Genesis 45 – Joseph Reveals His Identity
Timeline: 1706 BC
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In the last chapter, Judah had revealed to Joseph what the "official story" had been about his death earlier: that he had been torn to pieces. Joseph must have heard Judah's words and remembered Jacob's love for him. He learned about his father's grief and pain for losing himself 22 years earlier and now, losing Benjamin will be fatal. Judah knew that Benjamin was Jacob's favorite, however, he was willing to assume the fate of his brother and showed no bitterness, jealousy, or hatred against him. This was quite the turnaround since it was Judah who had proposed selling Joseph into slavery. To say that Joseph was moved by Judah's revelation is an understatement. 1 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. According to an Amasis law, a monarch of the 26th dynasty, every Egyptian was obliged to give an account to the monarch or State governor of how he lived, with the certification that if he failed to show that he possessed an honorable calling he should be put to death. So everything Joseph did was reported to Pharaoh. Joseph, a powerful Egyptian official, struggled to maintain a level of public dignity. He bearly managed to contain his emotions until he could send his servants and the members of his household out of the room. This was a private matter. and then he broke down and could hardly get the following words out of his mouth. 3 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. For the first time in front of his brothers, Joseph spoke their language. The shock when he revealed himself was enough to silence them. The remembrance of their crime, the absolute power of Joseph, guilt and fear overtook them and caused them to be paralized with fear. He saw them drawing backwards, so he called them tenderly and pleadingly to show them that he had forgiven them. Joseph gave God the credit and glory, as he has done all along, for his circumstances. Though God detests sin, yet he turns man's wickedness into his glory. God made Joseph a "father to Pharoah", his most confidential counsellor and friend, meaning Joseph gave him fatherly advice. 9 “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."’ Goshen borders on Canaan, some distance from the inward parts of Egypt, and from the court. It was well watered and fit for cattle, and therefore most proper for the Israelites. The city of On was the metropolis of Goshen where his father-in-law was priest. Joseph designated this place since he knew that the growing famine would decimate his people if he did not provide interference. 12 “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.” He spoke to them in the Hebrew language as proof that he was indeed Joseph, who was their brother. Be knew that his father would be pleased to hear what had taken place so he hastened them and promised to provide for them. Joseph eagerly desired to see his father, so he repeated the urgency. 14 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. Joseph began with Benjamin, the innocent one, but didn't stop there. He affectionately embraced every one of his brothers in succession; and by those actions, his forgiveness was demonstrated more fully than it could be by words. This final act of reconciliation reassured the brothers and put them at ease to talk freely with Joseph.They must have had so many questions and requests for forgiveness. 16 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.'" Pharaoh and his courtiers had been so impressed by Joseph that when they heard about the reconcillation, they welcomed his family and generously provided everything they needed to relocate and settle into Goshen. Joseph's family were directed to leave behind anything they didn't need to make the trip easier. They were tent dwellers and were used to traveling so there wouldn't be much excess to leave behind but Pharaoh promised to provide them with anything they needed. 21 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. So he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them, “See that you do not become troubled along the way.” It was customary in the East to give gifts of clothing to show respect and affection. Joseph generously gave them dress clothes to wear on special occasions and to be seen respectably when presented before Pharaoh. He gave Benjamin much more because of his greater love and affection for his younger brother. And to his father, Joseph sent ready-made food and baked bread, prepared meats, and fruit of various sorts for his support and comfort. Joseph knew that his brothers tended to be quarrelsome and sometimes behaved like overgrown children. It would be their tendency to recall the parts they had played in the events that led to Joseph's being sold into Egypt. Undoubtly they would blame and accuse each other for the degree of guilt in their treatment of him. So he told them not to quarrel with each other. 25 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.” The brothers returned with Simeon and Benjamin which was undoubtly a hugh relief to Jacob. But when they informed their father of Joseph's existence and elevation, his initial reaction was one of disbelief. We can only imagination if Jacob's sons confessed or held back the entire truth to Jacob. Twenty years ago they went to Jacob with Joseph's bloody coat and here they came to inform him that he was alive and ruling Egypt! His heart stopped for a moment, taking it in. Then he saw the tidings which his sons brought and believed the story they told, he revived and only thought about going to see Joseph before he dies. Notice once again, the change of name from Jacob to Israel. He never stopped mourning but now his spirit had returned to him. The second dream of Joseph is now to receive its fulfillment. His father was going to bow down before him.
1. When Joseph could no longer refrain himself what did he do?
2. What say to his brothers?
3. How old was the famine when Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers?
4. How did God used Joseph's situation for good?
5. What was the Pharaoh's reaction when he heard Joseph's brothers had come?
6. What did Joseph instruct his brothers to do?
7. Joseph gave each man one of these, but to Benjamin, he gave five.
8. Joseph intended for his extended family to live ...
9. Joseph sent some gifts to his father. Among the many gifts he sent to his father were ...
10. When Israel saw the wagons, what did he say?
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