EXPLORE IT - Genesis 47:29-31; 50:15-21

In concluding our series on Joseph, this week we reach the climax of the story (Genesis 47:29-31; 50:15-21).  We see the death of Jacob, but that is not the highpoint of our journey.  At Jacob’s death, Joseph’s brothers begin to worry that Joseph will now seek retribution for their wrongdoing when Joseph was young.  We see the brothers sending word to Joseph, pretending the message is from Jacob.  After Joseph receives the message, he weeps.  He is weeping because of the message, but also because his brothers “sent word” due to their fear, instead of coming and speaking to him face-to-face.

We again see the brothers throwing themselves as Joseph’s feet, offering themselves as slaves, but this is the first time they seek forgiveness.  Asking Joseph to forgive their sins (Hebrew translation could also be “transgressions”) twice and forgive their wrongs (Hebrew translation could also be “evil sins”) once.  We finally see remorse.  We finally see repentance.

Joseph has not been holding a grudge all these years, he has forgiven and moved on.  Sometimes when we wrong someone, we hold on to the guilt of our sins.  Sometimes we must seek out the person we have wronged and seek their forgiveness.  Other times, we need to seek God for His forgiveness and then forgive ourselves.  If this pertains to you, I encourage you not to wait another day (and definitely not wait 17 years as Joseph’s brothers did).  Seek forgiveness immediately and allow God’s healing to begin.

Blessings,
Pastor Amy