‘Thus you shall say to Joseph, ‘Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.’” And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. (Genesis 50:17)

On many levels this passage is startlingly pathetic. Joseph’s brothers’ character had not changed, and their attempts to deal with their insecurity were dysfunctional and misguided. Years earlier, they had sold Joseph into Egyptian slavery. They had been jealous over their father Jacob’s favoritism for their kid brother and had perceived Joseph as pompous when he told them of a dream about his eventual prominence in the family. In time, a famine struck, and the brothers sought relief in the abundant Egyptian grain store. Unbeknownst to them, Joseph had risen from slavery to political power, becoming the second most powerful man in Egypt. In time, he graciously revealed himself to the brothers, and they, along with their father Jacob and families, moved to Egypt, where Joseph made sure they were well taken care of.

In time, Jacob died. He was the patriarch of the family—in the minds of the 10 brothers, the glue that held them all together. They feared that with father now dead, brother Joseph, with whom they had earlier dealt treacherously, might take revenge on them. Little did they know Joseph’s heart and character! They plotted to give a message to Joseph, ostensibly from father, with a request to forgive the brothers. There is no evidence in the text that the message originated with Jacob, yet it was the best plan the brothers had to allay their personal fears. Their fear was understandable, but not because of any indication from Joseph that they should fear him. On the contrary, the fear arose from within themselves, which becomes clear as we examine this passage more deeply.

Notice the brothers could not bring themselves to ask for forgiveness themselves. What is essentially important here, and what I believe made Joseph weep, was this: they identified the God of Jacob (“God of your father”) with Joseph, but not themselves! Had they known God like Jacob and Joseph did, they would have understood forgiveness and compassion. Jacob’s life had been filled with deceit. But God’s restoration and blessing, and finally the reconnection with Joseph, speak of a God whose blessings far outweigh any merit (or demerit) of ours. God continually raised up Joseph after deep-pit experiences, showing that He rescues those who are faithful to Him. If the God of Jacob and Joseph were their God, then they would have understood this and not feared.

Lord, because I have been forgiven, I have no fear—Your love eclipsed it.