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the end of the Joseph story

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Genesis chapter 50

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Joseph having undergone tremendous change is now a new person

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Jacob has died

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had asked his sons to bury him in the land of Canaan

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sons seek Pharaoh's approval to take the body to Canaan

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Pharaoh grants permission

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but sends men along with him to ensure the return of Jacob's sons after the burial

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theological challenge of the doctrine of election

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a problem for the elect themselves

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the one chosen is tempted to interpret his status as a mandate for domination

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e.g. Joseph's report of his dreams

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it's not just the fact that the chosen individual has a challenge before him

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the non-elect have a challenge as well

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unlikely to view their status with grace or quiet acceptance

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they must play their subordinate role with grace and due regard for the common good

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but the brothers begin to worry when news of the death of their father arrives

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"When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, 'It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil which we did to him.'" - Genesis 50:15

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the brothers concoct a ruse and make up a white lie

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"So they sent a message to Joseph saying, 'Your father gave this command before he died: Say to Joseph, Forgive, I pray you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.' And now, we pray you, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.'" - Genesis 50: 16-17

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Joseph is heartbroken by the worries of his brothers and breaks into tears when hearing of the ruse they have concocted

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brothers are not content to simply forward this message

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they throw themselves in person at his mercy

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"His brothers also came and fell down before him, and said, Behold, we are your servants. But Joseph said to them, Fear not, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear, I will provide for you and your little ones. Thus he reassured them and comforted them." - Genesis 50:18-21

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the prostration of the brothers in front of Joseph

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he prophesied with his dreams that this would happen

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they declared themselves willing to be slaves

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these events were a fulfilling of Joseph's dreams

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and since the dreams were inspired by God, we might expect Joseph to accept this homage of his brothers

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it seems to be divinely ordered