Joseph's brothers think that now that their father is dead, Joseph is going to take his revenge out on them for the way that they dealt with him years earlier. Joseph's response is one of the most amazing answers in all of Scripture.
But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?
As for you, you meant evil against me,
but God meant it for good,
to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.”
Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
Genesis 50:19-21
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Joseph gets it, and God is setting his whole family up for something amazing. God used the sinful actions of the sons of Israel to establish their presence in Egypt, saving them from death, but ultimately another key step in saving all mankind from sin.
So Genesis ends with a "..." really. Joseph dies, and he asks that his bones be taken out of Egypt one day. They will be, but many, many years later, and after God displays His power, might and glory in ways that establishes Israel as a nation and people of God Most High and the old covenant with them.
Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying,
“God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.”
So Joseph died, being 110 years old.
They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.
Yeah, I would say that God will surely visit His people!
Lord thank you so much for the mighty work that you have done to establish Your people Israel. Thank You that You are a covenant-keeping God and prove Yourself faithful through all generations.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
Psalm 111:6 & 9
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