End of Beginning
Read This Week: Genesis 50
But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them. – Genesis 50:19-21 NIV
The final chapter of this great book of the Bible, Genesis 50, brings together the themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the enduring legacy of faith that we have been studying for almost a year. As the book of beginnings, Genesis truly does lay the foundation for the narrative arc of the Bible and points us toward the cross of Christ, the ultimate act of forgiveness that reconciled us to God through His blood. This particular chapter serves as the perfect ending or profound conclusion that brings closure to the account of one of the patriarchs, Joseph, and his family and ushers us into the rest of the story.
Jacob has passed away, and Joseph, his beloved son, mourns deeply. Joseph orders the embalming of his father, a process taking forty days, which aligns with Egyptian customs. The Egyptians observe a grand mourning period of seventy days, reflecting their high regard for Joseph and his family. He receives Pharaoh’s permission to bury his father in Canaan, fulfilling Jacob’s last wish. A large entourage accompanies Joseph, including Egyptian dignitaries, showing the importance of the event. Joseph’s ability to secure Pharaoh’s permission and the presence of high-ranking officials at the funeral illustrate the influence and respect he garnered through his leadership and integrity. This is such an example for us of how living a life of character and faithfulness can impact so many around us, even those who don’t believe or are far from God.
After Jacob’s death, Joseph’s brothers fear punishment for their past wrongs against him. They send a message to Joseph, claiming that Jacob left instructions for him to forgive them. Joseph cries when he receives the message because he understands and sympathizes with their fear and guilt. He reassures them that what they intended for harm, God intended for good, to accomplish the saving of many lives. His ongoing forgiveness is powerful and effective not only for his family but for generations that came after him and even for us reading about it centuries later.
Despite their terrible actions, Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers is a powerful testament to the strength and necessity of forgiveness. It encourages us to let go of past grievances and embrace reconciliation. His statements in verses 19-20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good,” provide a profound perspective on adversity. They remind us to trust in God’s plan and to see challenges as opportunities for growth and greater good. Joseph’s empathetic response to his brothers’ fear and his ability to reassure them shows his gracious heart and his emotional intelligence that allowed him to heal and maintain his relationships while continuously forgiving.
Joseph lives to the age of 110, witnessing the growth and multiplication of his family in Egypt. Before his death, he reminds them of God’s promise to bring them out of Egypt to the land sworn to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He makes the Israelites swear to carry his bones up from Egypt when God fulfills this promise. Joseph dies and is placed in a coffin in Egypt, awaiting the future exodus. His unwavering faith in God’s promises, even on his deathbed, inspires us to trust in God’s faithfulness and to hold onto His promises through it all. Joseph’s final words instill hope and vision for the future. They encourage us to look beyond our present circumstances and to live with a sense of purpose and expectation for what God has in store.
Genesis 50 represents the end of the beginning. It is, like the whole of the book, an advent of emotions, lessons, and faith in the story of God and man. To close with a message of reconciliation, enduring faith, and the fulfillment of God’s promises is fitting to how it began and to the meta-narrative of the gospel woven throughout the Scriptures. As we reflect on the events and themes of this chapter, we are reminded to honor the Lord, be thankful for His covenant promises, practice forgiveness, trust in God’s greater plan, and leave a legacy of faith. These timeless principles are as applicable today as they were in the time of Joseph, guiding us in our mission, personal journeys, and relationships.
Genesis Chapter 50 Verse 20
As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day.
~We Do Not Suffer In Vain~
What God Is Saying To Me:
My child, when unexplained events happen, rest assured in me knowing that I am able and capable to intervene and repair evil with good for those that seek me, follow me and cry out to me. Me. I use negative situations and worldly consequences to accomplish a greater good. I cannot excuse sin, but I can utilize those situations as part of a greater plan to glorify me and the Kingdom. (Romans 8:28) For those who love me, all things work together for good for those called according to my purpose.
What This Means To Me:
1. As Christians, we have to recognize and believe that evil exist but truly understand that nothing can separate us from His love for us through Jesus Christ.
2. God has power and specific plans for his chosen people that supersedes any evil act that exist.
3. Sometimes, God will allow things to happen in our lives that are concerning and startling, but we must maintain great faith and belief that He is in control. He loves us and will stop at nothing to draw us closer to Him for the greater good of the Kingdom and his universal plan. We do not suffer in vain! ❤️
This song is real!
After all these years I see Joseph’s brothers are feeling like they haven’t been forgiven.
Sometimes we can feel like Maybe I haven’t been forgiven. But that’s a lie.
