’s household? Obviously he has not forgotten them as if he never had a father and brothers. It means he no longer actively remembers to keep score against his brothers. To forgive does not require wiping the memory. Forgiving requires us to wipe the balance due. When God forgives us it does not mean he no longer remembers our sin. It means there is longer a balance due. The balance is paid in full. Why did Joseph gave his son a name that reminds him of what he has forgotten? It is because Joseph is human. Humans are imperfect. We forgive someone, then something happens and we find ourselves thinking of them as if they’re still in our debt. We have to forgive them all over again. It is not enough to forgive another’s debt, but we have to leave the debt forgiven. Joseph named his son forget to remind himself to leave that which is forgiven continually forgiven.

Forgiveness is a wonderful thing. It is an act that always has the chance to be twice fruitful. It blesses the forgiver, and has the chance to bless the forgiven. Forgiveness is a double portion blessing.