This was not really the end of this, because when Jacob died the brothers still were apprehensive because they felt that perhaps Joseph allowed them to be alive only because Jacob was alive, and out of deference to their father he did not hurt the family. They were as guilty as sin, and many years after, their consciences were still smiting them, because Joseph was there on the throne, and even though he did not say anything, he was condemning them simply by the fact that he was there. Their consciences were smitten. They felt they needed to be reassured once again.
But Joseph was a different caliber of person. After Jacob died, you probably know, years after this situation in chapter 45, they sought reassurance, that is, Joseph's brothers sought reassurance that Joseph would not retaliate for their terrible act. They were still wracked with guilt and still full of fear. But let us notice what happened there?
He was crushed that they still thought this way, that they had not accepted his forgiveness of them. They still were feeling guilty for something that had been done, by now it was like 37 years earlier.
