Read: Genesis 45
Judah’s
repentance in Genesis 44 has as profound impact on Joseph as he was overcome
with emotion. He asked for everyone to
clear the room so that he could reveal his true identity to his brothers in
private (v. 1). His weeping was so
overwhelming that the surrounding households could hear him (v. 2). Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph!
Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him for they were
dismayed at his presence (v. 3). Joseph
then encouraged his brothers to come closer to him and restated that he was
their brother, the one who they had sold into slavery (v. 4). He pleaded with them to not be grieved or
angry with themselves because it was God who sent him there to preserve their
lives (v. 5). He told them that the
famine would continue for five more years and that God had put him in his
position in order to keep the family of Jacob alive (v. 6-7). He explained that God had placed him as ruler
over Egypt (v. 8) and pleaded with them to go to get Jacob and tell him that he
was the ruler of Egypt (v. 9). He gave
them the land of Goshen (v. 10) and told them to return with their families and
livestock and that he would provide for them during the coming five years of
famine (v. 11). He again pleaded for
them to get his father Jacob and to tell him everything about his successes in
Egypt. Joseph then embraced and kissed
his brother Benjamin and the rest of the brothers (v. 14-15).
What a turn
of events for the brothers! They were
expecting to hear of judgement; instead they were offered land and provision
during the famine and are told that their brother is still alive. Joseph was demonstrating not only that he had
forgiven them but that he loved them!
Joseph referred to the Sovereignty of God several times as he spoke to
his brothers. I wonder if the brothers
remembered the dreams that Joseph had as a teenager – the dreams about them
bowing to him! God had put Joseph
through a lot – slavery, false accusations, and imprisonment. God had also exalted Joseph to a place of
glory and splendor as a ruler in Egypt and Joseph was willing to share this
with his repentant brothers.
Pharaoh was
pleased that Joseph was reunited with his family (v. 16) and he insisted that
Joseph’s family in Canaan all return to Egypt so that he could provide for them
(v. 18). At Pharaoh’s command, Joseph gave
his brothers provisions for their journey (v. 21) including new clothes with
Benjamin receiving the lion’s share (v. 22).
Joseph also supplied goods to his father and sent his brothers on their
way (v. 23-24) requesting that they not quarrel on the journey. When the brothers arrived back in Canaan and
told their father the news about Joseph being alive and the ruler over Egypt,
Jacob did not believe them (v. 26). But
when he heard the words that Joseph had said and saw the wagons, Jacob believed
and determined to go and see him (v. 27-28).
Prayer and Journaling
1. In
this chapter we see the Sovereignty of God.
Although people may do wrong things, God assures us that He can use
“evil” to accomplish His good and perfect purposes. God’s ultimate purposes in these chapters
were to save the house of Jacob, not harm Joseph. Joseph saw God’s purposes in his hardships
and he sought to save his family instead of seek revenge. Ask the Lord to reveal to you a hardship that
you have experienced in your life. This
may be something like the death of a family member, marital problems, a
financial stress, a relationship problem, or anything else that God brings to
your thoughts. Ask the Lord to show you
His ultimate purpose in this and how He can take this “evil” and accomplish His
good and perfect purposes. Have you
reacted rightly to this hardship? Are
you trusting in Him? Are you growing
because of it? Do you hold any offense
towards God because of this?
2. The
key to this chapter is forgiveness.
Forgiveness means to set free or to cancel a debt or release from an
obligation. It is a conscience decision
on the part of the offended party to release the offender from the guilt and
offense of the wrong committed. This is
exactly what God has done for us!
Forgiveness also frees the forgiver of anger and bitterness. Thank God for His forgiveness – it was not
free - it cost Him something, it cost Jesus something. Thank Him for being a God who forgives the
repentant! Thank Him for the
relationship you can have with Him because of His forgiveness. Thank Him for the amazing blend of repentance
and forgiveness and how this restores relationships!
3. Ask
the Lord to show you someone in your life who has wronged you and who you need
to forgive. This may be a recent small
wrong or could be a huge wrong from the past.
Then pray a prayer of forgiveness.
Ask the Lord to remove any offense or bitterness that you may have in
your heart towards this person. Then
pray a prayer of blessing for this person.
