Restoration - Joseph Part II

…The real point of the story is this:

“Now therefore, do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” – Joseph, Genesis 50:21

The real point of the story is restoration.

Genesis 45 is a beautiful chapter. Here, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers. He assures them that he holds nothing against them; God’s will has triumphed over their sin. He inquires about his father and commands his brothers to restore the family by bringing Jacob to Egypt.

The rest of the book is full of hope. It is such a welcome respite from the Genesis tragedy. I love the part where Joseph meets his father at Goshen and weeps in his arms “a good while.” [Gen 46:29] Finally, the family is together again. They are not a perfect family, but they have come a long way. If you pay attention to Jacob’s speech and demeanor throughout the remainder of the book you can sense that he has deepened his relationship with God – or at least his understanding of the important legacy his family carries.

Soon Joseph is busy implementing communism (Don’t believe me? Read Genesis 47:13-26) and things seem to be going well. In time Jacob dies, but not before his epic blessing on the twelve tribes of Israel. Then, at the very end of the book we begin to see that latent insecurities have plagued the brothers for years. They still question Joseph’s forgiveness, but Joseph won’t stand for that kind of thinking; in fact he is moved to tears once again: “Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore do not be afraid, I will provide for you and your little ones.’ And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” [Genesis 50:20-21]

Joseph’s speech is full of grace, yet it does not gloss over wrongdoing. I am sure that the brothers walked away from that conversation feeling a mixture of regret and relief. Joseph’s forgiveness was genuine; they did not deserve such grace.

Forgiveness, grace, justice – this is all part of the restoration at the end of Genesis. Joseph not only preserves the nation of Israel and thus the line of Christ, but his example provides a glimpse of the Shalom that will come.