Genesis 45:4-28
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. And he wept
so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
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. – Genesis 45:1-3
In Genesis 3 God
states that there will be a man coming that will crush the head of the
serpent. In Genesis 15 we hear God give
a promise to Abraham that he will be a blessing to the nations and that from
him will come a great nation. In Genesis
22 we see a story of God telling Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, the
son of promise. God provided a ram to
sacrifice instead of Isaac, thus illustrating that he would provide an ultimate
sacrifice in the future. In Genesis 28 God gave Jacob a vision of angels
ascending and descending on a ladder. In
John 1 Jesus said that this ladder was Himself.
As we arrive at Genesis 45, the author, inspired by the Holy Spirit, was
giving us an even clearer picture of what this Messiah would be like.
This is the
crescendo in the symphony of Joseph’s life.
His brothers’ eyes were blind, but now they can see. They can see Joseph for who he really is. They didn’t even realize that they were
blind. They didn’t realize that they
needed their eyes opened. The only one
who could pull the curtain back for this revelation was Joseph. The one who had full knowledge could
enlighten those with no knowledge at all.
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. – Genesis 45:4-7
At first,
Joseph’s brothers didn’t know who he was.
Judah pleaded for mercy (Genesis 44:18).
They didn’t understand that Joseph was their brother. They didn’t know that they could approach him
as a brother. What we believe about God
really matters. God is holy and yet He
allows Himself to be approached. In Luke
7 there’s a story of a sinful woman.
Even though Jesus is holy and pure, He still allowed her to approach and
touch Him. He told her that her faith
had saved her. The only way we can come
to Him is by faith through the blood of Christ.
The veil is torn. There’s nothing
between us and God anymore. Joseph
unveiled, or revealed himself to his brothers.
He alone had the ability to reveal himself. This is the same with God. We don’t come to understand God for salvation
by reading about Him or listening to someone talk about Him. Listen to the conversation between Peter and
Jesus ,
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the
living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was
not revealed to you by man, but by My Father in heaven.” – Matthew 16:16-17
What came first,
Joseph’s offer of reconciliation, or the brothers’ admission of guilt? At this point, they had not admitted to him
directly about their guilt of selling him into slavery. They had not asked for any forgiveness. And, yet, Joseph offered reconciliation. Both parties have to be willing to reconcile
before there’s reconciliation. Jesus desires
for people to be reconciled to Himself.
He offered reconciliation to us before we ever admitted to any wrongdoing. In Romans 5:8 it says,
God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were
sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8
Over 2000 years
ago Christ died for me. Obviously, this
was well before I was born. My children
joke with me about being old, but I’m not that old. But just because He offers reconciliation
doesn’t mean that we automatically have it.
We can only find this reconciliation if we accept the payment for the
reconciliation.
Later on, in
verse 15 it says,
And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them.
Afterward his brothers talked with him. – Genesis 45:15
We don’t know
what they talked about. Hopefully, his
brothers verbalized their wrongdoing and that Joseph verbalized his
forgiveness.
Two times Joseph
mentioned that God had sent him, in verses 5 and 7. This was the same for Jesus. In the gospels, Jesus mentioned forty-six
times that He was sent. Some of those
were replicated in the gospels. Here’s
what we can learn about God. He takes
initiative. He always has. He came looking for Adam and Eve when they
hid themselves. He sent judges to rule
Israel so that He could be honored and loved above all. He sent prophets like Jonah, Isaiah, Jeremiah
and others to bring the people of Israel, and other nations, to repentance so
that they could renew their relationship with Him. In Luke 20, Jesus shared a parable of a
vineyard. A man planted a vineyard and
some farmers took care of it. He sent
one of his servants to collect some of the harvest but they beat him. He sent another servant but they beat him as
well. Finally, he sent his son. They ended up killing him. God sent his servants, the prophets, then He
sent His only son. Now, He sends
us. Paul said in Romans 10:15, “How can
they preach unless they are sent…”
Joseph told his
brothers not to be distressed or to be angry with themselves for sending him to
Egypt. God, in His sovereign goodness,
sent Joseph to Egypt for a purpose. He
wanted to preserve the family of Jacob.
It was through the line of Jacob that all the nations would be blessed
as He promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
As we read in Genesis 49:10, the Messiah would come through the lineage
of Judah. The story of the Messiah
continues to be woven through the Old Testament. The prophet who wrote Genesis didn’t know who
the Messiah would be, but as the Holy Spirit inspired him, he gained a better
understanding of Him. Listen to Peter’s
description of the prophets as they were writing down Scripture, such as our
story today,
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the
grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying
to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them
was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that
would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but
you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who
have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even
angels long to look into these things.” – 1 Peter 1:10-12
God has taken
many bad things and turned them into good.
