Genesis 50 Joseph forgives his brothers

Introduction

Josephs life has been an amazing study about a man who allowed God to direct every aspect of his life and trusted every step of his life.

This morning we aren’t going to see any difference in the message, but this time, not only will Joseph see this, but his brothers will see this in Josephs life as well.

Mourning the loss of Jacob vs. 1-6

Even after many years apart Joseph still had a deep love for his dad vs. 1

Joseph commands his servants to embalm his father

Both Jacob and later Joseph are both embalmed in the manner of the Egyptians, and the remains of both were carried back for permanent burial in the promised land.

Notice the respect that not only Joseph had for his father, but all the Egyptians mourned the loss of Jacob for 70 days.

Josephs request to Pharoah vs. 4-5

Remember the requests of Jacob in Genesis 47:29–31 “29 And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt: 30 But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said. 31 And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed’s head.”

Pharoah gives him permission vs. 6

While Joseph was second in command, he couldn’t just leave Egypt, he would need permission from Pharoah to go.

With the respect Pharoah had for Joseph, he allowed him to go bury his dad in Canaan

Joseph and his brother bury Jacob vs. 7-13

There was a large group that went to bury Jacob vs. 7-9

All the servants of Pharoah

The elders of his house

all of the elders of Egypt

All of the house of Joseph

All of his brethren

All of the house of Jacob

Only their little ones and there sheep and cattle did they leave behind to go bury Jacob.

Both chariots and horsemen went with him as well

When they got beyond Jordan they stopped and mourned another 7 days

The Canaanites saw the mourning and named the place Abelmizraim which literally means Mourning of Egypt

His sons did what they were commanded to do by Jacob before he died vs. 12-13

A Reminder of Gods sovereignty vs. 14-21

Notice the brothers disbelief of Josephs forgiveness vs. 14-18

Now that dads dead he will

Hate us

He will requite or repay us for all the evil we did to him

They sent a messenger to Joseph vs. 16-17

read verse 17

They fell down on their faces before Joseph vs. 18

Then Notice the response of Joseph vs. 19-21

It goes against our human nature to respond like Joseph, but look how he responds

Matthew 5:44–45 “44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Joseph responded the way Jesus tells us to in the sermon on the mount.

The death of Joseph vs. 22-26

The life span is continuing to get shorter due to the effects on sin

Josephs promise to his brothers vs. 24

Josephs promise to the children of Israel vs. 25

Josephs death vs. 26

The condotion of Israel following his death

Exodus 1:8 “8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.”