Reunited With His Brothers

Genesis 45:1-24

When Judah described his concern for his father, that not taking Benjamin back might kill him, and offered himself as a substitute, It was obvious that they were far less selfish than they had been. Before, they would probably have just left Benjamin behind with no concern for Jacob’s feelings. That the one who suggested selling Jacob would volunteer to take his formerly hated little brother’s place was huge. As John 15:13 says, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

“Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.” (Genesis 45:1-3)

Overcome with emotion, Joseph made his servants leave him alone with his brothers. It was much too intimate a moment to be shared with strangers, although the Egyptians could hear and knew what was going on.

Can you imagine his brother’s shock when Joseph told them who he was? For more than twenty years they had told everyone he was dead, hiding their involvement by making he had been killed by an animal. He had every right, and the authority to have them imprisoned or killed. They knew what they had done with far less provocation, and expected nothing less.

“And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.” (Genesis 45:4-8)

Though their intent had been evil, to get rid of their brother, it was still in God’s control. It was God who made Reuben stop them from killing Joseph, with the intent of rescuing him. It was God who had caused the Ishmeelite traders to come by and buy Joseph, so that Reuben couldn‘t save him. Recognizing this, Joseph had forgiven them, and now that it was out in the open, they no longer needed to dwell on how wicked their actions had been. For Joseph to have shown his forgiveness before they showed any evidence of repentance would have been pointless, even though he had recognized God’s working long before.

Even their own sin had worked out to their benefit, as Romans 8:28 states. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” For more than twenty years they had concealed their sin and been constantly oppressed by the guilt. While God had blessed them in many ways during the period, guilt had kept them from enjoying it. With it out in the open, they could experience all God’s blessings, as Proverbs 28:13 promises. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” God had used their sin to put Joseph in a position to save their lives and their families.

“Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not: And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast: And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.

And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you. And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.” (Genesis 45:9-12)

The famine would last five more years, and if they stayed in Canaan, they would constantly experience shortages, eventually losing everything they had. If they moved to Egypt they could experience an abundant life instead.

“And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.” (Genesis 45:14-15)

After twenty years, the reunion with his beloved little brother was especially sweet. Although the older brothers were undoubtedly more reserved, knowing they were forgiven made it sweet for them as well, while Joseph was finally able to openly show his love as he had wanted to since they came the first time. He would no longer have to hide their money in their sacks.

“And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan; And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land. Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.” (Genesis 45:16-20)

Pharaoh and the Egyptians were pleased that Joseph was reunited with his family, and instructed Joseph to provide wagons to haul their wives and children and come to Egypt as soon as possible. The Egyptians would give them furniture and housing when they arrived, so they would not need to bring such things with them.

“And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way. To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment. And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way. “ (Genesis 45:21-23)

The brothers quickly agreed to Pharaoh’s command, and were provided with wagons. Since there were no restaurants along the way it was necessary to have food that could be carried along, and it was prepared so they would not waste a lot of time preparing their meals. All that would be needed was to go pick up their families and start the livestock moving. With no need to find food or pack their belongings, they could be back in Egypt in a few days. Joseph also gave each one a new suit of clothes, but gave Benjamin a lot more.

“So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.” (Genesis 45:24)

Though they were repentant of their actions toward him, Joseph was very aware of the family culture of jealousy and competition. He warned them not to get to fighting among themselves on the way and forget why they were going.