June 26, 2024
Repaying Evil -- Part 3
Genesis 50:16-18
06/26/2024
16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, ``Your
father gave this command before he died,
17 ``Say to Joseph, `Please forgive the transgression
of your brothers and their sin, because they did
evil to you.' And now, please forgive the
transgression of the servants of the God of your
father.''' Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
18 His brothers also came and fell down before him
and said, ``Behold, we are your servants.'' (ESV)
Jacob, the father of Joseph and his brothers, was dead.
Because of the sin the brothers committed against Joseph, they
feared retribution, that Joseph would take revenge.
So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, ``Your father
gave this command before he died, ``Say to Joseph,
`Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and
their sin, because they did evil to you.' And now,
please forgive the transgression of the servants of the
God of your father.''' Joseph wept when they spoke to
him. His brothers also came and fell down before him
and said, ``Behold, we are your servants.''
Why did Joseph weep? Was it because of his disappointment
that his brothers did not trust him to act with forgiveness after
their father had died, that he was indeed capable of rendering
evil for evil? Was he disappointed that the love he had shown in
providing for his father and brothers during the famine was not
evidence of his concern? Or were these tears of joy, that in
confessing their sin against him, Joseph could fully declare the
forgiveness of their sin?
Joseph's brothers now offered to Joseph the respect that he
had foretold, the very thing that had originally caused his
brothers to betray him and sell him into slavery. The brothers
expected punishment, they hoped that it would not be severe.
What they received was mercy.
May our Lord grant us the trust to confess our sins, and the
certain hope that our sins are forgiven for the sake of Jesus
Christ. Amen.