“But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said. So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said. But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them. So Joseph and his brothers and their families continued to live in Egypt. Joseph lived to the age of 110. He lived to see three generations of descendants of his son Ephraim, and he lived to see the birth of the children of Manasseh’s son Makir, whom he claimed as his own. “Soon I will die,” Joseph told his brothers, “but God will surely come to help you and lead you out of this land of Egypt. He will bring you back to the land he solemnly promised to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath, and he said, “When God comes to help you and lead you back, you must take my bones with you.” So Joseph died at the age of 110. The Egyptians embalmed him, and his body was placed in a coffin in Egypt.”
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Genesis‬ ‭50‬:‭15‬-‭26‬ ‭NLT

Joseph’s story concludes similarly to that of his father’s. He too made a complete journey that built legacy and respect. Yet, he came at it from a different set of circumstances and worldview. Unlike his father, who deserved every ounce of negative treatment he procured, Joseph was unduly treated harshly. Whereas Jacob had a legacy built by the breaking down of his ego. Joseph had a legacy built by the building up of his wisdom. He rightfully came to understand that God’s plans are of much more concern than the plans of men. Even the evil plans don’t outweigh the goodness of God’s design. Here we see that this wasn’t a merely a musing for him. When he forgave his brothers before, it wasn’t a farce. He doubles down on the truth that he has come to learn. God is good in his sovereignty, even when men are evil and heinous. How could he blame them when God used them at their worst to save everyone? Joseph’s true form is this. He has become one who puts aside his own pride and due vengeance, and sacrifices it for the sake of the greater good and the acknowledgment that God is good and in control. He ended his life as more than just a ruler. He did not become a vengeful tyrant. Instead he became minister of reconciliation and peace. We ought to endeavor to be the same, no matter how harshly or unjustly we have been treated.

Joseph’s Legacy: Built on wisdom and understanding of God’s sovereignty, not on ego breakdown like his father.

Joseph’s Character: Demonstrated forgiveness and a commitment to the greater good, even in the face of evil and injustice.

Lesson from Joseph’s Story: Emphasizes the importance of putting aside personal pride and seeking reconciliation and peace, even in the face of harsh treatment.