Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph's brothers said, "What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?"1 So they approached Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this instruction before he died, 'Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.'2 Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept3 when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, "We are here as your slaves."
But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God?4 Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good,5 in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones." In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.6
[1]They still acknowledge their wrongdoing, and it pains them.
[2]Is this legitimate, or are they making it up? The context makes it appear that they are just making it up to save themselves.
[3]Emotion shining through again. Genesis is such an emotional, touching narrative in places.
[4]They had legit reasons to fear that he had been placing himself in such a place before. But his humility here is good.
[5]That is quite a comforting thing to say to them.
[6]A wonderful statement to begin to close off Joseph's narrative.
Take-home: An emotional, comforting exchange begins to bring the Genesis narrative to a close, showing that true reconciliation had occurred between the sons of Jacob. The theme that "God is in control" is reaffirmed.
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