For example, the Jews were guilty of crucifying and killing Jesus, and
yet, God fulfilled His plan through it.
This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and
foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by
nailing him to the cross.’” – Acts 2:23
Later on, Peter
proclaims,
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has
made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” – Acts 2:36
Underline added.
It’s a paradox,
not a contradiction. The people crucified
Jesus, and, Jesus laid down His own life.
Listen to what He says,
Jesus said, “The reason my Father loves Me is that I lay down
My life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of
My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up
again. This command I received from My Father.” – John 10:17-18
God took
something evil and turned it into good.
That's what God does.
By selling
Joseph, his brothers would find their salvation. He would eventually rescue them. With evil intentions they sold Joseph. With good intentions God was going to use
this for a great deliverance. If Judah’s
family had died from the famine, then the Messiah wouldn’t come. If the Messiah wouldn’t come then the Jewish
people couldn’t be saved from their sin.
The Gentiles as well couldn’t be saved from their sin either. We are sitting here today because God
intervenes and rescues.
Notice that in
verse 5 Joseph told his brothers to be done with their guilt. He said,
“Do not be distressed and do not be angry with
yourselves…” – Genesis 45:5
Paul states,
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are
in Christ Jesus… -- Romans 8:1
“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. 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. 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.’ ” – Genesis 45:8-11
What Joseph said
reminds me of the verse we read earlier:
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has
made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” – Acts 2:36
Joseph was lord
and ruler just like Jesus. Notice how
Joseph offers provision for his brothers.
Joseph showed mercy by not using his place of power to punish his
brothers. He had every right to, just
like God has every right to punish us.
He showed his mercy through compassion.
He showed grace by giving his brothers what they didn’t deserve. Instead of getting punishment, they got the
land of Goshen and plenty of food.
Salvation wasn’t
just offered to Jacob’s family.
Salvation was offered to everyone.
Earlier in Genesis we read,
And all the countries came to Egypt to buy grain from
Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the world. – Genesis 41:57
People had to
humble themselves before Joseph; then they could receive their grain. The same is true that those who want
salvation must humble themselves before Jesus.
It has always been God’s plan for salvation to come to the whole world.
Understand, then, that those who believe are children of
Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith,
and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed
through you.” – Galatians 3:7-8
The Old
Testament is full of examples of God’s desire for the nations to come to Him,
not just one nation.
“You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother
Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. Tell my father about all
the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my
father down here quickly.” – Genesis 45:12-13
In Hebrews we’re
told,
After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down
at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” – Hebrews 1:3
Jesus died and
was not present with the disciples for three days. When He ascended to heaven he was
glorified. Joseph was presumed to be “no
more” (Genesis 42:13). Then he appeared
to come back to life right before their eyes.
Jesus’ disciples had witnessed Him perform miracles, teach, and rise
from the dead. Matthew tells us one of
the last things Jesus told the disciples,
“All authority on heaven and earth have been given to
me. Therefore go…” – Matthew 28:18-19
Joseph’s
brothers were witnesses to him being alive and that Joseph had new authority,
power, honor and resources. They
witnessed a glorified Joseph. The last
time they saw him he was a suffering Joseph that had been punished because of
their sin. They were to “go” and share
with their dad that they witnessed Joseph's so-called resurrection.
Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and
wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and
wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him. – Genesis 45:14-15
Like I mentioned
earlier, we don’t know what they talked about.
Hopefully, apologies were made.
I’m sure it was a great relief to see Benjamin. Joseph and Benjamin were born from the same
mother, Rachel. He was so concerned
about Benjamin. I imagine that his
concern for Benjamin and his distrust of his brothers is what drove him to test
his brothers like he did.
These brothers
got together and talked. You guys know
how it is when you get together with other guys. One guy talks about a hiking trip he
took. Then another guy brings up a
hiking trip he took, but his trip was far more dangerous than his friend’s
trip. Then another friend shares about a
hiking trip he took and that he took a pistol with him because of the bears
that were normally seen on that trail.
Then another guy pipes in with a story of how he brought a bigger pistol
than the guy in the previous story. The
stories drift to guns and away from hiking.
Then another guy talks about shooting a bear with his double aught slide
action .308 rifle with a long distance scope and made out of rare wood from a
tree deep in the jungles of Costa Rica.
The stories get bigger and bigger.
