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Genesis 45:5
Verse
Context
Joseph Reveals His Identity
4Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt!5And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you.6For the famine has covered the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting.
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves - This discovers a truly noble mind: he not only forgives and forgets, but he wishes even those who had wronged him to forget the injury they had done, that they might not suffer distress on the account; and with deep piety he attributes the whole to the providence of God; for, says he, God did send me before you to preserve life. On every word here a strong emphasis may be laid. It is not you, but God; it is not you that sold me, but God who sent me; Egypt and Canaan must both have perished, had not a merciful provision been made; you were to come down hither, and God sent me before you; death must have been the consequence of this famine, had not God sent me here to preserve life.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Now therefore be not grieved,.... To an excess, so as to be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow; otherwise it became them to be grieved for their sin, and to show a godly sorrow and true repentance for it: nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; reflect upon themselves, and afflict themselves in an immoderate way; or break forth into anger and wrath with one another, upbraiding and blaming each other for their conduct in that affair, and so foment contentions and quarrels among themselves: for God did send me before you to preserve life; the life of thousands of persons in Egypt, Canaan, and other countries; and particularly to preserve their lives was he sent before them into Egypt; where, by interpretation Pharaoh's dreams, by which he understood and did foretell the seven years of plenty and seven years of famine, he was to great honour and trust, and laid up a sufficiency of corn in the time of plenty to answer the exigencies of various countries in the time of famine, and, among the rest, of his own family; and therefore would have this attributed by them to the wise disposing providence of God.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
45:5-8 God . . . sent me is the central message of the account of Jacob’s family (37:2). As the Lord had told Abraham, he was leading the Israelites into Egypt (15:13). God had sent Joseph to Egypt to prepare for his family’s rescue during the famine. In what has become a classic statement of God’s sovereignty, Joseph explained that God had been working through all of the circumstances and human acts to bring about his plan. The certainty of God’s will is the basis for forgiveness and reconciliation with those who do wrong, cause hurt, or bring harm. If people do not believe that God is sovereign, then they will blame others and retaliate. Those who are spiritual will trust that God is at work even through human wickedness (see also Rom 8:28-30).
Genesis 45:5
Joseph Reveals His Identity
4Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt!5And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you.6For the famine has covered the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Power of True Religion: Power Through Us
By J. Glyn Owen2.9K50:15True ReligionGEN 45:5MAT 6:33MRK 3:13JHN 4:14JHN 7:37JHN 14:16ACT 1:8In this sermon, the preacher reflects on a story he heard about a little girl in the hospital who was given a glass of cold milk and told it would do her good. He then delves into the topic of religion and the division between the external form and the internal spirit of true religion. He emphasizes that the gospel itself has an inherent capacity to succeed and bring victory. The preacher acknowledges his own feeble efforts in preaching the gospel but reminds himself and the listeners that it is ultimately God who gives the gospel its power and momentum.
God's School of Faith
By Jim Cymbala2.2K37:14FaithGEN 45:5JOS 24:1PSA 23:3JER 37:15MAT 6:33JHN 1:11ACT 14:22In this sermon, the speaker focuses on a sentence from the book of Joshua that states, "His thoughts are not our thoughts." The speaker suggests that this sentence holds the key to understanding the challenges and experiences we face in life. They explain that Joshua is recalling the history of the chosen people of God and how they had to trust in God's plan even in difficult times. The speaker emphasizes the importance of developing faith through adversity and warns against losing faith when faced with challenges.
Attitudes on Bitterness
By Jim Logan2.1K1:25:47BitternessGEN 45:5GEN 45:7MAT 6:33HEB 12:15In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Joseph from the book of Genesis. Joseph experienced many disappointments and heartaches, including being sold into slavery by his own brothers. However, he did not become bitter because he saw God in control of his life. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing that even when people betray us or things go wrong, God is still in control and can use those situations for our good. The sermon also highlights the biblical principle of responding to our enemies with kindness and meeting their basic needs, as this can lead to transformation in their lives.
(Through the Bible) Exodus 1-5
By Chuck Smith1.8K1:23:21ExpositionalGEN 50:26EXO 2:15EXO 4:1EXO 4:10In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God is not just a passive observer of our struggles and suffering. He takes action to deliver His people from their hardships. The preacher also highlights the importance of not getting too attached to material possessions, as they can easily be taken away. Instead, our focus should be on the things of the Spirit and God's eternal kingdom. The sermon references the story of Moses and the Israelites in Egypt, where they faced oppression and hardship, but ultimately God delivered them.
(Genesis) Genesis 39:11-40:23
By Joe Focht1.2K53:06GenesisGEN 39:20GEN 40:13GEN 40:23GEN 45:5PSA 105:16ACT 23:11In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the sorrows and challenges of life, particularly for boys who bring sorrow to their mothers. However, the speaker believes that there is another world beyond this one, where one can experience joy and fulfillment. The speaker relates this belief to the story of Joseph from the Bible, who went through trials and ended up becoming a ruler. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being prisoners of Christ and His grace, rather than prisoners of the world and its emptiness.
God's Unexpected Ways
By Michael Catt98740:25Plan Of GodGEN 45:5GEN 45:7EXO 20:12PSA 119:105MAT 6:33ROM 8:28JAS 1:2In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that God often works in unexpected ways. He gives examples from the Bible, such as Moses being sent into the wilderness for 40 years before being used by God, and Joshua being instructed to walk around a walled city instead of scaling the walls. The speaker also shares a personal experience of a tragic event that made him realize the need to surrender to God's plan. He concludes by expressing a desire for a deeper spiritual experience and a greater purpose in life.
