Genesis 50:15-21
Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, ‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.
Joseph could have tried to get even
with his brothers who did him wrong
because they who were once strong were weak
and he who was once weak was now strong.
They quoted their dead father to him
as they tried to plead their weak case
while he wept with every one of them
and extended God’s undeserved grace.
Joseph acted as he thought God wished
as he pictured God’s greater vision
to bring about great unity
when he could have increased division.
God takes those acts intended for harm
and turns them into action for good.
That lesson is present for us today
and we hope it gets understood.
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