After the burial of Jacob, the brothers are anxious about how Joseph might treat them. Their anxiety offers insight into the persistent fear that accompanies guilt over a harmful act against another, especially against a family member. Only full and genuine reconciliation removes that anxiety. This story is important, for it recounts the establishment of true solidarity among Jacob’s twelve sons in a foreign land.

In this account Joseph’s brothers send word to him (vv. 15–18), and Joseph and his brothers achieve full reconciliation (vv. 19–21).

50:15–17 Without the security of their father’s presence and fearful that Joseph might seek revenge, the brothers felt the need to define their relationship with Joseph. Not sufficiently confident of Joseph’s forgiveness to approach him directly, …