The next person is trying to outdo the last one with a story that’s more
dangerous or show how important he is because of something he possesses. There may have been some little
embellishments added to the stories. I’m
guessing that when Joseph talked about his story no one could outdo him. This is the story of all stories. I imagine that they had questions, but by the
end I wonder if they were silent. After
all, how can you outdo a story that God was writing?
When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s
brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. Pharaoh said to
Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land
of Canaan, 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.’
“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. Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be
yours.’ ” – Genesis 45:16-20
Joseph’s
brothers didn’t come with any merits.
They came in desperate need. They
deserved to be judged, instead they were showered with grace. Their access to the riches of Egypt wasn’t
because they earned it. They had access
to these things because of who they knew.
The same is true for salvation.
We need to come to God humbly, realizing that we deserve His
judgment. We come knowing that we don’t
deserve any of the good things that God has to offer. We only come to the Father in the name of
Jesus. Salvation isn’t as much about
what you know, as it is about who you know.
The Pharisees knew a lot of Scripture but many didn’t come to know
Jesus. Jesus said,
Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the
only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” – John 17:3
We need to know
that Jesus is the only way to the Father and that we can only be saved by grace
through faith. We don't have salvation
just because we know about those things.
The knowledge of these things brings us to a point of knowing Him. We haven’t come to Jesus for salvation unless
we come to Him with desperate need.
Paul explained
that all the riches we have are a result of knowing Christ:
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because
we are united with Christ. – Ephesians 1:3 NLT
Notice that
Joseph wanted his brothers to be with him.
He didn’t just give them grain and tell them “See you later!” He invited them into his community. Jesus does the same thing with us. He forgives us and invites us into community
with Him and His family. What good would
it do to live in the land of famine when God is offering the land of
feasting? It did take some sacrifice for
Jacob’s family to move to a different land.
But it was worth it. There is a
difference between attending a meeting with Christians and seeing this group of
people as your new family. There were
five more years of famine coming. Their
protection was to be in fellowship with their savior.
So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts,
as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. To
each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred
shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. 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. Then
he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t
quarrel on the way!”
So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob
in the land of Canaan. They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is
ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. 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. And
Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him
before I die.” – Genesis 45:21-28
This part of the
story ends with Jacob believing without seeing.
He was given evidence of Joseph being alive. First, his sons were eyewitnesses to him
being alive. Second, if Benjamin
confirmed this claim, then that would add more weight to the evidence. Benjamin’s brothers had been deceitful in the
past. But Benjamin hadn’t taken part in
their greatest deception. Of course, in
this assessment I’m assuming that Jacob had trouble trusting his other
sons. Third, the special favor that
Joseph showed Benjamin probably convinced Jacob that he was alive. It would make sense that Joseph would show
favor to his own blood brother. There
was a special bond because they belonged to the same mother. This is something only people close to them
would know about. Fourth, his sons
brought back an enormous amount of stuff.
Why would a random person in another country want to show them so much
kindness? Certainly Joseph must be
alive!
Jacob said
something interesting. He exclaimed, “I’m
convinced!” I talk with people on a
regular basis as to why we can believe that Jesus existed, that he performed
miracles and rose from the dead. His
resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith.
If he didn’t rise from the dead, Paul said that our faith would be in
vain (1 Corinthians 15:14). It’s beyond
the scope of my sermon today to go over much of the evidence. But I will mention one thing. There were reliable eyewitnesses to his
resurrection. Peter was one of these
witnesses. God performed miracles
through Peter proving that he was a prophet speaking and writing new Scripture. Biblical scholars say that they have a high
degree of certainty as to what Peter’s original writings say, even though we
don’t have possession of his original writings.
There’s also a high degree of certainty that his writings haven’t been
altered to any significant degree over the many years. Our faith isn’t a blind faith. We don’t believe in the resurrected Jesus
just because we want it to be true. We
believe in the resurrected Jesus because it is true.
In this story in
Genesis 45, we see that Joseph’s identity was revealed to blind people just
like the Father reveals Jesus to us.
Even though He is royalty, Jesus is approachable, just like Joseph
was. Jesus, just like Joseph, offered
reconciliation even though His offenders showed no love toward Him. As Joseph was sent to be a savior, so was
Jesus. Through Joseph and Jesus, evil
was turned into a great deliverance.
Jesus and Joseph both freed people from their guilt. After suffering for the sin of others, they
died, came back to life and were glorified.
Both are ruler and Lord. The
nations have access to either one. An
abundance of grace and provision is offered to those who are in fellowship with
Joseph and Jesus.
I’d like to
conclude by asking you a couple of questions.
Will you humble yourself with the Savior, or will you walk away
empty-handed today? If you have seen the
Savior for yourself, will you tell the ones you love that He is alive?
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