Genesis 45:1-15 - Joseph Reveals his Identity to his Brothers

Genesis 45:1)Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2) And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. 3) Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. 4) Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5) And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6) For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7) God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on the earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8) So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and the lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 9) Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me a lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. 10) You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 11) I will provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.’ 12) And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. 13) You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” 14) Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. 15) And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.

How we got here: Last week we left our story with Joseph having been sold into slavery by his brothers. When Joseph arrives in Egypt he becomes the slave of an official of Pharaoh named Potiphar. Joseph is put in charge of managing his home. He excels in this work. Joseph is a beautiful young man and attracts the attention of Potiphar’s wife who tries to seduce him. Joseph resists saying that he will not sin against God in that way. Potiphar’s wife is furious and makes up stories about him to her husband who immediately has Joseph put in jail. Shortly thereafter the baker and the butler of Pharaoh are put in jail pending an investigation of wrong doing in Pharaoh’s court. While in jail they have confusing dreams that Joseph interprets for them. His interpretations prove accurate. The butler is freed and the baker is hung. For two more years he languishes in prison. Remarkably he never loses his belief that God is with him and God’s hand is at work in his life. At this time Pharaoh is troubled by dreams he cannot interpret, dreams that also confound his wise men. His butler remembers Joseph from prison and Pharaoh sends for him. Joseph interprets the dreams and gives wise practical advice about how to prepare for the famine the dreams predict. Pharaoh makes him his administrator. He quickly rises to power and becomes the second in command to Pharaoh. He marries an Egyptian woman named Aesenath and they have two sons. He is in his early 30’s when the drought hits. Meanwhile in Canaan, Jacob sends his sons (all except Benjamin, the youngest and Joseph’s only full brother) to Egypt to try to buy grain. They come to Joseph but they do not recognize him. He recognizes them and puts them through many tests to determine what the years have done to their character, including going back to get Benjamin. In this morning’s lesson the testing is finished and Joseph is ready to reveal his identity to his brothers and offer them forgiveness.

Providence: A key theological concept permeates this story. It is the providence of God. That simply means that God is at work in and through all of the circumstances of our lives. Throughout this story, God is the decisive actor. God is the subject of the major action verbs in the text. God sent (vs. 5, 7). God made (vs. 8). God works through this family and all of its brokenness and resentment to protect them and to guard the Promise.

Word Study
Vs. 1 – could no longer control himself – after Judah’s impassioned speech about Benjamin, Joseph cannot contain his emotions.
Send everyone away – this refers to the members of the Egyptian court. Joseph must meet his brothers as equals. He cannot do it as the governor of Egypt.
Vs. 2 – wept so loudly – screaming and wailing crying.
Vs. 3 – could not answer – they are so upset they cannot speak. They know that Joseph has their lives in his hands and they remember what they did when they had Joseph’s life in their hands.
Vs. 7 – remnant and survivors – these are special words with much theological significance. He is talking about the salvation of the promise that God made to their ancestor Abraham.
Vs. 8 – a father to Pharaoh – an honorary title for a good administrator and counselor.
Vs. 10 – Goshen – a fertile region in the Northeast Delta of Egypt.
Vs. 15 – talked with him – when the brothers had last seen each other they could not speak peaceably to each other. The grace of God working in all of their lives has allowed forgiveness and acceptance. Now they can communicate, possibly for the first time.

Questions for Personal Reflection
1. Forgiveness is always a process. What are some of the things that you have noticed as important for you to be able to forgive others? Our text (and New Testament texts on the subject) indicates that repentance of the offender is not necessary. What role do you think repentance takes in forgiveness? Why do you think Joseph put his brothers through so many character tests before he revealed his identity to them?
2. Joseph knew that reconciliation requires vulnerability. He could not be reconciled to his brothers while he had all the power. Have you ever experienced this dynamic at work in any of your troubled relationships?
3. Our story reminds us that God can take over what we do and what happens to us and turn our broken life experiences into something grand and wonderful. What are some of the qualities that Joseph exhibited that made that transformation easier?

Spiritual Growth Toolbox
This week make a list of the people who are the hardest for you to forgive. Make a note of any of the on-going gifts they have brought to your life, even though you may still be estranged. List also your grievances. Take these two lists to God in prayer. Ask God to relieve you of the burden of unforgiveness and to set you free.