February 11, 2024
Reading: Genesis 45
Focus: Genesis 45:7 – But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
Father God, Thank You for Your blessings. Help us to understand that You will work ALL things for our good. That You can see our future and know where we need to be both spiritually and physically. Teach us to be content in every circumstance. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Let’s take a look at Joseph’s age at this point. The Bible says he was seventeen when he was sold into slavery (Genesis 37:2) When he was thirty, he was made the second most powerful man in Egypt. (Genesis 41:46) We need to add seven more years, at least, before he sees his brothers again because the years of plenty were past and the famine had begun. (Genesis 41:53) We are also told that Egypt did not feel the effects of the famine immediately. (Genesis 41: 55) Genesis 45:11 tells us that there were 5 years of famine left. That would make Joseph thirty-nine or forty years old. The brothers had not seen Joseph for at least twenty-three years. It was no wonder that they didn’t recognize him. Time changes people. For all they knew, he really was dead. But he wasn’t.
Joseph now knows that his brothers have changed over the years. He has seen the change in their honesty and in their concern for family. He also sees a great change in Judah. It was Judah who suggested that Joseph be sold to the slave traders back in the day. The testing was over and Joseph’s emotions were overwhelming. He sent all of his Egyptian attendants away so that he could have some privacy with his brothers. Privacy among family and friends is just that private. There was no need for the attendants to see this reunion. There was also no need for the Egyptians to learn that it was his brothers who had sold him as a slave. The Hebrews were already a people who were disliked by Egyptians. There was no need to add more fuel to that fire.
Joseph began to weep. It wasn’t the silent, tears-running-down-the-face type of weeping. It was loud. So loud that the Egyptians he sent out of the room heard it and Pharoah’s household heard about it. Gossip travels fast. Still does for that matter. Then Joseph told his brothers who he was. He didn’t say just “I am Joseph.” He said, “I am Joseph, your brother.” Some Bible translations say that his brothers were dismayed. Others say ‘troubled”. The New International Version states that they were terrified. Well, yeah! They knew what they had done so many years ago. They knew he could have them all killed or thrown into prison and then forgotten them without a thought. They had been riddled with guilt about selling Joseph as a slave more during these trips to Egypt than they had ever been before. They viewed the problems they had experienced as punishment from God for their sins. They were struck speechless.
This initial reaction of the brothers is prophetic. They were dismayed, fearful and terrified when they realized who Zaphenath-Peneah actually was. The prophet Zechariah, chapter 2, verse 10 states, “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” The Jewish people will react this way when they realize who Jesus actually is. They will one day come to see who Jesus truly is and they will weep in despair, they will be terrified and they will regret the unbelief. That day is coming. I believe that it is coming sooner that we expect.
I can’t imagine what all went through their minds. I have a brother that I haven’t seen in years. There is no bad blood between us but we still haven’t seen each other for ages. He lives in another state and has chosen to be separate from most of the rest of us. He keeps contact with a cousin or two, but I haven’t seen him in a very long time. I know that if, by some stroke of God’s guidance, I would come face to face with him, I would know who he was. And I would open my arms in love and acceptance of him, just as he is. I would weep for joy just to see him and to be able to hug him. He is precious to me, and I miss him dearly. I love him regardless of what he has done in his life. I understand Joseph’s love for his brothers, regardless of what they had done to him.
Joseph put aside his regal demeanor and met them as a long-lost brother. He met them with love and reconciliation in his heart. “I am Joseph, your brother.” Such a simple statement and yet so full of love, forgiveness and reconciliation. He did not tear a strip off them for selling him as a slave. He did not call for soldiers to beat and torture them. He did not sell them as slaves in revenge. No, he loved them. He told them that what they had meant for evil, God used for good. He asked them to come closer to him. Apparently, they had stepped back a bit when he made that announcement. They were afraid. He coaxed them closer. He began to explain all that had happened to him over the years.
