Genesis 50:17
So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.
When the brothers learned that Joseph was alive, their fear and distress eased because they knew they had not caused his death. After Jacob died they fell into gloom and distress, for guilt made them fear that Joseph had concealed resentment out of respect for their father and had only postponed revenge until after Jacob's death. They feared he would now hate them and would certainly repay all the evil they had done to him.
They sent a messenger to Joseph claiming that Jacob had commanded before he died that Joseph should now forgive the trespass of his brethren and their sin for the evil done to him. In the message they humbly admitted their wrong and pleaded for forgiveness as servants of the God of Joseph's father. Joseph wept when they spoke to him because he cordially loved them and could not bear that they thought he still harbored a spirit of revenge toward them.
When they acknowledged their sin before him, Joseph freely forgave them and showed he held no resentful or revengeful feelings and was ready to forgive. He comforted them and spoke kindly to them and showed benevolence and love by nourishing them and their little ones, proving by acts of love that he harbored no resentment for their former cruel conduct. His walk with God enabled him to bear imprisonment and suffering for his innocence meekly without murmuring. His self-control, patience in adversity, and unwavering fidelity stand on record for the benefit of all who live afterward.
Joseph illustrates Christ, whose life of benevolence, goodness, and holiness was rejected and despised by his own for his righteousness. He was sold by his own, falsely accused, stripped, and put to death, yet though guilty of no wrong he meekly forgave his murderers while suffering torture and dying in cruel torture for the guilty race. As Joseph received and pardoned his repentant brethren, Jesus receives into favor and freely pardons all who come to him repentant and confessing their sins. After rising and ascending to his Father, Jesus received all power and authority, and if those he pardons remain true he will exalt them to his throne and make them his heirs of the inheritance purchased with his own blood.