Genesis 45

Joseph reveals himself to his brothers (vs. 1-15)—After Judah’s tear-jerking speech, “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” (v. 1). In verse 3, the matter is revealed: “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.” The word “dismayed” has been variously translated; the Hebrew word can be used in a variety of ways—terrified, dismayed, bewildered, be in agony—and it’s possible that a little bit of all of that was in Jacob’s other sons. But Joseph explains, as he himself finally understands: “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” (v. 6); “it was not you who sent me here, but God” (v. 8).

He informs them that there will be yet five more years of famine, and tells them to hurry back to Canaan, get their father and all their families and belongings, and return to Egypt. He would put them in the land of Goshen, a marvelously rich land in the Nile delta. At the end of the section, “he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with him” (v. 15). It must have been a wonderful reunion.

Pharaoh hears about Joseph’s brothers (vs. 16-20)—The matter was reported to the king, and “it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well” (v. 16). Pharaoh told Joseph to tell his brothers what he had already told them: “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” (v. 18). Joseph obviously knew Pharaoh well enough that he had presumed upon that course of action.

Joseph sends his brothers on their way (vs. 21-24)—Joseph provided all the necessities and provisions his brothers would need for the trip to Canaan and back. I can’t help but feel a little bit of irritation at Joseph: “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” (v. 22). Doesn’t he realize that such favoritism was the very reason his brothers sold him into slavery in the first? Now, they’ve shown much growth and maturity but he has to rub it in their faces again. But if the brothers were angered, there is no mention of it. “He sent his brothers away, and they departed” (v. 24).

They report to Jacob (vs. 25-28)—I’m sure they couldn’t wait to get home. They told their father, “Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt" (v. 26). Jacob’s reaction is unsurprising: “And Jacob's heart stood still, because he did not believe them” (v. 26). But they convinced him, and “the spirit of Jacob their father revived” (v. 27). “ Then Israel said, ‘It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die’" (v. 28). One cannot help but feel extreme joy for Jacob at the discovery that his favorite son, whom he thought for 22 years was dead, was actually alive and that he would see him again.  But I also wonder what he thought when his sons told him that they had sold Joseph into slavery and allowed their father, for those 22 years, to think he was dead.  Something to ask Jacob some day.