We don’t have to ask Father God over and over to forgive us, we don’t have to beg.
if we asked Him to forgive us for making a mistake, made a choice that was not His will for us, done something that was not good,
If you asked Father God to forgive you, well then you can count on it that He forgave you!
Thank you Father God for Your forgiveness is a gift!
Father God was saying to me
My daughter
Please remember in the future that you don’t have to keep asking me over and over to forgive you. I forgive you the first time you asked.
I know your heart, you have learned so much about forgiveness and I see you helping others. A lot of people need to learn about how much I love them and I love to see them being set free.
What this means to me is
I know I’m forgiven and The Holy Spirit leads and guides me in my life
And I like the part in the song where it says
I’m a treasure in Christ arms because I’m forgiven
Thank you Father for the gift of forgiveness ❤️
I love you❤️
Genesis 5015 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph carries a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father commanded us before he died, saying, 17 ‘You are to say to Joseph, “I beg you, please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.”’ Now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.”
Like the brothers of Joseph
Forgiven
Sanctus Real
Well, the past is playing with my head
If failure knocks me down again
I’m reminded of the wrong that I have said and done
And that devil just won’t let me forget
In this life, I know what I’ve been
But here in Your arms, I know what I am
I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
I don’t have to carry the weight of who I’ve been
‘Cause I’m forgiven
My mistakes are running through my mind
And I relive my days in the middle of the night
And I struggle with my pain, wrestle with my pride
Sometimes, I feel alone, and I cry
And in this life, I know what I’ve been
But here in Your arms, I know what I am
I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
I don’t have to carry the weight of who I’ve been
‘Cause I’m forgiven
When I don’t fit in
And I don’t feel like I belong anywhere
When I don’t measure up too much in this life
Oh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ
‘Cause I’m forgiven
But I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry the weight of who I’ve been
‘Cause I’m forgiven
This week in Genesis 50 god gave me a song
Forgiveness
Let’s come together to worship our Lord. Let’s come together to worship our Lord lifting our hands praising and singing, glory glory hallelujah. We are blessed. We are blessed because we have a wonderful father who loves us who forgives us in turns the bad to good Yes our Lord is a wonderful father His heart is full of love, kindness and joy, so let’s be like our Lord learning to forgive quickly like our Lord, who forgive us. We are children of the Lord children of the Lord sharing his love with others
Amen
I feel blessed because he forgave me, Im learning to forgive more quickly. We need to always try to find good and love people like our Lord.
Today, I’d like to start a discussion on honor and respect. Do you feel respected or disrespected by those around you? Do you feel honored by the people in your life, or do you feel they don’t honor you at all?
Let’s turn the question around: do you show respect and honor to the people around you? This is an important question to reflect upon as you consider your interactions with others. How did you treat them, and how did they respond?
I’ve discovered that to receive respect and honor, you must first show respect and honor to others. Building a life characterized by respect and honor requires being a person who consistently demonstrates these qualities. Essentially, you get what you give.
1. Joseph exemplified honor and respect towards his father and others.
2. In return, Joseph received honor and respect from his father and others.
3. God commands us to honor our father and mother, and He desires for us to become people who are universally honorable and respectful. This becomes our reputation, shaping how others perceive us and aiding us in developing a respectful and honorable relationship with our Father God.
PODCAST
This Week in the Life: Genesis 50
For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and the second song.
1. Sunday Worship – First Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240623-Worship1.wav
2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240623-Message.wav
3. Sunday Worship – Second Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240623-Worship2.wav
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In Genesis 50, this is what I got from God. In this chapter I revealed that you are to mourn those who have died. Yet I do not want you to mourn without hope. I revealed that when your hope lies in the Promised Land, it can never be taken away. After Israel’s death, Joseph’s brothers took their eyes off Me, and feared Joseph would retaliate against them for what they had done to Joseph. Hope in the eternal Promised Land requires your faith in My promises. I revealed that your hope in the eternal Promised Land would not be possible without My Son Jesus Christ, suffering on the cross for you. I will prolong your life, when you live in faith. Your hope in Christ, includes the promise of your future resurrection. Joseph understood it wasn’t his job to bring retribution upon his brothers. That would be My job. Joseph said to his brothers “you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” No matter what you go through, I will use it for good, if you let me. Be grateful for for My great and wise plan, that I have for you. I want you to know who I am, and trust Me to be who I say I am. You need to confess Jesus as Lord and Savior to others. Believe in your heart that I raised Jesus from the dead, and you will be saved.
What this said to me was I need to have faith in God’s promises. Everything I go through, God can use it for good. It is not my place to judge anyone or try to get back at someone for hurting me. God is the only Judge. I need to share Jesus with everyone I can to help lead them to Him, and one day be in the Promised Land as God’s children.