Genesis 45:1-28

Genesis 45 reveals the incredible reconciliation that unfolds between Joseph and his brothers. This is truly a powerful exploration and example of reconciliation to others who have been estranged. In the last chapter, Judah had offered himself as a slave so that his brother Benjamin could go free. This was the moment that Joseph realized that his brothers, and especially Judah who had sold him into slavery, had actually changed. This story now turns to the pivotal moment where Joseph revealed himself to his brothers.

“Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, ‘Make everyone go out from me!’ So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph; does my father still live?’ But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. And Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Please come near to me.’ So they came near. Then he said: ‘I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, “Thus says your son Joseph: God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry. You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children’s children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine. And behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my mouth that speaks to you. So you shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen; and you shall hurry and bring my father down here.” Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with him” (Gen. 45:1-15).

Joseph wept.

At the very moment that Joseph heard Judah offer himself up to be his slave, and take Benjamin’s place, he could no longer restrain his emotions. He ordered everyone else out of the room, and then Joseph broke down and wept aloud. What a confusing moment this must have been for Joseph’s brothers who stood and watched this display of emotion, but what a relief this was for Joseph. The tears began to flow from Joseph as he explained to them that he was their brother whom they had sold into slavery so long ago.

Have you ever had a moment like this when your emotions find their way out of you? I have had many moments like this in my life. I have experienced this kind of emotion at the death of my mother, and at the memorial service for a friend, also at the birth of a long-desired child and grand-child, and at the announcement that that my wife was cancer free. These are all very emotional moments in life, and the tears will definitely flow, and they should! Now, if you say, “I don’t ever cry, that is just not manly, or I don’t want to show my emotions to anyone,” then, I feel sorry for you, because tears of joy or sadness are a natural human response, and not a sign of weakness. Tears are a part of being human. God has created us with emotions and the ability to cry for a reason. There is only one time in life when there will be no more tears, and that will be when God ushers in a new heaven and a new earth, as Scripture declares, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4). You must always remember that Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus, and also before entering the city of Jerusalem, which revealed the best example for us that emotions are good, and the Son of Man had no problem with them (John 11:35; Luke 19:41).

But it is also important to understand that even though Joseph did not try and hide his emotions, he wasn’t emotionally out of control. That is an important distinction to make. It is vital in balancing this truth with the Scripture that teaches us that the fruit of the Spirit will enable self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). Scripture is clear that you should never lose control of your emotions, because the Holy Spirit’s job is to enable you to stay in control of them. The best proof of this truth is the fact that even though Joseph had a tremendous emotional response toward his brothers, he exercised enough self-control that he could send everyone out of the room before he wept. This clearly showed that he was not emotionally out of control. So, make sure you see the balance of this concept concerning your emotions.

Dismayed, but assured.

Now, when Joseph revealed himself to his brothers they were completely dismayed and terrified, and rightly so! They knew exactly what they had done to Joseph. Imagine the shock and questions that must have raced through their minds at that moment. I would bet that they all experienced an instant replay of their actions, remembering every word that was spoken over 20 years before. They probably thought, We are done for; He is going to kill us. But instead, something remarkable happened. Joseph reassured them that God had a greater plan than the evil they intended. He declared, “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Gen. 45:4-5).

God’s greater plan.

For Joseph to say these words to them revealed that he had already worked through this issue in his mind long before this moment. Joseph had processed in his thinking all the harsh realities that had come to him, in contrast to the position he was in at that time. I am assured in my mind, that some of you reading these words also need to process some of the difficult things that have happened to you in your life. Maybe you have already worked through these difficult times, but if not, there’s an invitation from God for you. That invitation is in Isaiah 1:18, where God called out to His people “Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord.”

Therefore, have you allowed the Lord to reason with you from His Word concerning your life’s greatest trials, and have you seen His sovereign hand working out His eternal purposes? It is often difficult to understand why bad things happen to us, but Joseph’s story teaches us that God’s sovereignty is at work, even in the face of great evil and hardship. Joseph also had over 20 years to process all of what had happened to him, and in the end, he realized that God had used even the evil intended against him for a greater purpose. How did he come to this conclusion? He didn’t have the Word of God to refer to that would have been able to give him this understanding. So, God must have just reasoned with him in his mind. Yet today, we do have God’s Word to help us reason through these issues.

Here are some truths that will help you to process these struggles in your own life.

First, the Bible teaches us that all of the evil that takes place in this world is because we live in a fallen world that is in rebellion against God. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the forbidden fruit, He told them that they would spiritually die, and one day physically die (Gen. 2:16-17). He told them that the entire world would then live under this curse of death, sorrow, and pain (Gen. 3:16-19). Because of this curse, all evil in this world comes forth, as men live selfishly with carnal values, they will obviously hurt and injure other people in their path to get what they want. This is a fundamental concept that you must believe.

