Abraham's Living Promise

FAITH IN ACTION:
LIVING AS FAITHFUL PEOPLE
God's Protection
Joseph Transmits Abraham's Promise

Genesis 50:15-26

The Message

^14-15 After burying his father, Joseph went back to Egypt. All his brothers who had come with him to bury his father returned with him. After the funeral, Joseph's brothers talked among themselves: "What if Joseph is carrying a grudge and decides to pay us back for all the wrong we did him?"
 ^16-17 So they sent Joseph a message, "Before his death, your father gave this command: Tell Joseph, 'Forgive your brothers' sin—all that wrongdoing. They did treat you very badly.' Will you do it? Will you forgive the sins of the servants of your father's God?"
   When Joseph received their message, he wept.
 ¹⁸ Then the brothers went in person to him, threw themselves on the ground before him and said, "We'll be your slaves."
 ^19-21 Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I'll take care of you and your children." He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.
 ^22-23 Joseph continued to live in Egypt with his father's family. Joseph lived 110 years. He lived to see Ephraim's sons into the third generation. The sons of Makir, Manasseh's son, were also recognized as Joseph's.
 ²⁴ At the end, Joseph said to his brothers, "I am ready to die. God will most certainly pay you a visit and take you out of this land and back to the land he so solemnly promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
 ²⁵ Then Joseph made the sons of Israel promise under oath, "When God makes his visitation, make sure you take my bones with you as you leave here."
 ²⁶ Joseph died at the age of 110 years. They embalmed him and placed him in a coffin in Egypt.

For Reflection 

We are all sinful.  In spite of our sometimes wicked ways, God finds a way to redeem us and to use us to realize His kingdom.  Be reassured, God is good and will lead us to good ends.  He has faith in us.  We should remain faithful in spite of what we interpret as evil. God turns it into good.

Pray
for all of Gods people.  Pray that they will hold steadfast to the goodness that is God.