Genesis 50:15-26

Joseph Forgives Brothers (Death of Jacob)

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.

18 Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants."

19 But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place?

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.

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.

Death of Joseph

22 Now Joseph stayed in Egypt, he and his father's household, and Joseph lived one hundred and ten years.

23 Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim's sons; also the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph's knees.

24 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob."

25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, "God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones up from here."

26 So Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten years; and he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt.

Forgiveness for the Brothers (Sinners)

The brothers of Joseph have live with what they did to him for many years. To refresh, they sold him into slavery at a young age which brought Joseph to Egypt where he now reigned with Pharaoh. Joseph seemed to have forgotten and forgiven them - but they didn't understand his attitude.

Making Lemonade

You see - Joseph had taken the lemon life had given him and made lemonade, that is mad the best of every situation from being a slave, serving in prison, and everything else "bad" that happened to him.

Why?

Joseph understood that God led him on this path. The brothers couldn't link the pieces together but Joseph did. Their planning to kill him and then later deciding to sell him into slavery was a sin. But, this action resulted in many lives being saved in Egypt and also brought about salvation for his own family during the famine - including his brothers.

Where God Puts Us

Many times I have found myself in awkward or unpleasant situations and, like most humans, I did not see God's work in progress. I've looked back sometimes and realized that the circumstance I found myself in was exactly where I needed to be at that time in my life. God uses these things to educate, humble and strengthen us. We all need "bumps in the road" from time to time to bring us closer to God.

Forgiveness

Lastly, Joseph's brothers could not believe that he could actually forgive them for this horrendous act - but he did. Their transgressions were forgiven and forgotten and these unworthy people were taken care of.

God does the same for us. Through Jesus Christ, He forgives us of our past and "forgets" our failings as if they never existed - if we only believe and ask. I thank God for being merciful to an undeserving person like me.

Love in Christ

- Bob

Genesis 45:1-28 - Joseph Reveals Himself to His Family