Well, folks, this is it. We have reached the end of the Genesis study. This is the last chapter, Genesis 50. Genesis is the book of beginnings. And while this is the end of Genesis, we are just starting what Paul Harvey would call "the rest of the story." This is the end of Joseph's story. However, it lays the foundation for the history of Israel, a story still being written to this very day, a nation that will never end.
There are three primary events covered in Genesis 50:
- The burial of Jacob
- Joseph's reassurance of his brothers
- The death of Joseph
So the theme of the chapter is the end of the earthly lives of Israel's first patriarchs and the beginning of the rest of Israel's history. One of the reasons it is so important to learn history is its tendency to repeat itself. It does that in this very chapter. You will remember earlier when Joseph's brothers bowed down to him, not recognizing who he was at the time but still fulfilling Joseph's prophetic dream (Genesis 37:5-11; 42:6). Upon the death of their father, the fear of Joseph's brothers gripped them again. They were concerned that he would repay them for the evil they had done to him by selling him into slavery (Genesis 37:26-28). Notice how they even refer to Jacob as "your father" even though he was their father too. They acknowledged Joseph's status as the favorite son. Still, I think they were also laying it on real thick because they sought mercy from their brother (Genesis 50:15-16). They even call themselves "the servants of the God of your father" (Genesis 50:17). Joseph reassured them that he meant what he said before, and all was forgiven. He makes that very clear by asking, "Am I in place of God" (Genesis 50:19)? The LORD is clear that vengeance belongs to Him (Deuteronomy 32:35; Psalm 94:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:6; Hebrews 10:30). Joseph shows his eternal perspective and trust in God's plan. He reassured his brothers, telling them that even though they meant to do evil, God used it for good (Genesis 50:19-21; Romans 8:28). Joseph didn't let his justifiable anger get in the way of the relationship Joseph had always wanted with his whole family, not just his father. And he trusted God enough to be just, fair, and merciful in His own time.
The word in Genesis 50:17 for what his brothers did has been translated as "offense," "trespass," "transgression," among other terms. The Hebrew word sounds like "peh'-shah" has different phases of meaning depending on the context in which it is used. Still, it basically refers to the same type of offense. It can refer to transgression against individuals, of one nation against another, against God, and the guilt, punishment, or offerings associated with such violations (Larry Pierce's Outline of Biblical Usage).
But what would have been gained if Joseph had taken vengeance on his brothers? Nothing except maybe the short-lived satisfaction. A lot more could have been lost forever were it not for Joseph's heart for the LORD and his family. Joseph's forgiveness helped them all move on as he released his brothers from the focus of their fear. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18). It is this kind of love Joseph showed toward his brothers, and it is the example his legacy has left us all.
I mentioned that death is a big theme in this chapter, which means references to burying necessarily are as well. Some variation of the word "bury" is mentioned eight times in the chapter (Genesis 50:5-7, 12-14). Joseph got permission from Pharaoh to go back to Canaan to bury Jacob. I doubt he had any trouble with this request, given the respect that Jacob showed Pharaoh and vice-versa. He was buried in the same cave of the field of Machpelah that Abraham had purchased. All the brothers accompanied him on the journey, which is also notable because of the fear they previously showed toward Joseph. They had finally put all that behind them and unified around each other after their father's death.
A lack of forgiveness can cripple one's life, bringing bitterness that will trouble the person holding on to unforgiveness and defile others until it is uprooted. The one who refuses to forgive becomes the captive of the transgressor. Ephesians 4:32 encourages us to be kind and compassionate, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave us. Since God has chosen the church to be holy and because He dearly loves us, we are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. We must bear with each other and forgive one another if we have a grievance against someone, just as the Lord forgave us (Colossians 3:12-13). The Lord's Prayer includes the words "forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). Then Jesus said if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others for their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:14-15). Peter once asked Jesus how many times he should forgive someone. Jesus responded 70 times 7 (Matthew 18:21-22). As I pointed out a couple of blog posts ago, this doesn't mean you should walk around with a clipboard counting sins hoping to get to 490 so you can stop forgiving someone. The point was to put the number so high that you couldn't count and maintain a continuing attitude of forgiveness.
Is there anyone you need to forgive? How can God use evil done in your life for your good (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28)? Forgiveness doesn't mean you forget what the person did. It doesn't mean the relationship will be restored. Both may require the offender to acknowledge their sin before God, repent, and seek forgiveness. When a person really receives Christ, that person is a new creation. Old things have passed away, and all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Forgiveness requires letting go of the offense, sending it away, and trusting God to handle it His way in His time.
The last thing we see in the book of Genesis is the death of Joseph. When he was about to die, Joseph reminded his brothers of the promise that God would come to their aid, take them up out of the land of Egypt, and bring them to the Promised Land. Then Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath to carry his bones away from Egypt and back to the Promised Land when God came to their aid (Genesis 50:24-25). He did this because he had faith in God's promise to bring them back to the land He gave the Jewish people forever (Hebrews 11:22). Remember that God told Abraham the Jewish people would be strangers in a country not their own. They would be enslaved and mistreated there. But God would punish the nation they served as slaves, and afterward, they would come out with great possessions. But first, the sin of the Amorites had to reach its full measure so God could use the Israelites to punish them as well (Genesis 15:13-14, 16). Have you ever been tempted to wonder, "Where is God in all of this?" Remember the exactness of God's Word here. There is a purpose for everything, even the worst evil that people may do.
Joseph left the Jewish people a hopeful promise from God. In the same way, Jesus Christ has left us with the hopeful promise of His return. The Bible promises the return of Jesus 318 times. Until Jesus comes again, His followers are to be about His business. We are to labor diligently to fulfill His commands and bring as many people to faith in Him as we can through the preaching of the Gospel (Romans 10:14). Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and correctly handles the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). The Crown of Rejoicing is promised to all who love eschatology, studying the Second Coming of Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:19). So, come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20)!
Thank you to everyone who has been with me on this LONG journey through the book of Genesis. Thank you to Precept for this wonderful Bible study that offered some great information that aided me as I put together these podcasts and blog posts. And thank you to the person who was responsible for purchasing these study guides for me. Your kindness is forever appreciated. I look forward to being back with you all again soon as we begin a new journey through the book of Exodus. Until then, God bless you all!
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