And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.
After Jacob's death and burial the brothers came to Joseph on their own. They fell down and bowed before his face, humbling themselves and offering themselves to him as servants as an expression of guilt and submission. In doing so they acknowledged and confessed the wrong and sin they had done against him and asked his forgiveness.
They acted from gloom, distress, and fear that Joseph would now punish them and repay all the evil and cruelty they had done. They believed he had hidden any resentment only out of respect for their father, and that they did not know his heart. Their submission before him echoed their earlier acts of obeisance to him in Egypt, which brought his dreams to mind.
Joseph was deeply moved by their words, weeping over them, loving them cordially, and comforting them. He could not bear that they thought he harbored a spirit of revenge toward them. He freely forgave them and proved by benevolent and loving acts that he held no resentment for their former cruel conduct. He made clear he did not seek revenge because judgment belongs to God.
He declared that God had turned their evil intent toward good for the saving of many lives, and he promised to provide for and care for them and their children. The brothers were relieved to learn that they had not caused his death. Joseph in pardoning his repentant brothers illustrates Christ, who while suffering cruel torture meekly forgave his murderers and who receives into favor and freely pardons all who come to him repentant and confessing their sins. As Joseph nourished and cared for his brothers, Christ will, if the repentant remain true to him, nourish and care for them, exalt them to his throne, and make them his heirs to the inheritance purchased with his own blood.
After Jacob's death and burial the brothers came to Joseph on their own. They fell down and bowed before his face, humbling themselves and offering themselves to him as servants as an expression of guilt and submission. In doing so they acknowledged and confessed the wrong and sin they had done against him and asked his forgiveness.
They acted from gloom, distress, and fear that Joseph would now punish them and repay all the evil and cruelty they had done. They believed he had hidden any resentment only out of respect for their father, and that they did not know his heart. Their submission before him echoed their earlier acts of obeisance to him in Egypt, which brought his dreams to mind.
Joseph was deeply moved by their words, weeping over them, loving them cordially, and comforting them. He could not bear that they thought he harbored a spirit of revenge toward them. He freely forgave them and proved by benevolent and loving acts that he held no resentment for their former cruel conduct. He made clear he did not seek revenge because judgment belongs to God.
He declared that God had turned their evil intent toward good for the saving of many lives, and he promised to provide for and care for them and their children. The brothers were relieved to learn that they had not caused his death. Joseph in pardoning his repentant brothers illustrates Christ, who while suffering cruel torture meekly forgave his murderers and who receives into favor and freely pardons all who come to him repentant and confessing their sins. As Joseph nourished and cared for his brothers, Christ will, if the repentant remain true to him, nourish and care for them, exalt them to his throne, and make them his heirs to the inheritance purchased with his own blood.