A Life in Exile

We have spent an entire year in Genesis, and now we are in the final chapter of this amazing book. We find Joseph crying over the death of his father, followed by the mourning of his brothers and the elders of Pharaoh’s household. They make a short return to the Land of Promise to bury the patriarch but do not stay, returning, instead to the land of Goshen.

As it’s the end of the book, I’m taking the liberty to choose two gems for us today. The first is found in a conversation between Joseph and his brothers, who feared he would take revenge out on them now that their father was dead. They didn’t do this face-to-face but through a message. I’m sure some of you can relate, as I can. Some people are afraid of confrontation, so send a text instead!

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.

Genesis 50:16-17 ESV

The Fear

Afraid of their powerful brother, Joseph’s brothers sent this message that could have hinged on a lie, but we are not sure. We’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and say Jacob did want Joseph to formally forgive them. Either way, the message moved Joseph to tears.

After all he’d done for his brothers, could they really still fear him? Was their sin still hanging over them after all this time? Apparently so, as they felt compelled to send such a message.

Thankfully, they took the risk of visiting Joseph in order to get his response.

God’s Sovereignty

His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Genesis 50:18-21

 This encounter between Joseph and his brothers is such a beautiful picture of Christ’s sacrifice. They fell before their brother, recognizing him as the one in control of their lives, but Joseph nipped that idea in the bud by saying, “Am I in the place of God?”

This wasn’t about Joseph or his power, it was about God’s sovereignty and plan. All that had happened to Joseph, all the pain he endured by his brothers and others, was for God’s good purpose—to save his people. God meant all that happened to be for good, “that many people should be kept alive.” Joseph recognized God’s lordship over his life, his sovereignty even over kings and nations. His power and purpose was overall, Joseph just obeyed the plan.

God’s Return

The second gem, comes years after his encounter with his brothers, as his own death nears. I’ve often wondered why the Hebrews did not return to the Land of Promise once the famine was over. I can give some reasons, but the ultimate one is that they were waiting on God to lead them back. Joseph gives a hint of this when speaking to his sons and brothers upon his death.

And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

Genesis 50:24-26

To show how important this was, Joseph mentions it twice: God will visit you. God will surely visit you. The God who led the way for their salvation from famine would return them to the land at the time he’d prepared in advance. Remember he’d already told Abraham that his descendants would be in a land of affliction for four hundred years (Genesis 15:13).

Nothing is outside of God’s sovereignty. Joseph learned this and told his brothers. Now it was time for them to trust that God would visit them again and remain faithful.

Jesus promises the same to us today. “Behold, I am coming soon!” (Revelation 22:7).

Come, Lord Jesus.

Grace and Peace

Missed Chapter 49? Read it HERE or Start from the Beginning of the Gems from Genesis SERIES