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 posits that the “instructions” the brothers claim their father left was probably a fabrication because “They didn’t feel they had the moral right to ask Joseph for mercy, since they sinned against him so greatly.” Sit with that one for a moment.
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?”
The Joseph of Genesis is often in scripture alluded to as a precursor to Jesus. But, to me, the thought that I can’t ask Jesus for forgiveness because I have sinned too greatly just doesn’t register, and it’s not because I’m not capable of great sin. It is because I know that my Savior loves me deeply, fiercely, completely. He wants a relationship with me, but He will not force it.
Genesis 50:16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died:
Mighty Savior, Thank You for Your fierce love, a love which leaves a door open for me to return to You ALWAYS, no matter what. Thank You that You don’t force me into relationship with You. You allow me to choose You. Even when I have made really bad choices, if I will humble myself and return to You, You are always there. Help me to never take Your love and grace for granted. Amen.
Genesis 50:17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
Have a blessed day.