God Is in Control
By Billy Strachan89647:49SovereigntyGod's SovereigntyTrust in God's PlanGEN 45:5PRO 3:5ROM 8:28JAS 1:5Billy Strachan emphasizes that God is in control of our lives, even amidst trials and unforeseen difficulties. He encourages believers to seek wisdom in faith during tough times, reminding them that many challenges are actually God's way of directing their paths for His purpose. Using the story of Joseph, Strachan illustrates how God can turn what seems like misfortune into a blessing, urging listeners to trust in God's plan and timing. He warns against double-mindedness, encouraging a steadfast faith that accepts God's will, even when circumstances appear adverse. Ultimately, Strachan reassures that God uses every situation for our growth and His glory.
(Through the Bible) Genesis - Part 3
By Zac Poonen43656:31GEN 24:7GEN 25:21GEN 27:28GEN 32:26GEN 39:7GEN 45:5GEN 46:29GEN 47:9GEN 50:26This sermon delves into the lives of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph as portrayed in Genesis, highlighting themes of arranged marriages by God, fatherly concerns for children's marriages, the importance of seeking God's guidance in relationships, the sovereignty of God in fulfilling His plans despite human jealousy and evil intentions, the need to flee from temptation, and the significance of storing up spiritual riches in times of plenty to sustain us in times of famine. It emphasizes the faithfulness of Joseph in the face of trials, the importance of respecting parents, and the redemptive work of God even in the midst of human failures and betrayals.
Our Daily Homily - Genesis Part 2
By F.B. Meyer0Divine ProvidenceFaith in AdversityGEN 39:9GEN 40:7GEN 41:16GEN 42:30GEN 43:21GEN 44:28GEN 45:5GEN 46:3GEN 47:25GEN 50:20F.B. Meyer emphasizes the resilience and faith of Joseph in the face of adversity, contrasting his virtuous choices with the failures of his brothers. He highlights how God uses trials to strengthen character and how Joseph's unwavering faith and willingness to serve others, even in prison, exemplify true strength. Meyer encourages believers to trust in God's providence, asserting that even harsh circumstances can lead to divine purposes. He concludes with the assurance that God orchestrates events for good, urging listeners to maintain faith amid life's challenges.
More Pioneers of the Heavenly Way
By T. Austin-Sparks0Divine SovereigntyPioneering FaithGEN 45:5GEN 45:7ISA 53:3MAT 2:16JHN 1:11ROM 8:282CO 4:17PHP 3:10HEB 12:2REV 3:21T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes Joseph as a pioneer of the heavenly way, illustrating how his life foreshadows Jesus Christ and God's ultimate purpose of preserving life. He discusses the dual nature of Joseph's story, highlighting both the human struggles and the divine sovereignty at play, particularly in how Joseph's experiences reflect the suffering and rejection faced by Christ. Sparks points out that Joseph's journey was marked by adversity, jealousy, and a deeper spiritual battle, which parallels the challenges faced by those called to fulfill God's purposes. Ultimately, he underscores that God's intentions prevail despite human actions and satanic opposition, affirming that the trials of a pioneer lead to the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves - This discovers a truly noble mind: he not only forgives and forgets, but he wishes even those who had wronged him to forget the injury they had done, that they might not suffer distress on the account; and with deep piety he attributes the whole to the providence of God; for, says he, God did send me before you to preserve life. On every word here a strong emphasis may be laid. It is not you, but God; it is not you that sold me, but God who sent me; Egypt and Canaan must both have perished, had not a merciful provision been made; you were to come down hither, and God sent me before you; death must have been the consequence of this famine, had not God sent me here to preserve life.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Now therefore be not grieved,.... To an excess, so as to be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow; otherwise it became them to be grieved for their sin, and to show a godly sorrow and true repentance for it: nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; reflect upon themselves, and afflict themselves in an immoderate way; or break forth into anger and wrath with one another, upbraiding and blaming each other for their conduct in that affair, and so foment contentions and quarrels among themselves: for God did send me before you to preserve life; the life of thousands of persons in Egypt, Canaan, and other countries; and particularly to preserve their lives was he sent before them into Egypt; where, by interpretation Pharaoh's dreams, by which he understood and did foretell the seven years of plenty and seven years of famine, he was to great honour and trust, and laid up a sufficiency of corn in the time of plenty to answer the exigencies of various countries in the time of famine, and, among the rest, of his own family; and therefore would have this attributed by them to the wise disposing providence of God.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
45:5-8 God . . . sent me is the central message of the account of Jacob’s family (37:2). As the Lord had told Abraham, he was leading the Israelites into Egypt (15:13). God had sent Joseph to Egypt to prepare for his family’s rescue during the famine. In what has become a classic statement of God’s sovereignty, Joseph explained that God had been working through all of the circumstances and human acts to bring about his plan. The certainty of God’s will is the basis for forgiveness and reconciliation with those who do wrong, cause hurt, or bring harm. If people do not believe that God is sovereign, then they will blame others and retaliate. Those who are spiritual will trust that God is at work even through human wickedness (see also Rom 8:28-30).