Genesis 50:15-21 is the First Reading appointed for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost in the Year of Matthew. It is a marvelous example of a text that includes both a powerful statement of Law and one of Gospel. It will be the work of the preacher to bring that to life in this sermon.
(The following questions are not meant to be exhaustive, but simply offer a template for understanding how the Word is functioning in the text, a central concern of Law and Gospel preachers. For more on this method and on Law and Gospel preaching in general, see my brief guide, Afflicting the Comfortable, Comforting the Afflicted, available from wipfandstock.com or amazon.)
1. How does the Word function in the text? The Law lies heavy upon the brothers as they realize that with their father's death comes an opportunity for Joseph to pay them back for all the evil they inflicted upon him. Their guilt is palatable, and finally breaks out in desperation as they fall at Joseph's feet, crying out, "We are here as your slaves." But the Gospel breaks the power of guilt as Joseph declares, "Have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones." Forgiveness is assured.
2. With whom are you identifying in the text? Both the realization of guilt and the word of forgiveness come to the brothers, thus we identify with them. This is our state before God as well.
3. What, if any, call to obedience is there in this text? There is no explicit word here that invites us to live in response to God's grace, but we can take a cue from Joseph and understand that the grace he has received from God is what is driving him to live in this forgiving way.
4. What Law/Gospel couplet is suggested by this text? There are a number of classic couplets that come to mind here, namely those suggested by Herman Stuempfle: Alienation/Reconciliation; Anxiety/Certitude; Despair/Hope. Any of these would be a fine way to design this sermon.
5. Exegetical work: In Luther's extensive commentary on this passage he makes much of the guilt and fear which the brothers experience. He speaks in terms of their bondage to this guilt and fear: "...they are so tormented by the consciousness of their crime and the sting of death that they cannot trust the man who has deserved so well of them." "For now that their father is dead, they, conscious of their guilt, tremble and are afraid that Joseph may hate them, avenge the wrong that has been done, and render evil for evil." (Luther's Works, Vol. 8, "Lectures on Genesis, Chapters 45-50", p. 324) Walter Brueggemann, in his contemporary commentary notes the fact that back in Chapter 45, when Joseph reveals himself to his brothers for the first time, he already assures them that he has forgiven them. Even so they cannot believe it. "The brothers are not yet rid of their guilt. Even though 45:1-15 has already given assurances on this score, the brothers do not know whether the assurances will hold." "These brothers know that the only one who can break the cycle and banish the guilt is the wronged party, the one whom they fear." (Genesis, Interpretation series, p. 370). This mirrors our position before God so well.
6. Consider the insights of the pioneers of the New Homiletic? Fred Craddock always insisted that the preacher's task was to bring the experience of the text to the listener. This would be a great text to do just that: have the listeners experience the same sense of forgiveness that the brothers of Joseph did. That would be truly an experience of good news!
Blessings on your proclamation!