Second, if there is anyone to blame for the evil and tragedies in this world, it is Satan himself. He is called the deceiver of the whole world (Rev. 12:9). He is the one who Jesus said has come to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). But, thank God that Jesus also said that He had come to give us life and that more abundantly (John 10:10). Satan is the one who deceived Adam and Eve in the beginning, and he is the one who continues to deceive all mankind into thinking what he has to offer will somehow satisfy the emptiness of their souls. Scripture teaches that the whole world lies under the sway and control of the devil (1 John 5:19). Satan then is the one who controls evil men that do the evil things that destroy other people’s lives. So, put the blame where it is deserved!

Third, God’s sovereign will and plan will always be accomplished, whether with me or without me. His sovereignty will always prevail in the end. If God does not have sovereign control over His own will, then He’s not truly God. However, He proclaims over 2000 times in Scripture, in many different ways, “I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me” (Is. 45:5). The problem is always trying to understand how God works out His sovereign plans when human choices are involved. That’s where the challenge comes in our thinking, because we don’t always see His hand immediately. Joseph surely didn’t see God’s plan when he was first sold into slavery, or when he was wrongfully imprisoned in Egypt. But over time, he came to see God’s hand at work. This is where your trusting God is essential. He has proven His love for you once and for all, by the fact that He gave His Son to die for your sins. Only someone who loves you very much would ever do such a thing.

Fourth, knowing all these previous truths is why you can be assured as a believer, that God takes all things and works them together for your good. This is a truth that Paul came to understand in his own life, when he wrote to the Roman church, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Joseph clearly saw this truth working everything together in his life to save his entire family.

Fifth, it is essential that you come to realize, that you will never be able to fully understand every reason for every heartache and sinful thing done to you. God explained to Isaiah, “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts’” (Is. 55:8-9). God also told the Prophet Habakkuk, “For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you” (Hab. 1:5). In other words, even if God did explain every detail and reason for the evil done to us, we still wouldn’t be able to comprehend what He was doing. Why? Because He has infinite understanding, and we have only finite comprehension (Ps. 147:5). Our three and a half pounds of grey matter within our sculls can never comprehend His infinite ways. This is why we must again trust the one who has proven His love for us. Therefore, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil” (Prov. 3:5-7). This is the simplicity of our responsibility before God. We must trust that God is sovereign, fulfill our responsibility to surrender our will to His, and depart from evil in our own lives. As we do these things, we can be confident that His sovereign will and plan will unfold in our lives.

Joseph’s forgiveness and grace

The story of Joseph is one of the most profound examples of forgiveness that can be found in Scripture. It is important to note that Joseph forgave, and chose to love them, even though his brothers did not ask for his forgiveness. The text declared, “But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence” Gen. 45:3). His brothers did finally ask for his forgiveness, but only after their father Jacob died over 17 years later (Gen. 50:17). This may be where we get our saying, “Better late than never.” My point is that Joseph chose to forgive them from his heart, without expecting anything in return. His actions reveal the depth of the grace and mercy that captivated his heart.

This example of grace and mercy is clearly echoed in the teaching of Jesus on the topic of forgiveness. There are two aspects of forgiveness. One is the choice you make in your heart to forgive, and the other is when the person who has offended you chooses to come and ask for your forgiveness. Let me explain these two truths.

The first part of forgiveness is something that Jesus taught His disciples was not an option, but a command for them, and I believe for all of us too. This choice to forgive is independent from any admission of guilt, or a request by the offender for you to forgive them. Jesus explained this concept in Matthew 18:21-35 where it is recorded, “Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, “Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.” Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, “Pay me what you owe!” So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.” And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?” And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” The point of this teaching is found in this last sentence when Jesus said that this man’s forgiveness must be “from his heart.” This is a choice each of us must make to decide to obey God’s command to forgive. We do this because we remember how much God has forgiven each of us! I have found personally that when I struggle to forgive someone for what they have done to me, all I need to do is ask God to open my eyes to what He has forgiven me for. It works every time!

The second aspect of forgiveness is when the one who has offended you comes to ask for your forgiveness, and now you can easily grant them forgiveness, because you have already chosen to do so from your heart. This is what makes you ready to forgive when that person comes to you asking for your forgiveness. This is how God treats each of us, and why David wrote of God that, “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” (Ps. 86:5). Thank God that He is so ready to forgive us! Jesus also taught, “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4). If you think to yourself that forgiving seven times in a day to the same person would be very difficult to do, you would be in agreement with the majority of people today. But it is very possible to do, if you have been faithful to God’s command by already forgiving that person from your heart. Joseph obeyed both of these aspects of forgiveness. He forgave them before he decided to reveal himself to them. He forgave even though they hadn’t asked for his forgiveness for 17 years, but he still chose to grant it.

