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. Judahs plea on Benjamins behalf has touched Josephs 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.
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.
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 saviour of all the people. Is this not an Old Testiment 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.
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 releived and probably amazed at the brothers 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 not really Gods 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.
Pharaoh had been blessed by Joseph, he had a good name. 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 them because of their relationship to Joseph. 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 Josephs 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 covetuous of the worlds things and lose sight of who we are in Jesus? NO , we will be faithful, but what of the brothers? Irregardless of anyones behaviour the King blesses. 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, 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.
Jacobs faith was made strong by the evidence. Our faith is made strong by the evidence of Gods word.
Gen 46:1 And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.
The Most high God. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel). In whom covenant promises were made, including the promise of a great nation.
Gen 46:2 And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.
Yes God does speak at times, in visions and in dreams and at times in a voice that you can hear.
Gen 46:3 And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
Gen 46:4 I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.
The covenant of a great nation and Gods plan for them to go into Egypt was revealed. Also, that the aged father would die there and Joseph would close his fathers eyes.
Gen 46:5 And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.
Gen 46:6 And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:
Gen 46:7 His sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.
Gen 46:8 And these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.
Gen 46:9 And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.
Gen 46:10 And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman.
Gen 46:11 And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
Gen 46:12 And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zarah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.
Gen 46:13 And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron.
Gen 46:14 And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel.
Gen 46:15 These be the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padanaram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters were thirty and three.
Gen 46:16 And the sons of Gad; Ziphion, and Haggi, Shuni, and Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli.
Gen 46:17 And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel.
Gen 46:18 These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bare unto Jacob, even sixteen souls.
Gen 46:19 The sons of Rachel Jacob's wife; Joseph, and Benjamin.
Gen 46:20 And unto Joseph in the land of Egypt were born Manasseh and Ephraim, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.
Gen 46:21 And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.
Gen 46:22 These are the sons of Rachel, which were born to Jacob: all the souls were fourteen.
Gen 46:23 And the sons of Dan; Hushim.
Gen 46:24 And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem.
Gen 46:25 These are the sons of Bilhah, which Laban gave unto Rachel his daughter, and she bare these unto Jacob: all the souls were seven.
They brought all they owned both from Canaan and the gifts from Egypt. They would settle in the land of Goshen.There they would dwell in peace, for a time, and the nation of Israel would flourish. Gods loving care had brought them into a beautiful land, but this is not the land promised to them in the Abrahamic covenant.
The Abrahamic Covenant promise
Gen 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: [from Northern Egypt to Syria]
Gen 15:19 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,
Gen 15:20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,
Gen 15:21 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.
This promise has not yet been fulfilled completely.Someday it will be fulfilled. When they speak of peace in Israel today by giving up land, it must be remembered God has promised them this land. Gods word will be fulfilled. Thank you Lord for your word and providing for our lives. Will Pharaoh change his mind?
Not Shepherds
There was no way that Egypt would have invited the families of Israel into Egypts fertile land apart from Joseph. Joseph had an excellent spirit and was greatly favored by the King of Egypt and that favor covered all of his family in blessings.
Gen 46:26 All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were threescore and six;
Gen 46:27 And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.
Only seventy people of the house of Jacob entered Egypt. When they would come out four hundred years later there would be over three million people.
Gen 46:28 And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.
Send Judah first is a song title. Judah was the tribe that Messiah Jesus would come from. Legally Mary came through the tribe of Judah, but Jesus always existed in heaven. Being born a man from the virgin Mary , God is his father.
Gen 46:29 And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.
Gen 46:30 And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.
At last the joyful reunion. Is it not beautiful? I think of people separated, perhaps they write but when together it is such a joyful reunion. When my daughter was on a mission trip it was such a relief to see her come home. I feel this way for all my children who are away from my home and protection. When they are reunited it is such joy.
Gen 46:31 And Joseph said unto his brethren, and unto his father's house, I will go up, and show Pharaoh, and say unto him, My brethren, and my father's house, which were in the land of Canaan, are come unto me;
Joseph loved his family but Egypt is not so accepting of all that they are. Joseph must caution them.
Gen 46:32 And the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.
Gen 46:33 And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation?
Gen 46:34 That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
Every shepherd is an abomination, be careful to not claim that title. Remember also that the Egyptians are racists, they consider themselves as gods and the foreigners as abominations. So Israel in the natural had two strikes against them. What would happen when Joseph died or the Pharaoh? Sounds like trouble could come in the future. Are we as Christians not like Israel? Once we were sinners, we should not claim that title, we are chosen saints in Christ Jesus. Gods people are in the world (Egypt) but not of it. We must stay close to Jesus, who unlike Joseph will not die, but lives forever interceeding for us. Thank You Jesus.
Jacob Blesses Pharaoh
1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Gen 47:1 Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, and said, My father and my brethren, and their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have, are come out of the land of Canaan; and, behold, they are in the land of Goshen.
Gen 47:2 And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh.
Gen 47:3 And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers.
Wait! Did not Joseph warn his family to not mention that they were shepherds? Now what would happen to them for telling the truth?
Gen 47:4 They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.
Truth at any cost? Are the brothers through with lies and deceit? Be sure a lie will be found out and scriptures say that a liar is of the devil. (John 8:44)
Gen 47:5 And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee:
Gen 47:6 The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.
Once again because of Joseph, his family could do no wrong. They were blest and those who were active and ambitious even were given an opportunity to take care of Pharaohs cattle.
Gen 47:7 And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
There is a principle in the Bible that he who blesses is greater than he who is blessed. (Hebrews 6:20-7:4) Here Jacob representing the most high God blessed the supreme ruler of Egypt. Apparently Pharaoh realized that he was more than a lowly shepherd.
Abraham had been blessed by a priest of the most high God.
Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem (would become Jerusalem) brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
Gen 14:19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
Abraham had earlier been blessed by this unknown Priest, a type of Christ, no beginning and no end known of him. Jacob as representative of the most high God blessed Pharaoh. Egypt worshipped many false gods. Did this Pharaoh believe in our God?
Gen 47:8 And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?
Gen 47:9 And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.
A long life but filled with evil, remembering Joseph's being taken from him, and his beloved Rachel. He was on a pilgrimage with his final destination being heaven.
Gen 47:10 And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.
Gen 47:11 And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
Gen 47:12 And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's household, with bread, according to their families.
Joseph took care of his family. Bread was only found in Egypt because Joseph wisely stored up a surplus in time of plenty. Joseph was ruler over the food supply, all would bow to him. In the spiritual sense, are we storing up Gods promises in times of plenty? The troubles will come and we will need to rely on his promises.
John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
Gary
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