GENESIS: Joseph's Eulogy and Testimony of His Life; Joseph said to his brothers, "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive."

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.” (Genesis 50:15)

After nearly twenty years, Joseph's brothers still felt guilty for what they had done to Joseph, and they felt that he was only treating them kindly because their father was alive.  Now that Jacob had died, they feared Joseph would finally get them back. How sad to live with fear and regrets. Joseph had forgiven them and they were free from the burden of guilt, but didn't accept it.  

Let this be a lesson to us, as Jesus taught, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:36) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9) When we confess our sins, repent and ask God to forgive us, because we have put out faith in Christ Jesus, God does forgive us; and You [God] will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:19) As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12)

So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.”’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. (Genesis 50:16-17) The brothers were sincere, but they were still trying to manipulate the situation.

Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:18-21) 

You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good! What a powerful statement! No matter what may happen in our lives, if we are saved and therefore children of God, we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) The good and the bad, God has a purpose for all of it in our lives, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4) Everything we go through serves a purpose in molding us into the person God created us to be.

So Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he and his father’s household. And Joseph lived one hundred and ten years. Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were also brought up on Joseph’s knees. (Genesis 50:22-23) Joseph was blessed to live long enough to see his two sons grow old and have children and grandchildren, the sons that Jacob blessed to share in the inheritance with all of Joseph's brothers. (Genesis 48-49)

And Joseph said to his brethren, “I am dying; but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Then Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” So Joseph died, being one hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. (Genesis 50:23-26) Joseph, an Israelite second in command after Pharaoh in Egypt, was buried in Egypt as royalty, but his body would not stay there forever. 

Moreover He called for a famine in the land; He destroyed all the provision of bread. 

He sent a man before them— Joseph—who was sold as a slave [Genesis 37]. 

They hurt his feet with fetters, he was laid in irons [Genesis 39]. 

Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him [Genesis 40]. 

The king sent and released him, the ruler of the people let him go free. 

He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his possessions [Genesis 41],

to bind his princes at his pleasure, and teach his elders wisdom. (Psalm 105:16-22) 

Israel also came into Egypt, and Jacob dwelt in the land of Ham [Genesis 42-46]. 

He increased His people greatly, and made them stronger than their enemies. 

He turned their heart to hate His people, to deal craftily with His servants. (Psalm 105:16-25)

The children of Israel were in Egypt originally because there was a seven year famine in all the land, and Joseph wanted his father and all his family to come to Egypt so that he could take care of them. (Genesis 47) Their stay was not to be permanent, because this was not the promised land, the land of which God swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. However, they were comfortable, and as long as Joseph lived, they were treated well. Now that Joseph was dead, things would change, and hence would begin the EXODUS...