The grace of God.

Joseph’s generous heart in offering forgiveness and blessings to his brothers is a powerful picture of God’s grace to every one of us. In fact, Jesus taught that this was the Father’s heart toward all mankind. Jesus said of the Father, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17). God could have condemned us all, even as Joseph could have disowned his family and let them starve, but He didn’t. Why? Because of His great love and mercy toward us all. Jesus also said in Luke 12:32, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Because Joseph was ready and willing to forgive, he wanted to bless his brothers and all his extended family with the riches of what had been stored in Egypt. Paul also describes God’s grace that he had received in 1 Timothy 1:14 as being “Exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” God’s grace toward us is beyond measure, overflowing, and incomprehensible. This same overflowing grace was exemplified in Joseph’s words and actions toward his brothers.

Teaching your children the importance of forgiveness.

If you have children, teach them the importance of both admitting wrongs, and seeking forgiveness. When your child confesses their faults to you, help them understand specifically what they did wrong, and guide them in asking for forgiveness. Don’t let them off the hook when they make a blanket statement, “I apologize,” or “I’m sorry for what I did,” without being specific about what they actually did. When I have heard these blanket requests for forgiveness, I usually ask them, “But, exactly what are you apologizing for? Can you be specific?” These are important questions for them to answer so they can reason through what they have actually done that was offensive. Ask them to be specific about what they did, and then encourage them to actually ask for your forgiveness over that specific issue. Being specific about what they did, helps them to be honest and fully humble themselves, which is an important part of repentance (James 4:6; 10). In addition, under the old covenant, God required people to confess their sin relating to a specific thing. Moses wrote, “And it shall be, when he is guilty in any of these matters, that he shall confess that he has sinned in that thing” (Lev 5:5). Being specific in their confession will also help them to know exactly what they should not do in the future. Specificity allows you to be precise and detailed in helping them know what to do in the future. These practices will be crucial for their future relationships, particularly in marriage, where humility and asking for forgiveness are both so essential.

Receiving forgiveness.

One aspect of forgiveness that is many times not addressed in teachings on this subject, is that some people really struggle receiving forgiveness from God. This happens when a person is given to trusting their feelings, and who are given to self-condemnation. The first problem that needs to be addressed is that the Bible teaches that forgiveness is received by faith, not by feelings. When Jesus instructed Paul concerning his ministry He told him, “I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me” (Acts 26:17-18). Note that Jesus made it clear that people must receive forgiveness by faith, not by how they feel. Jesus did not tell Paul to go and preach to people so they could learn how to forgive themselves. No! There is only one person who has the right to forgive you, and that is God alone (Mark 2:1-12). So, that means that you don’t have the right to forgive yourself, but you can receive God’s forgiveness. Receiving God’s forgiveness is an act of receiving His grace and mercy, which I can do nothing to ever deserve. I must simply receive it. Don’t let self-condemnation reign inside of you; just receive His forgiveness by faith, and then praise His with a thankful heart!

God’s protection of His people.

Finally, the protection of Joseph’s family is also a beautiful picture of God’s protection over His people, Israel. Throughout history, God has protected His people as exampled by His provision of Abraham during famine, and His protection from the ravages of war during his lifetime. His protection of His people can also be seen during the time of Esther, giving them a miraculous preservation from genocide. God also saved a remnant of Jews during the Holocaust. He used people like Nicholas Winton, who during the Second World War, saved hundreds of Jewish children from the gas chambers. Or, Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist, humanitarian, and member of the Nazi Party who was credited with saving the lives of over 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust, by employing them in his enamelware and ammunitions factories in occupied Poland. These people exemplify God’s working through human hands to protect His people, even as Joseph did during Jacob’s lifetime. And never forget that God has promised to also preserve the 144,000 Jews during the Tribulation Period during the end times. God keeps His promises to His people!

Pharaoh’s command to Joseph.

“Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, ‘Joseph’s brothers have come.’ So it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Say to your brothers, “Do this: Load your animals and depart; go to the land of Canaan. Bring your father and your households and come to me; I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land. Now you are commanded--do this: Take carts out of the land of Egypt for your little ones and your wives; bring your father and come. Also do not be concerned about your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’” Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them carts, according to the command of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey. He gave to all of them, to each man, changes of garments; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments. And he sent to his father these things: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his father for the journey” (Gen. 45:16-23).

