Read Genesis 45
Joseph Makes Himself Known
1 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. 9 Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. 10 You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. 11 I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’
12 “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. 13 Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”
14 Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.
16 When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, 18 and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’
19 “You are also directed to tell them, ‘Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. 20 Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.’”
21 So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. 22 To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. 23 And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey.24 Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!”
25 So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. 26 They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. 27 But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. 28 And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
Go Deeper
When we think we know how the story will end, that’s when God does His best work. In this chapter, we witness the dramatic climax to the story of Joseph and his brothers. After they sold him into slavery years before, they assumed they would never see him again. Indeed, their father Jacob had been grieving for years about the loss of his favorite son. Their relationship with their brother was dead and gone the moment they sold him. But God used that moment as a setup for something greater.
Imagine the feelings that overwhelmed Joseph while he was all alone. The years of pain, sorrow, betrayal, and wondering what was going to happen next all hit at once. Then just think about his brothers! They realized the very person they sinned against had the power and authority to end their lives in that moment. What happened, however, flips the script upside down. Not only does Joseph extend mercy to his brothers, he also has the eternal perspective to understand how and why God allowed it all to happen!
Just like in this chapter, there will be moments in our lives in which He allows us to form a narrative in our heads. He lets us create expectations just so that He can then do something better than we could have imagined. What stories do you think are solidified in your life? Maybe it’s a relationship with a parent that you don’t think could ever be restored. Maybe you think your marriage will always be average. Maybe you think you’ll never enjoy your job. Whatever assumptions you have made about your life, it doesn’t mean that the story is over.
We believe in the God of Genesis 45. He’s the God who wants to delight and surprise so that you have a greater awe of who He is. He wants to do the unexpected so that you’ll come undone in His presence, just as Joseph was undone in his brothers’. As people of faith, we should be committed to never giving up hope on a situation. When God is the author of a story, the story is never over.
Questions
How do you think Joseph’s life story deepened his relationship with God? What do you notice about what he says in this chapter?
How would have you felt if you were Joseph’s brother that day?
What are some things in your life that you have given up on? Why did you stop praying for them?
Did You Know?
The response of Joseph’s brothers is extremely similar to the disciples’ reactions when the women told of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Both are seemingly stunned into disbelief, but the more they hear and process what is being told to them, they finally allow themselves to believe and respond with indescribable joy!
6 thoughts on “Genesis 45”
A new beginning
God’s Word is so full of detail and most of it we skim over, or just mosey on past. BUT GOD has people, that He either gives the knowledge to or tells them where ,and how to look for more complete information that will illuminate His word to the more full knowledge. Joseph giving his brothers a new change of clothing was a sign in that culture of a new beginning. “The removing of old clothes and the putting on of new clothes in the OT represents forgiveness of sin (Zech. 3:4–5). We are exhorted “put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24). We ultimately wrestle not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, and forces of evil (Eph. 6:12). Now, through faith in Christ Jesus, God has clothed us in the perfect righteousness of Christ.
There is, as in most chapters, so much meat to glean from God’s Word. God is so, so, so detailed in all He ever has or will do. This is why I love the comment section. We can share what God is pointing out to each one of us and it makes the chapter more eye opening and understandable.
God thank You for the compassion I see displayed in Joseph’s story. God, You, have weaved such an amazing story that has no, not one, discrepancy in it. Perfection, so that I may come to the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of You. God. You, link of from the old to the new so that I may know the instruction You have for me. Thank You for the new beginning You have given me in Christ Jesus. Thank You for details of understanding. God more than anything thank You for Your word, wisdom and knowledge sticking in my brain, completely and fully. God thank You for this day, these minutes of this day. Thank You for ordering my steps, giving me eyes to see, ears to hear and listen, and a heart full of Your compassion and grace to those I am around in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God is a redeemer! He takes the broken, shattered, dysfunctional pieces and parts of our flawed humanity and speaks life over and into them. He does this at a great cost to himself, the sacrifice of his beloved Son. He turns hearts of stone to flesh (Ezekiel 36:26), has the heart of the king in his hand (Proverbs 21:1), and the ability to breathe life into the lifeless (Ezekiel 37). Our part is surrender, his job is everything else. Freed people free others! Who can we share this amazing knowledge with today?
8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.“
Many times, I see the hand of others directing my life’s path. Instead, I should look if it might in fact be God’s hand that is directing me.
PS – I laugh when I read Joseph’s directive to his brothers, “Don’t quarrel on the way.”!
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What a beautiful story of faith for us today! Aren’t you encouraged by how amazingly God works things out for our good? Trusting God with the good, the bad and the ugly is all He needs from us to work it out on our behalf. Believing that He is who he says He is, we are then free to lift our voices in praise as we wait and watch for Him to come through, just as He did for Joseph and his family! Let us BE READY to be in awe of Him yet again, because he delights in giving us His best!! Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. -Hebrews 13:8
Forgiveness, reconciliation and the sovereignty of God. Vs.8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.”
God can use even the worst circumstances for His good. I am reminded that the evil scheme of the devil distorts my thinking, and I need to stop, ask God’s help to see the real truth in any situation, then proceed with His wisdom and love.
To God be the glory. Amen!