AM I IN THE PLACE OF GOD?

“But Yosef said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid! Am I in the place of God?’”
Genesis 50:19

The Torah records that after Ya’akov gave his final words to his sons, he charged them with taking his body to the cave purchased from the sons of Het. It was here that Avraham, Sarah, Yitz’chak, Rivkah, and Le’ah had been buried. Following this, Ya’akov pulled his legs up into the bed and breathed his last breath. For forty days following Ya’akov was embalmed as requested by Yosef and in accordance to Egyptian culture. The Egyptians then mourned his passed for seventy days. But as promised by the sons, the caravan brought Ya’akov’s body back to the promised land.
With Ya’akov now unable to bring any protection to the brothers, fear again began to arise. An agreement was made by the eleven to plead with Yosef for their lives, stating that their father wanted Yosef to forgive them as his final wish. To this request Yosef questioned the brothers, “Am I in the place of God?” Yosef had known and said already that what they had meant for harm had been turned around for good. So then with this fact reiterated, Yosef assured his brothers that he was not going to harm them.
As I read these words I am challenged to consider how I behave in my moments of injustice. Do I find myself seeking revenge, or do I find myself giving grace and mercy to my offenders? When ill is done to me how do I react? I know how I should react, but it can be so hard to do what I know I should. These words of Joseph, then, speak to me. Am I in the place of God?

Genesis 49:27 – 50:20