Pharaoh then commanded that the children of Israel, descendants of Jacob, and all of his household come to Egypt for protection and provision. Pharaoh believed he was doing a favor for Joseph, but in reality, he was fulfilling God’s sovereign plan, that had been foretold many years earlier. In Genesis 15:13-16, God predicted to Abram, “Then He said to Abram, ‘Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them for four hundred years. And also the nation whom they serve (referring to Egypt), I will judge; afterward, they shall come out with great possessions. Now, as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. But in the fourth generation, they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.’” God revealed hundreds of years in advance exactly what would happen to the Jewish people, which was completely fulfilled through the edict of Pharaoh. Note God’s incredible mercy revealed in this prophecy. He gave the Amorites an opportunity and time to repent before He judged them. God was offering them mercy, but they chose not to repent. God also made it clear to Abram that the children of Israel would go down to Egypt, but they would return to their own land after 400 years. Pharoah’s decree to bring Joseph’s family to Egypt to protect them is a great example of God’s care of the children of Israel, but in reality, Pharoah was simply fulfilling God’s sovereign plan.

Another historical event that is very similar to what Pharoah did is also revealed in Scripture. This was when Caesar commanded that all the world would be registered in a census. He commanded that everyone had to return to their place of birth to be counted. Caesar thought he was simply implementing his sovereign plan, but in reality, he was fulfilling God’s sovereign will by getting Joseph and Mary to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. How could Joseph and Mary who lived in Nazareth get to Bethlehem to fulfill the prophecies of Scripture? Without Caesar’s edict they most likely would have had their baby in Nazareth. Little did Caesar know that His decree was actually fulfilling the prophecy recorded in Micah 5:2, which said that the Messiah must be born in Bethlehem. Scripture records, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrata, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the one to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” These two examples are really so incredible, because they reveal how God fulfills His sovereign plan, while men have no clue what is happening! I wonder how many times we all have unknowingly fulfilled God’s will without even realizing it?

Joseph’s brothers return to Jacob.

“So he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them, ‘See that you do not become troubled along the way.’ Then they went up out of Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to Jacob their father. And they told him, saying, ‘Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.’ And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. Then Israel said, ‘It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die’” (Gen. 45:24-28).
At first, Jacob did not believe the news that Joseph was alive. But when he saw the proof of the food and carts that Joseph had sent, he accepted the fact that Joseph was truly alive. When Jacob believed the testimony of his sons, it says that his spirit revived, which literally means that his heart “came alive” or “recovered.” This is all very similar to Thomas in the New Testament, who didn’t believe the testimony of the disciples that Jesus had been raised to life again. However, when Thomas did see the evidence of the holes in Christ’s hands and side, he then believed. He simply needed more proof, as Jacob did. But notice what Jesus also said. He told His unbelieving disciple, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). This statement to Thomas was a reproof to him of having to see the evidence, and a way of encouraging all of us to believe the testimony of those that He sends to us. Each of us have come to believe through the testimony of others who have had a personal relationship with Jesus. When we believed their testimony, we then experienced new life within. Our hearts revived and came alive even though we have not seen him face to face.   

What Joseph’s brothers failed to mention.

Notice within these last few verses that there is no mention or explanation by Joseph’s brothers to Jacob concerning how Joseph got to Egypt in the first place, or their part in selling him into slavery. Did the brother’s reveal to Jacob what they had done? The Scripture just doesn’t say. It’s possible they did, but it was not likely at that moment. Eventually this information had to have come out, and would have been revealed to Jacob. But nothing is written in Scripture about these conversations.

Jacob’s ultimate realization!

Now remember what Jacob blurted out in Genesis 42:36 when he said, “All things are against me.” He said this when he heard that Simeon had been held in Egypt in addition to thinking that Joseph was also dead. This is what Jacob thought at that moment. But the opposite was actually true. Here in Genesis 45, he comes to the realization that actually all things have been working together for good, and God was fully and completely for him. It’s incredible to think that Jacob lived for years believing that God was against him, when, in reality, God was for him all along. What a waste of time, and a waste of sorrow!

My hope and prayer for each of you reading this study is that you believe that God is for you, and is working all things together for your good (Rom. 8:28). If you love the Lord, and are called by Him, you must believe that every event in your life is being orchestrated by God. Some difficult events are tests that God is using to change and transform your life. Other joyous events, God is using to be a special encouragement to you. Jesus said that, “He makes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust” (Matt. 5:28). In other words, we all experience good times and difficult times, no one is exempt. As Job said to his wife when she encouraged him to curse God and die, because of the calamities that had befallen him, he replied, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10). The Scripture declares that God saw Job as a righteous man, one who feared Him and shunned evil (Job 1:1). Yet, God allowed him to experience great trials and affliction. Never forget that Job here acknowledged as Jesus taught, that we are not exempt from adversity while living in this fallen world. Therefore, do not charge God foolishly as Jacob did, but trust Him as Job did, that He is for you and working all things together for you.