Genesis 50:13 They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, which Abraham had bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite.
To say that Joseph’s brothers had been less than kind to him would be an understatement. Now that their father is gone, the brothers are worried that Joseph will hold a grudge and seek retribution for the wrongs they have done to him.
Genesis 50:14 After burying his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all the others who had gone with him to bury his father.
Commentary says what they are really worried about is judgment. They did wrong. That is not in question. What they are hoping is to escape the judgment for that wrong. They want to skip the consequences of their actions.
Genesis 50:15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”
Precious Savior, Like Joseph’s brothers, I know I have done wrong in my life. Forgive me. Replace my heart of stone with a pure heart, steeped in Your Spirit. Thank You for washing me clean. Help me to live a life worthy of Your sacrifice. Help me to show others the grace that You so freely lavish on me. Amen.
Genesis 50:16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died:
Have a blessed day.