Genesis 50: 15-21
We've just recounted the elaborate and detailed explanation of the funeral arrangements Joseph orchestrated for his father Jacob. Then when they all got back "home" in Egypt, Joseph returned to his house, and his brothers all went back to Goshen.
(15) When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!"
Then the brothers got to thinking negatively, and thought that Joseph was only nice to them because their father was still alive to see it. But now that he's gone, maybe Joseph, with all his power and authority, will go after them in revenge!
(16) So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father charged before he died, saying, (17) 'Thus you shall say to Joseph, "Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong."' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
The brothers are suffering from their own guilty consciences, knowing that they really do deserve to be punished for how they treated their little brother. But now they're making up a story to try to convince Joseph to not pay them back.
Did Jacob even know what they did? Did he ever question that they "found" his special robe, covered in blood? Did he ever doubt their story since back then?
And Joseph's heart breaks for his brothers, still suffering in their guilt!
(18) Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants."
After sending the message, they came and bowed down to him again, trying to convince him to not pay them back.
(19) But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place?
Joseph tells them that they don't need to be afraid of him, that he won't do anything to them, because their guilt is between them and God. Even though he does have the power as vizier under Pharaoh in Egypt to do what he wants with them, he won't take God's place in dealing with them.
(20) "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.
He gives them the bigger picture that they've missed so far: that even though they were looking at the short-term, to get rid of a pesky little brother, that God was using them to orchestrate His bigger plan; He knew that Joseph needed to be in Egypt, having everything happen that happened to him, to prepare him for this time and position, to be able to save many people alive, who otherwise would have starved to death during that severe 7-year famine back then.
And that he had realized this, and forgiven his brothers long ago, so they also needed to forgive themselves. He didn't even send them back to Canaan when the famine was over, but continued to take care of them.
(21) "So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
And their father's death will make no difference, he still accepts them and loves them as his brothers, and he will still take care of them the same as before. They don't ever have to be afraid of him because of his position.
Joseph and his family continued to live in Egypt. Joseph never saw Canaan again, he was comfortable living in his adopted country, and in his high governmental position he remained in Pharaoh's favor; and his people also remained under the king's protection and provision.
O my Father, You know that it is sometimes hard for us to forgive ourselves, even after we know You've forgiven us. Thank You for telling us how Joseph reassured his brothers of his forgiveness to them, as accepting that You had used them in Your plan for him and them.
My Father, as Joseph was able to maintain his trust in You through years of disappointing consequences, never faltering in his faith, so I know that no matter what happens in my life, even when I do what I know is right and it still turns out negatively, then I can still rely on Your faithfulness to me, to keep me and care for me as Your child.
O Father, use me, send out all of Your children, in all the ways each of us can go, to show Your love for us all, and tell them about how You have already taken care of everything we all need, right here in this Earth and with one another. Please help us to love one another as unconditionally as You have loved us. Then they will see how You have sent Your own Son to be our Redeemer, and repent and turn to You for Salvation; or turn away from You, fully aware of what they are refusing.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is our Lord God Almighty, our Savior, Redeemer and Messiah, the sovereign King of the World and the whole Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, forever and ever. Amen.
Even so, please come quickly, Lord Jesus!
