Genesis 45
BBCGenesis 45:1
- Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers (Chap. 45)45:1-8 In one of the most moving scenes in all the Bible, Joseph ordered his staff to go out of the room while, with an enormous emotional release, he revealed his identity to his brothers. He told them not to grieve for the way they had treated him, because God had overruled it for good. 45:9-15 They were to bring their father, their households, and their possessions to Goshen in Egypt for the remaining five years of famine. “Tell my father of all my glory in Egypt"a command we too can obey when we rehearse before God the glories of His beloved Son. The fountains of the great deep were broken up as Joseph embraced Benjamin and then kissed all his brothers. This is a happy preview of the joy that awaits the people of Israel when the Christ of Calvary appears to them and reveals Himself as their Messiah-King. 45:16-24 When Pharaoh heard what was going on, he told Joseph’s brothers to bring their father and families from Canaan, but not to bother bringing their heavy furniture and goods because he would provide everything they needed. So they went back to Canaan with wagons provided by Pharaoh, and with beautiful garments, animals, and provisions from Joseph. Benjamin got a gift of money and a special wardrobe. Fearing that his brothers might accuse each other for their guilt in mistreating him years earlier, Joseph warned them not to quarrel on their homeward journey. 45:25-28 On reaching home, they broke the news to Jacob. At first it was too much for him. But when he heard the full story and saw the loaded carts, he knew it was trueJoseph was still alive and they would meet again! Joseph mentions his father five times in this chapter. This reveals his Christlikeness in addition to the free forgiveness he extended to his brothers. It was our Lord’s love for His Father and His desire to do the Father’s will that brought Him into the world to redeem fallen man. Joseph’s love for Jacob is but a faint shadow of that love.