Joseph Revealed
Gen 45:1 Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.
It is time at last to make himself known to his brothers. Judah's plea on Benjamin's behalf has touched Joseph's heart, he sends everyone away . He is alone with his brothers.
Gen 45:2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.
Years of anguish and separation now come out of the mouth of Joseph as a roar. Tears stream down his face, The Egyptians in the other room are startled, and ready to respond if their ruler should indicate the need. I can imagine the fear in the hearts of the Hebrew brothers. Now what have we done? Another cup missing?
Gen 45:3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.
At last the truth is known! They were as dead men, as if truly in the presence of their judge. Imagine in their minds how Satan would be hurling accusations at them, fear, shame, despair. Does not Satan do this to us? The brothers sins were uncovered and open to the will of the brother. But we are safe in the hands of our Lord and saviour Jesus. Who can accuse those who God has justified?
Gen 45:4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.
Did you not here me? I am Joseph. Still silence.
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Gen 45:5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Welcome words of grace. How a hurting world needs the grace of Jesus. Joseph says to them, be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves. It was Gods plan for this. God turns the evil intents of man around to be used for his glory. Were we not lost in our sins and shame when Jesus saved us? Now we are for his purposes, loving him and reaching out to other hurting hearts.
Gen 45:6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.
Gen 45:7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
In the larger picture Joseph was sent to Egypt in Gods plans to preserve his covenant promised people. The people in which the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ would come.
Gen 45:8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
Faithful obedient Joseph sold as a slave by his own brothers hung on to God and now was as a father to the King of Egypt. God had exalted him to the highest position as savior of all the people. Is this not an Old Testament view of the coming Jesus? Jesus the faithful beloved son of the father who was humbled and yet was obedient unto the cross. And the father had made him the means of salvation for all peoples. He is lifted up above all principalities and powers. ( Phil 2:6-11)
Gen 45:9 Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:
Gen 45:10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:
Gen 45:11 And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.
Gen 45:12 And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.
Gen 45:13 And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.
Joseph reveals the blessings of God for his family. They would go to the land of Goshen, Egypts most fertile land and there to dwell in peace. Already we have seen that the Egyptians have nothing to do in intermixing with foreigners. So the lineage of the Saviour would be intact. God watches out for his own. We are in Gods hands. Praise him for this.
Gen 45:14 And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.
Gen 45:15 Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.
A place will be prepared for them in his kingdom. When one you love sheds tears they are shared by all who love you. Benjamin alone cries with his dear brother. Benjamin had no part in the deception, and yet Joseph loves the sinning brothers as well. They are relieved and probably amazed at the brother’s grace. Isn't that what Gods grace is like?
Amazing grace that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see. Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved! How precious did the grace appear the hour I first believed. (Amazing grace - John Newton)
Great Blessings
Joseph had reconciled himself to his brothers, now he is sharing his family with his friends in Egypt. No longer are there secrets and hidden shame and lies. Once received they are received of all. Like when we receive Jesus, we receive a family with it, Gods family and all our sins are removed. The Egyptians were friends of Joseph, but they were not really God's family.
Gen 45:16 And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.
Joseph had blessed Pharaoh and he had a good reputation. Because of his relationship to the King his family was welcomed. As a Christian we are blessed of King Jesus and through us all our family may be saved as well.
Gen 45:17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;
Gen 45:18 And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.
Gen 45:19 Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.
Gen 45:20 Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.
Gen 45:21 And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.
The King had richly blessed Joseph's family; all their needs were to be met. All the fears of hunger or lack of safety were removed. Salvation had come to the Family of Israel through the castaway son Joseph. Because Joseph had saved Egypt, The King of Egypt would save Joseph and his family.
Gen 45:22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.
Benjamin again as the closest brother is favored.
Gen 45:23 And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.
The aged father who had suffered loss at Joseph's disappearance now will receive an abundance of provisions. This would bring him security in his old age. But what would be the greatest gift? Would it not be seeing Joseph who he had thought was dead alive again?
Gen 45:24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.
Could the brothers be trusted to deliver the blessings? Would they divide or argue over the ownership of the provisions? Would they get lost?
We have been given much with the gift of receiving a new life in Christ Jesus. Will we deliver to others the blessings of the gospel message? Will we stay true and not have divided hearts? Will we be covetous of the worlds things and lose sight of who we are in Jesus? NO, we will be faithful, but what of the brothers? This is grace once again. We receive Grace by a relationship; with them it was through Joseph, with us it is through Jesus. Praise God.
Into Egypt
Gen 45:25 And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,
Gen 45:26 And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.
Joseph is alive! That was a miracle, but being the governor over all the land of Egypt? Perhaps he was thinking,” They mock me and my hopes". "What have they been drinking?" Wait, is this not similar to the news that Jesus who was dead, now has risen? And he is King of Kings! Who has believed our report? (John 12:38)
Gen 45:27 And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:
The evidence is in the many blessings brought to him, animals, and carts; food and provisions. The evidence supported the words that Joseph was indeed alive and the Lord of Egypt.
Jesus proved he was Lord by his evidence.
John 10:37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
John 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
Gen 45:28 And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.
Israel's faith was made strong by the evidence. Israel, "God prevails", not Jacob the schemer. There is enough evidence. Our own faith is made strong by the evidence of Gods word.
Genesis 46
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