“And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him” (Genesis 50:15). Joseph’s brothers had been shocked at the good treatment they received from Joseph when he first revealed himself to them in Egypt, but now that their father was dead, they supposed that he would probably take his revenge. Why would they think such a thing? Had Joseph given them any indication of this? No. But, as often happens, they assumed that Joseph’s motives for doing what was right toward them was the same as their own often were–pleasing their father. However, when they urged Joseph not to do anything to them in accordance with Jacob’s wishes, “Joseph wept when they spake unto him” (Genesis 50:17).
Joseph behaved righteously toward his brothers from a righteous heart-not because of his father’s desires. For some reason, many people today think that it is a great accomplishment to teach their children to do what is right “for their sake.” We need to return to a desire for righteousness, so that we do what is right because it is right, because God said it, because it is the best thing to do. When we need motivation to do right beyond the fact that it is right, we lack integrity. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).
