I Doubt They Genuinely Repented

Did Joseph’s brothers ever sincerely repent of selling him into slavery? 

They acted sorry when they thought they were in trouble (Genesis 42:21), but they didn't ask forgiveness until their father died and they feared Joseph’s revenge (50:15-21). 

Then they claimed to have a message from their father Jacob, a message Jacob never mentioned in his final words to Joseph (Genesis 49).

If the brothers had repented earlier, they'd have known how forgiving Joseph was. But they waited until they were worried Joseph might take revenge and faked this message from their father.

When this happened, Joseph wept. Some think he wept because his brothers were finally repenting. I think he was crying because they were still lying and conniving and refusing to honestly face their sins.

None-the-less, Joseph showed superior character:

“Am I God to judge and punish you?” he said, “God turned into good what you meant for evil.”  (Genesis 50:19-20)

Because Joseph loved God, he refused to become bitter or take revenge.

If you're struggling to forgive someone who’s unrepentant, remember that God is able to use any offense for your good (Romans 8:28).


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