THANKS FOR READING! I took a break from my public blogging for nearly six months after finishing Genesis with the following entry. I now blog at pirate-pastor.blogspot.com.
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Click here to read Genesis 50
Joseph had such a good relationship with Egypt that they mourned the death of his father, and accompanied him to his father's funeral.
Joseph weeps again (#6), mourning for his father.
Jacob is embalmed, possibly as a culturally sensitive way of showing the Egyptians how important he was, or possibly to keep his body until he could be buried in Canaan. 70 days of mourning were probably 40 for embalming (the Egyptian time of mourning) plus 30 for the traditional Hebrew time of mourning. This shows a great deal of respect not just for Jacob, but also for his people.
Pharaoh respects Joseph's vow and Joseph leads a procession to his family tomb where Jacob is buried.
Joseph's brothers did not completely receive the forgiveness that Joseph offered them fully and unconditionally in chapter 45. They call God "the God of YOUR father". They do not yet know God for themself, but Joseph does. That they should try to gain his forgiveness by manipulation causes him to weep (7th time!). We are reminded of Jacob's attempts to placate his brother, Esau.
Genesis 50:19-20
But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
vv19-20 - This statement sums up much of the theme of all of Genesis. Joseph is unwilling to take God's place. He KNOWS who God is. The next verse shows that Joseph puts God in his proper place if true authority. He also KNOWS who he is.
He restrains himself. Though he has been placed in a position of authority over his brothers, he does not assume the licence to use that power.
Relationally, he insists that he and his brothers are equal. God is the only true authority.
v20 - God meant what happened to Joseph for good. Joseph does not judge, because of his faith in God. It is faith in God's work that allows him to be nonjudgmental.
This verse is a thesis for the entire book of Genesis.
Considering the original audience again, we see how this would resonate as the previous chapters resonated with the judgments of Simeon and Levi. They will be given authority by God to take the land of Canaan. But that authority will never be theirs. It will always remain in God's hands. They are only plenipotentiaries. They are ambassadors of the One who is the only king. They should not assume to take the authority for themself, as though it is for them to judge. God alone is sovereign. God alone is judge. To use power or authority outside of God's intention is an abuse of that power. This is oppression and injustice. There is only one legitimate authority, and that is God.
The Israelites are to restrain themselves in their taking of the land of Canaan. Though the narrative is ruthless in the battles of Joshua and Judges, it is God's wrath, not the wrath of the Israelites that should be seen.
Later in the Torah, we see Moses judged harshly by God for walking in authority that had not been given him. He struck a rock when God told him to speak to it. When water comes out, he takes credit for what God does. For this, Moses is denied entrance to the Promised Land. The severity of his punishment shows how seriously God's authority (and no other) should be taken.
The kings of Israel take a lesson from Joseph and Genesis here. The descendants of Judah are representatives of God, and are to act in a way that reflects his authority. Their kingship shows the people what his kingship is like. When they abused their power, they marred the image of God the king that they were to reflect.
Finally, vv19-20 bring us all the way back to Genesis chapter 3 and the fall.
We are not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The power of judgment is not in our hands. God alone is judge. God alone is the Master Avenger. The same judge who will enact justice upon those we believe are our enemies will also judge us without partiality. We live in humility and submission to the one and only authority, and we will not raise his sceptre ourselves.
Whatever is meant for evil, God intends for good. When we remove our hands from the fruit of the forbidden tree, we rest in the knowledge that our good God will accomplish every good purpose he intends.
Why the serpent? Why barrenness? Why slavery? Why injustice?
Whatever the circumstance, God will deftly play his pieces to turn the tables in his favour. No matter how the pieces may be played, no matter how his enemies may appear to gain an upper hand, God always owns the board, and he will always checkmate.
EPILOGUE
Joseph adopted his (biological) great grandchildren before he died. They were placed on his knees as his sons were placed on Jacob's knees.
Joseph remembers God's promise that they will be taken back to Canaan. When this happens, it will be by God's hand. He makes them promise to take his body to the Promised Land.
Unlike his father whose body was brought to the family grave immediately, Joseph asks to be brought there when they are all brought to the Promised Land by God. His embalming would preserve him until they arrive. His body lay in a temporary tomb, and by it the Israelites would always remember that God's promises were still to be fulfilled, and sure to happen.
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