Genesis 50:15-21
True forgiveness rests in God’s sovereignty and refuses to repay evil with evil.
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully pay us back for all the evil which we did to him.”
16 They sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father commanded before he died, saying,
17 ‘You shall tell Joseph, “Now please forgive the disobedience of your brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to you.” ’ Now, please forgive the disobedience of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
18 His brothers also went and fell down before his face; and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.”
19 Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for am I in the place of God?
20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to save many people alive, as is happening today.
21 Now therefore don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” He comforted them, and spoke kindly to them.
True forgiveness rests in God’s sovereignty and refuses to repay evil with evil.
To show the brothers’ renewed fear after Jacob’s death, Joseph’s refusal of revenge, and his clear declaration of God’s sovereign purpose through their evil actions.
Jacob Is Buried in the Land of Promise, Joseph Reassures His Brothers, and God’s Sovereign Good Stands over Human Evil
At the close of Genesis, Jacob is buried in the land of promise, Joseph interprets his brothers’ evil under God’s sovereign purpose for good, and the covenant family is left waiting in faith for God to visit and bring them up from Egypt.