Genesis 45
The Reconciliation of the Brothers
Gen 45:1 Joseph was no longer able to control himself before all his attendants, so he cried out, “Make everyone go out from my presence!” No one remained with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.
The test was over. Joseph was glad that his family was concerned about the physical safety of Benjamin and the emotional stability of Jacob.
2He wept loudly; the Egyptians heard it and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
If Pharaoh heard the weeping of Joseph, then Joseph must have lived very close to Pharaoh.
3Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” His brothers could not answer him because they were dumbfounded before him.
Joseph spoke in Hebrew and identified himself to his brothers. This must have shocked them tremendously.
4Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me,” so they came near. Then he said, “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.
Joseph repeated his identity, but this time more emphatically.
5Now, do not be upset and do not be angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life!
God used the free will of the brothers to execute His sovereign plan.
6For these past two years there has been famine in the land and for five more years there will be neither plowing nor harvesting.
The famine was already very bad. Five more years of famine were to come.
7God sent me ahead of you to preserve you on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
Joseph explained the divine plan of God.
8So now, it is not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me an adviser to Pharaoh, lord over all his household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
God’s sovereignty was in control of the pagan nation of Egypt.
9Now go up to my father quickly and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: “God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not delay!
Joseph made this request urgently.
10You will live in the land of Goshen, and you will be near me – you, your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds, and everything you have.
Goshen was a shepherding community. Goshen was located in the Eastern Nile Delta region. This was the land bridge which connected Egypt and Africa with the Land of Canaan. The Egyptians despised foreigners and shepherding, so this would protect the Jewish race from intermarrying with both the Canaanites and the Egyptians.
11I will provide you with food there because there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise you would become poor – you, your household, and everyone who belongs to you.”’
If the family did not move to Goshen, they would be reduced to poverty from the famine.
12You and my brother Benjamin can certainly see with your own eyes that I really am the one who speaks to you.
Jacob may not believe the other brothers, but he would believe Benjamin.
13So tell my father about all my honor in Egypt and about everything you have seen. But bring my father down here quickly!”
There was food in Egypt, but nowhere else.
14Then he threw himself on the neck of his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck.
This was a kiss of reunification.
15He kissed all his brothers and wept over them. After this his brothers talked with him.
This was a kiss of reconciliation. The brothers were now talking to Joseph on a brotherly relationship, not a lord/servant relationship.
16Now it was reported in the household of Pharaoh, “Joseph’s brothers have arrived.” It pleased Pharaoh and his servants.
Pharaoh was very pleased to meet the family of the man who had saved Egypt from famine.
17Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and go to the land of Canaan!
This was not a suggestion. It was a command.
18Get your father and your households and come to me! Then I will give you the best land in Egypt and you will eat the best of the land.’
The best shepherding land was Goshen.
19You are also commanded to say, ‘Do this: Take for yourselves wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives. Bring your father and come.
Wagons were very expensive in this day.
20 Don’t worry about your belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt will be yours.’”
The Egyptian government would provide Jacob and his family all that they needed.
21So the sons of Israel did as he said. Joseph gave them wagons as Pharaoh had instructed, and he gave them provisions for the journey.
Joseph sent empty wagons to transport the family.
22He gave sets of clothes to each one of them, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five sets of clothes.
Benjamin was given special treatment because he was the full-brother of Joseph.
23To his father he sent the following: ten donkeys loaded with the best products of Egypt and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, food, and provisions for his father’s journey.
There was enough food for the journey back to Egypt, but not enough to stay in Canaan.
24Then he sent his brothers on their way and they left. He said to them, “As you travel, don’t be overcome with fear.”
The brothers were commanded not to quarrel or doubt that Joseph was their enemy.
25So they went up from Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.
This journey would be a joyous return trip.
26They told him, “Joseph is still alive and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!” Jacob was stunned, for he did not believe them.
For the last 23 years, Jacob thought that Joseph was eaten by animals.
27But when they related to him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to transport him, their father Jacob’s spirit revived.
Jacob was excited. His presumably dead son was ruling Egypt!
28Then Israel said, “Enough! My son Joseph is still alive! I will go and see him before I die.”
Jacob could not wait to go and see Joseph. Joseph was 43 years old at this time.