Genesis 50:1-26
50:1 Joseph weeps over his father and kisses him goodbye (for now). Undoubtedly grateful for this blessing of reuniting with his family; there was likely a long stretch of time in Joseph's life where he never believed it possible. Not only did he get to reunite with his family but he was able through God to do so on good terms. He was able to provide for them in their time of need. To get to know them and their families. To receive his father's blessing and spiritual inheritance.
50:2-3 Following custom, Joseph ensured that his father was prepared for burial: a forty day process. The Egyptians mourn Jacob for seventy days.
50:4-6 Jacob requests Pharaoh's permission to bury his father as Jacob wished and Pharaoh agrees. Joseph and his father are highly regarded by these people and their wishes are respected.
50:7-9 So Joseph arranges for his father to be brought to the burial place of his family. He is accompanied by Pharaoh's household, servants, his brothers and all in his father's house. Only the young and the animals did not participate int he journey.
50:10-11 Joseph continued to formally mourn his father. It was a deep and focused mourning and even the Egyptians participated. The place of mourning was named Abel Mizraim: meadow of Egypt.
50:12-13 Jacob's sons did as they promised him they would do. They carried him to Canaan and buried him with his forefathers.
50:14 Having fulfilled their promise, Jacob's sons and all of their company return to Egypt.
50:2-3 Following custom, Joseph ensured that his father was prepared for burial: a forty day process. The Egyptians mourn Jacob for seventy days.
50:4-6 Jacob requests Pharaoh's permission to bury his father as Jacob wished and Pharaoh agrees. Joseph and his father are highly regarded by these people and their wishes are respected.
50:7-9 So Joseph arranges for his father to be brought to the burial place of his family. He is accompanied by Pharaoh's household, servants, his brothers and all in his father's house. Only the young and the animals did not participate int he journey.
50:10-11 Joseph continued to formally mourn his father. It was a deep and focused mourning and even the Egyptians participated. The place of mourning was named Abel Mizraim: meadow of Egypt.
50:12-13 Jacob's sons did as they promised him they would do. They carried him to Canaan and buried him with his forefathers.
50:14 Having fulfilled their promise, Jacob's sons and all of their company return to Egypt.
50:15 Joseph's brother never truly understood his goodness; and when they got close to understanding it, they resented him. When their father's die, the brothers worry that Joseph was only kind to them for their father's sake. But children of God are inherently good and kind and they do not act on selfish or deceptive motive.
50:16-17 Joseph's brothers sent a messenger to him with this message: please have mercy on us and find forgiveness for our betrayal and sin. The message causes Joseph to weep. Their message reveals to Joseph that his brothers never really knew or understood him. He cries because he loves them and they do not feel it. He cries because they have his forgiveness but do not realize it.
50:18 Again reiterating Joseph's dream as a youth, his brothers bow down to him. The power of God in Joseph's life has convinced people that he is god-like. Yet Joseph knows and lives and breathes humility and love for God...
50:19... he is quick to remind his brothers that he is not God. If they are discontented with their actions, it is to God they must bring their burdens.
50:20 Joseph comforts his brothers explaining to them that even though they acted cruelly, God saved their brother whom they betrayed. God enabled Joseph to turn a traumatic experience into a blessed one: he became able to save his entire family and all who lived in Egypt. He married a woman and they had children.
50:21 Joseph assures his brothers that they have nothing to fear. Joseph will always provide for them. He comforts them, promising to take care of their entire families. As he always is, Joseph is kind with them. God's love and compassion filled and fueled Joseph: only love and compassion motivated him.
50:22 Joseph and his family remained in Egypt and he reached one hundred and ten years old.
50:23 Joseph was alive to see his grandchildren and their children.
50:24 As Joseph reaches the end of his life he promises his family that they will receive prophesy and guidance from God through another. God will continue the oath he made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.
50:25 God promises that God will visit them; he then requests that they bury him in Egypt.
50:16-17 Joseph's brothers sent a messenger to him with this message: please have mercy on us and find forgiveness for our betrayal and sin. The message causes Joseph to weep. Their message reveals to Joseph that his brothers never really knew or understood him. He cries because he loves them and they do not feel it. He cries because they have his forgiveness but do not realize it.
50:18 Again reiterating Joseph's dream as a youth, his brothers bow down to him. The power of God in Joseph's life has convinced people that he is god-like. Yet Joseph knows and lives and breathes humility and love for God...
50:19... he is quick to remind his brothers that he is not God. If they are discontented with their actions, it is to God they must bring their burdens.
50:20 Joseph comforts his brothers explaining to them that even though they acted cruelly, God saved their brother whom they betrayed. God enabled Joseph to turn a traumatic experience into a blessed one: he became able to save his entire family and all who lived in Egypt. He married a woman and they had children.
50:21 Joseph assures his brothers that they have nothing to fear. Joseph will always provide for them. He comforts them, promising to take care of their entire families. As he always is, Joseph is kind with them. God's love and compassion filled and fueled Joseph: only love and compassion motivated him.
50:22 Joseph and his family remained in Egypt and he reached one hundred and ten years old.
50:23 Joseph was alive to see his grandchildren and their children.
50:24 As Joseph reaches the end of his life he promises his family that they will receive prophesy and guidance from God through another. God will continue the oath he made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.
50:25 God promises that God will visit them; he then requests that they bury him in Egypt.
50:26 So Joseph is buried in Egypt; the place which in many ways became his true home: the place where the development of his faith took place, the reunion with his brothers, the reunion with his father, his marriage, the birth of his children. Egypt was the place where God led Joseph and he was grateful for everything he (through God) accomplished there.
