Genesis 50:1-14    

Joseph appeals to Pharaoh’s household for permission to go and bury his father outside Egypt. He makes it clear that he is doing this at the request of Jacob himself. Calvin asserts that this was Joseph’s way of laying the blame on his father because the Egyptians would take offense at the request. More likely, Joseph was wisely appealing to the Egyptians’ sense of familial honor. His appeal worked. The Egyptians joined him in mourning his father’s death.

LORD, help us to speak with wisdom among those who do not yet know you.