I never get tired of reading the happy ending of Joseph’s story Beginning in Genesis 44. I love stories with a happy ending. This one is the best. Not only does Joseph’s early childhood dreams come true as he rules not Just over Egypt, but in effect, over the whole known world. He saves his whole family, as well as much of the world, from the famine and he is reunited with his family.
That’s the best part! His brothers plotted his murder and sold him as a slave. He had every reason to, and justification, to strike back in vengeance and “get even” or “ahead.” But that would not have constituted a happy ending at all.
But instead, he tested their repentance. He recognized that they were indeed sorry for their deed, and had changed because now they would not desert their little brother Benjamin. Joseph wept with joy and fell upon them! That means he hugged and kissed them all! But the real happy ending is Joseph’s recognition of God’s hand in it all!
In his complete forgiveness of them, Joseph says, “But don’t be upset and don’t be angry with yourselves.” This was because Joseph was not angry with them. He goes on in 45:5, “It was God who sent me here.” In 47 he says, “It was God.” In 48, he repeats, “so it was God.”
And they lived happily ever after!