Genesis 45 – Reconciliation
Joseph had tested the hearts of his brothers to see if there had been any inward change. They passed the tests and he could no longer continue to hide his identity and control his emotions. He realized his brothers had real repentance and he had to reveal himself to them. “I am Joseph! Is my father still living? But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. 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! 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. For two years now there has been famine in the land and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 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. 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” – Gen. 45:3-9.
How consistently do you give God all the glory for your success?
When they heard this was Joseph, they were terrified and probably expecting prison or even death, instead they heard of God’s sovereign plan to protect them. If God had not placed Joseph in charge of the food in Egypt, the people of Israel would die in the famine. Joseph told them to go home, take Benjamin, tell their father the whole story and bring him back with them. He threw his arms around them. They kissed, wept with joy, and talked. Can you imagine what all they talked about? What a joyful time they must have had.
Sin separates us from God. Apart from Jesus Christ we face condemnation. Joseph called his brothers to come close to him. God calls us to come close to Him and be reconciled.
Joseph gave them a tough love, but God was with Joseph and clothe him in holy love. God hates sin, but loves the sinner. Joseph wanted them to recognize their sins and repent and that’s what God wants for us. Joseph teaches us what real love is. Real love is not self-centered, but a redemptive love.
Joseph wept so loudly that it was heard by the whole palace. When Pharaoh heard the news that Joseph’s brothers had come, he and all his officials were pleased. Pharaoh told Joseph that they should return with their father and he would give them the best land in Egypt. Joseph gave them new clothes and provisions for their journey. He gave Benjamin 3 hundred shekels of silver and 5 sets of clothing. He sent his father donkeys, grain, bread and other provisions.
When the brothers returned home, they told Jacob all that had happened and that Joseph was alive. Jacob was revived. He said he would go and see Joseph before he died.
Principle: God invites repentant sinners to come close to Him for eternal abundant life.
Genesis 46 – Trusting God to Go
Jacob and all his family left Canaan to go Egypt. He stopped along the way at Beersheba to worship God. He wasn’t really sure what God wanted him to do, but was confident he would hear from God. He faced a major decision to move his family out of Canaan, the land promised by God. He wanted to see his son, Joseph, but wasn’t sure it was wise to leave. In Genesis 26 God told his father Isaac not to go to Egypt so Jacob needed to know what to do. What would you do? Jacob prayed. He sought God’s guidance. God told him not to be afraid, but to go and He would be with him, but that He would bring him back to the Promise Land.
Jacob and his family needed to go to Egypt so his people would be preserved and not starve to death during the famine. Jacob took his entire family – 66 in all. Counting Joseph and his sons there were 70 in Jacob’s family. The number 70 is like the number 7, symbolizing perfection. All the names of Jacob’s family are listed in this chapter. Why do you think it was necessary to list these names? This is a list of every tribe which would later become the nation of Israel. They are also listed, because God wants us to know that each one of us is important and special.
God records the names of people today. All of the names of the church are written in heaven in the book of life. (Luke 10:20, Rev. 20:12-15). It includes anyone who has accepted Jesus as Savior. Are you sure your name is listed? There is no reason not to be sure.
Principle: God works through our individual obedience to grow and strengthen the body of Christ.
After 22 years Joseph and Jacob met. When Joseph saw his father he threw his arms around him and wept for a long time. Imagine the emotions of their hearts.
God had a plan and a place for His people. Through Joseph He prepared a place for them in Goshen. Since they were shepherds, Goshen had the most fertile land for their sheep to graze. It was also on the border of Egypt separating the Egyptians from the Hebrews. The Hebrews needed to be isolated, because Egyptians considered sheep unclean and hated shepherds.
Join me here next week for the next chapter in Genesis. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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