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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 365

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Text: Genesis 50:1-26

THE RETURN OF OLD FEARS

As the brothers returned to Egypt, and they had lived there for some seventeen years, the old fears returned to haunt them.

“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said,
‘Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us
for all the evil which we did to him.”
GENESIS 50:15


A PLEA FOR FORGIVENESS

There was only one sane thing to do. Quickly they sent word to Joseph.

“Before your father died he commanded, saying,
‘Thus you shall say to Joseph:
‘I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers
and their sin; for they did evil to you.’
Now please forgive the trespass of your servants
of the God of your father.'”
GENESIS 50:16-17

The sons of Jacob made an impassioned plea for forgiveness on two grounds.

1. In the name of Jacob

The brothers figured that there was no reason why Joseph would actually have anything to do with them. They still feared him because of the powerful position he held in Egypt and because they realized just how wicked they had been in the past! But Joseph loved their father, surely he would forgive them for the sake of their father, especially when they mentioned this special word from Jacob!

2. In the name of God

The other name that the brothers invoked was the holy name of God. Would Joseph forgive their trespass against him for the sake of the God of their father?


A GENTLE WORD OF ASSURANCE

Joseph wept as he listened to the petition of his brothers. For seventeen years, he had taken care of them, and still they feared that he would take revenge. How little they knew him. How little they knew the God of their fathers. Gently he replied,

“Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?
But as for you, you meant evil against me;
but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about
as it is this day, to save many people alive.
Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you
and your little ones.’
And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”
GENESIS 50:19-21