Read GENESIS 49:29–50:26

“Revenge is a dish best served cold!” Historians debate the origins of this quote, but the sentiment is unmistakable: rather than take vengeance while an insult is still fresh, better to wait so that the offending party does not see your revenge coming.

Jacob had died. Per his father’s last request, Joseph and his brothers returned to Canaan with “a very large company” (50:9) to bury him in the cave of his forefathers. Once they all returned to Egypt, however, the brothers’ fears about Joseph’s true intentions emerged. Perhaps Joseph had delayed vengeance only to serve it up now.

They concocted a story about Jacob’s dying wish was to have Joseph forgive his brothers. They threw themselves before Joseph, confessing their crime against him, and pledging themselves to Joseph as his slaves. Four times they mentioned their “sins” and “wrongs” committed against Joseph (vv. 15–17). They were repentant, but also worried about revenge.

But Joseph displayed no grudge at all. Upon hearing their plea, he wept and then spoke words of kindness and wisdom: “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (50:19–20). Following those words, Joseph pledged to provide for his brothers and their families. His deep sense of God’s providential goodness (even in harmful circumstances) led Joseph to exercise similar goodness and reconciliation with his brothers.

This was Joseph’s calling—to turn evil into a blessing for others. His only request in these last verses of Genesis is to have his bones returned to Canaan, knowing that God would one day return His people to the land of promise.

APPLY THE WORD

As we close our study of Genesis, we see how understanding God’s providence can lead to proper reconciliation. Where is God calling you to forgive and reconcile with someone who has harmed you? Ask God for the wisdom to see His hand in all things, and the grace to grant true forgiveness to that person in your life.

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