He stressed that God had sent him ahead to prepare a way for them in the time of famine. To preserve the remnant of God’s people, the family of Israel. To save their lives during the famine. He didn’t gloss over the fact they had sold him as a slave but he did use that fact to show the working of God in all of their lives. He encouraged them to forgive themselves because he had forgiven them long ago. Three times Joseph pointed out that God had sent him to Egypt, using their actions to accomplish it. He was to preserve life, to preserve a posterity for you in the earth and to save their lives by a great deliverance. (Genesis 45:5-7) Again he told them that God had sent him ahead, not them. God used their actions to bring this about.
Joseph was anxious that they go back to Canaan and bring their father, Jacob, to Egypt. He told them he would settle them in Goshen where they could live and prosper. They would be near him and there they could take care of their flocks and herds. He gave them a message for their father that would prove that Joseph was alive and well. He told them to tell Jacob of the honor that he had in Egypt and all that they had seen in Joseph’s house. Then he kissed and wept over Benjamin and then his brothers. Finally the brothers, all twelve of them now, sat and talked. I would have loved to have been a fly on that wall. To hear what they share and talked about. To see the love, forgiveness and reconciliation that flowed in that room.
Of course, Pharoah heard all about the reunion and was pleased that his brothers had come. I imagine that Joseph had spoken of them to Pharoah. I can’t imagine that Joseph would not have spoken of his family and his father since it appears that he was close to Pharoah, as friend and advisor. He told Joseph to send his brothers back to Canaan and bring the whole tribe to Egypt. That he would give them the best of the land of Egypt. He even sent carts for the women and children. He told them to get their father and come to Egypt. One statement that I find amazing is Genesis 45:20 “Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.” The Israelites were not always slaves in Egypt. They came as welcome guests. They were treated as honored guests and showered with goods.
Joseph gave them all new clothes. Benjamin received more clothes than the rest as well as 300 shekels of silver. He sent donkeys weighed down with the best that Egypt had to offer as well as grain, bread and other provisions for the journey back. Once the caravan was loaded and ready to go, Joseph sent them on their way. I can seen him standing watching them head out and then calling to them “Don’t quarrel on the way!” (Genesis 45:24) I have to wonder why. One of the commentaries I read said that he was reminding them not to point fingers at each other about what they had done to Joseph. Don’t find fault with each other. He knew their personalities and figured that they might just fall back into their old ways. So, he cautioned them to watch out for those temptations.
So they get back to Jacob. Imagine his joy at seeing that Benjamin had returned. When they told him that they had lied and that Joseph lived, he did not believe them. They told him all that Joseph had told them to say. Then he inspected the carts that Joseph has sent and was finally convinced. Jacob’s depression and despair changed to faith. Jacob’s ‘everything is against me’ changed to Israel’s “I’m convinced”. (Genesis 45:28) One translation puts it this way, “It is enough,” Note that it wasn’t Jacob who said that. The Bible says that is was Israel who said it. Jacob was a whiner, complainer and lacked faith regardless of what God did in his life. Israel, however, believed in Joseph just as we should believe in Jesus.
I see Jesus all over this chapter. Jesus revealing Himself to us with love and forgiveness. Jesus calling out to his disciples, “It is I, don’t be afraid.” Telling Paul “I am Jesus.” Jesus drawing us to Him, telling us to come closer. Jesus taking us in His arms with love and forgiveness. Jesus encouraging us to forgive ourselves because He has already forgiven us. Jesus telling us that He has a place prepared for us. A better place. No need to bring anything with us because all we need will be provided.
Do you believe?
Father God, Thank You for Your grace and mercy. Thank You for your forgiveness. Help us to learn to forgive ourselves. Show us where You’ve brought us from and guide us to where we are going. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Food for Thought
- Why do you think the brothers were so afraid when Joseph revealed his identity?
- Is there someone in your life that you need to forgive? What are you going to do about it?
- Do you believe that God is working for your good even when things are going so badly? Why or why not?
- What do you see in Pharoah’s reaction to the news that Joseph’s brothers arrived?
- What would you do if someone who had hurt you badly came to you asking for forgiveness?
