Genesis 50:15-18 - Selfishness
Scripture:
Genesis 50:15-18
15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was
dead, they said, " What if Joseph bears a grudge against
us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we
did to him!"
16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your
father charged before he died, saying,
17 'Thus you shall say to Joseph, "Please forgive, I beg
you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin,
for they did you wrong."' And now, please forgive the
transgression of the servants of the God of your
father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
18 Then his brothers also came and fell down before him
and said, "Behold, we are your servants."
NASU
Thoughts:
This seems like something Joseph's brothers made up in
desperation. They dishonored their father in life, and
now seem to do so in death, as well.
The hardness and selfishness of the human heart is
despicable. Particularly when it shows itself around
the death of a loved one. Here the brothers are
presumably putting words into the mouth of the dead to
save their own skins, but how many families have divided
over the dividing of the deceased's property? How ugly
is unbridled selfishness! And how needless. Better to
lose in this world than sin. And of course, their
alleged plotting was for no reason as Joseph had
forgiven them well before this and weeps that they think
it necessary now (v17b).
Prayer:
Lord, deliver me from selfishness! Rather than worrying
about what I receive or how I am treated, help me to
trust in You like Joseph. To be a servant of all, like
Joseph. To glorify You, like Joseph.
Amen