15 “And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they 16 sent a message unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command 17 before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the transgression of thy brethren, and their sin, for that they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. And 18 his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they 19 said, Behold, we be thy servants. And Joseph said unto them, 20 Fear not: for am I in the place of God? And as for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to 21 pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them. 22 “And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father’s house: and 23 Joseph lived an hundred and ten years. And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were born upon Joseph’s knees. 24 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die; but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land unto the land 25 which He sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence. 26 So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.”
Golden Text.—“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Ps. 90:12.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) When Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, what came forcibly to their minds? Verse 15. Note 1. (2) What message did they send to Joseph? How was Joseph affected by this message? Verses 16, 17. Note 2. (3) After sending the message, what did they do? Verse 18. Note 3. (4) What reassuring reply did Joseph make? Verse 19. Note 4. (5) How did he explain the providence of God in the matter? Verse 20. (6) What further comforting words did he speak to them? Verse 21. (7) How long did Joseph live? How much of this time did he reside in Egypt? Verse 22. Note 5. (8) How many generations of his posterity did Joseph see? Verse 23. (9) As Joseph was about to die, what former promise was repeated to his brethren? Verse 24. Ch. 15:13–16. (10) What oath did Joseph exact of his people? Verse 25. Note 6. (11) When Joseph died, what was done with his body? Verse 26.
NOTES.
1. Joseph’s brethren had no reason to fear his revenge for their cruel treatment of him in his youth; for they had experienced ample evidence of his free and full pardon. But their fear has many counterparts among Christians of to-day, who are daily asking the forgiveness of their sins, but are always fearful lest some offense committed in the long past is still held against them. They can not see how it could be forgiven. Such doubt discredits the Lord’s love and mercy. “Mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”
2. Jacob evidently knew of the fear of his sons lest Joseph would retaliate after his father’s death. He may or may not have shared their fear; in either case, his “command,” or advice, indicated the best course for them to pursue, under the circumstances. “Joseph wept” to see how they yet distrusted him. So did Jesus when His brethren, the Jews, did not accept His offers of mercy in good faith. See Matt. 23:37; Luke 19:41, 42.
3. In the act of falling down before Joseph, and in acknowledging themselves his servants, Joseph’s brethren once more fulfilled his dream of the sheaves of grain.
4. “Am I in the Place of God?”—Joseph had forgiven the offense of his brethren against him. He had nothing to do with the offense against God. He recognized the principle that the civil ruler has nothing to do in that sphere. Jesus enunciated this principle in the saying, “If any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him not; for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” John 12:47. “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Rom. 14:12.
5. Of Joseph’s 110 years, about 93 had been spent in Egypt, and 80 years of that time, in prominent position in the government. Even after his death his name was honored, and his people respected, until a foreign king came to the throne who “knew not Joseph.”
6. On his death-bed Joseph manifested his faith in the promise of God to deliver His people. This was shown by his commandment that they should carry up his bones with them. “By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.” Heb. 11:22.
