Genesis 50:15-21 (NRSV)
Read Genesis 50:15-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 15Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph's brothers said, "What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?" Verse 16So they approached Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this instruction before he died, Verse 17'Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.' Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Verse 18Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, "We are here as your slaves." Verse 19But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Verse 20Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. Verse 21So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones." In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.
Devotion
There was no excuse for their awful behavior. Joseph’s brothers had intended to harm him, and now they were exposed. All they could do was plead for mercy: “Please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father,” they cried.
It is still so today. Though we may deny it or try to weasel out of it, the servants of God continue to commit sins (crimes!) against God and one another. All we can do is ‘fess up and plead for mercy.
The Good News is not simply that God loves us, but that God knows the whole truth about us and still loves us. Indeed, God not only forgives our sins. God also transforms our crimes (intentional or not) and often uses them for good. To be sure, the greatest of human crimes (the murder of God’s beloved Son) was transformed by God into the greatest of goods - the salvation of the world.
Prayer
Merciful God, please forgive the crimes of your servants, both those known to us and those we are not aware of. Overcome our evil intentions with your perfect love and grace. Amen.