We are coming to the end of the story. In fact w are coming to the end of several stories, the story of famine in Egypt, the story of Joseph and his brothers, the story of Jacob and the story of beginnings, the end of Genesis.
We should therefore treat the conclusion here as one, not only on the life of Genesis but on the whole book. The bigger picture is of God creating the world, making covenants, providing for people, showing justice. Alongside this we see people sinning, rebelling, exalting themselves, resisting God, cheating, lying, murdering being unfaithful etc. How should, we evaluate the story so far?
Read Genesis 50
Jacob’s time to die comes. In line with his wishes, Joseph arranges for his body to be returned to Canaan and buried in the family tomb. Joseph and his brothers go up, accompanied by the Pharoah’s household which causes quite the scene as the Canaanites see this grand, mournful procession (v1-14).
When the brothers return, they are concerned that Joseph will now get his vengeance on them. They go to see him and claim, whether true or not that Jacob has told them to come to him and plead for forgiveness. They ask for forgiveness because they are “servants of the God of your father.” I think it is noteworthy that when Jacob arrives in Egypt he is described as “offering sacrifices to the God of his Father.”[1] Whilst there is a right sense in which God is the God of their fathers, is there a need to think of him more as their God, the God of now too? This might explain why the brothers need reassurance of promises already given to them by Joseph (v15-17).
They throw themselves upon his mercy and now offer themselves as his slaves, echoing the Egytpians selling themselves into servitude (v18). Joseph reassures them. He does not stand in God’s shoes, he is not their judge (v19). Furthermore, whilst their intentions had been evil, seeking his harm, God had always planned and intended these events for good, to benefit his people, including Joseph and glorify himself (v20). Not only does he have no desire for revenge, he intends to continue to provide for them and their families. This is real forgiveness (v21).
Joseph continues to live in Egypt, to enjoy old age and to see grand children, great grandchildren and even the next generation (v22-23).
The time draws near for Joseph’s own death. It looks like his older brothers survive him. He gathers together the Israelites, notice that they are being defined as a group. He reminds them that God will bring them back home one day. There seems to be an expectation of imminence to this. Unlike Jacob, he does not expect to be immediately taken up to Canaan for burial. As mentioned previously, he has an attachment to Egypt now. However, he asks that when they do return to the land that they take his remains up for reburial (v24-25).
He dies, aged 110 and is embalmed and placed in a coffin (v26).
Digging a little deeper
If this is the conclusion, not only to the Joseph story but also to Genesis, then verse 20 is vital in helping us to understand the story thus far. The Genesis story is one of humanity in rebellion, seeking to resit and rival God. In the process, men turn against each other. Brothers kill, cheat and deceive. Yet, the author, Moses wants to insist that God intends, purposes these things for good.
This means, not merely that Gods turns things around and does what he can with the bad hand given him. Rather, we must see God purposing and planning these events. This takes us to the heart and the pastoral goodness of the doctrine of predestination. God is sovereign, he is great and he is good, he uses his sovereignty for good purposes.
A look at ourselves
Joseph is able to see God’s goodness at work. He recognises that it is God’s purpose to use his suffering to bring about the deliverance of his people. He also knows that this means they will ultimately return home. He has sure and certain hope.
It is this confident hope in God’s eternal plan that enables Joseph to forgive his brothers. It is our confidence in God’s purposes, through Jesus and our hope in the resurrection that helps us to forgive too. It is when we are captivated by the big drama of God’s redemption plan that we can let go of our own little soap operas.
[1] Genesi 46:1.
Faithroots 