JOSEPH REVEALS HIMSELF TO HIS BROTHERS

Genesis 45

Victor M. Eskew

 

I.              The Title of Genesis 45

 

A.  Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers

B.   And Joseph Said:  I Am Joseph (v. 3)

C.   Joseph My Son Is Yet Alive (v. 28)

 

II.            The Key Verse of Genesis 45:  Genesis 45:3-4

 

And Joseph said unto his brothers, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live?  And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.  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.

 

Why this verse?  It is in these two verses that Joseph reveals himself to his brothers.  Twice he tells them:  “I am Joseph.”  It will also be this message that they must convince their father of when they return to Canaan.

 

III.         The Outline of Genesis 45

 

i.               THE PROCLAMATION (Gen. 45:1-15)

ii.             THE PROPOSITION (Gen. 45:16-20)

iii.           THE PROVISION (Gen. 45:21-24)

iv.            THE PERSUASION (Gen. 45:25-28)

 

IV.          The Lessons of Genesis 45

 

A.  Emotions are powerful forces that often move us into action (Gen. 45:1a).

 

And Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him…

 

B.   Tears are often a part of joyful experiences (Gen. 45:2).

 

And he wept aloud:  and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

 

C.   Some families will receive news about their family members that is almost beyond belief (Gen. 45:3).

 

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.

 

1.     Adopted children find their brothers and sisters.

2.     Recently, three girls found their freedom from a kidnapper who had held them for a decade.

 

D.  In the process of reconciliation, kinds words should be spoken, even by the one who has been wronged (Gen. 45:5a).

 

Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither…

 

E.   Four times Joseph credits God with having brought him into the land of Egypt and exalting him to this position.

1.     …for God did send me before you to preserve life (Gen. 45:5).

2.     And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth… (Gen. 45:7)

3.     So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God… (Gen. 45:8).

4.     …God hath made me lord of all Egypt… (Gen. 45:9).

 

F.    God’s providence truly provides (Gen. 45:7).

 

And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

 

G.   Some things in life need to be done in a quick manner (Gen. 45:9, 13).

 

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.

 

H.  Reconciliation can involve the complete restoration of relationships without any further estrangement (Gen. 45:10-11a).

 

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.

 

I.     Joseph’s brothers were eyewitnesses that Joseph was alive and that he had risen to a high position in Egypt (Gen. 45:12-13).

 

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 my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.

 

1.     Eyewitness testimony is a powerful and valuable thing.  The witnesses, however, must be credible.

2.     It is interesting that Joseph distinguishes between his brothers and Benjamin.  Perhaps he thought that Benjamin would be a more credible witness to his father.

3.     He also sent 20 donkeys laden with various goods specifically to his father that would witness that he was alive (Gen. 45:23).

J.    True reconciliation between brothers is a beautiful thing (Gen. 45:14-15).

 

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.

 

K.   Grand reunions are a pleasure even to those who are not part of the family (Gen. 45:16).

 

And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying Joseph’s brethren are come:  and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.

 

L.   Occasionally, God’s children will be blessed by those in the world (Gen. 45:17-20).

 

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you into 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 of the fruit of the land.

 

M. Some news is too overwhelming to be believed, even if it is true (Gen. 45:26).

 

And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is the governor over all the land of Egypt.  And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not.

 

N.  Some individuals are wise enough to be convinced by evidence (Gen. 45:27-28).

 

And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:  and Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive:  I will go and see him before I die.