Genesis 45
by Pastor Mark Hudson
We are reading one of the most emotionally charged, poignant, and profound chapters of the Bible. Yet also one of the most profound expressions of God’s providence and sovereignty. He shows again how all things work according to His plan. I would think many of you have heard sermons on this passage. We will not go through all the steps leading up to this point. The last event was Judah’s impassioned speech pleading with Joseph.
Joseph, dressed as a head of state, covered with Egyptian make-up, commands all the Egyptians to leave the room. Everyone must have been shocked. Joseph does not just weep, he bawls out loud. He gives voice to his weeping and his crying is so loud the Egyptians, the household of Pharaoh hears the crying. They all must have been alarmed. In the Hebrew dialect his brothers speak, this august political leader of the most advanced country in the area, says something they never expected to hear, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?”
No one can imagine the emotions ricocheting in their hearts and minds. The brothers must have thought: “What? Who? How? Are we dead men? I can’t believe it is Joseph. We are in so much trouble. He will give us what we deserve? But how does Joseph become the leader only under Pharaoh? I can’t see straight.” Well, they couldn’t even talk they were so surprised. They are face to face with their brother Joseph. They could barely say his name before and never admitted what they did to him to their father. Now it was all going to come back to them with justice. And no one pleads for justice for themselves.
What would you expect from Joseph if you were one of the brothers? I assumed they expected a command like, “Guards! Arrest these men.” Or “Now you will suffer for what you have done to me. You will see what it is like to be in prison. And let’s see if you can get out like I did.” Or “You rotten liars. This is how you treat a brother, your father, and how you represent God?” Well, they heard nothing of the sort. They heard a tender, compassionate, welcoming voice, “Come near to me, please.” They came near but were they looking for a knife in his hand? Did they wonder when and how they would die in Egypt?
Joseph talks about God more than he talks about their sin or how he got in his position. I can’t imagine how forgiving Joseph is at this point. The very one who was treated so unfairly by so many people, is now telling his lying brothers how God is so good. Joseph wants them to be reassured that God is for life (life and death is a prominent theme in this section of Genesis).
Amazingly Joseph is reassuring to his brothers. Joseph does not mince words about what happened. But notice how he understands why the affliction and trouble in his life happened. Notice the “you sold/God sent” in v. 5. Joseph, with eyes of faith, realizes God used the hatred and jealousy of his brothers, the false accusation of Potiphar, the delay of his release from prison, and all the injustice, loneliness, alienation, and wrongs in his life to “preserve life for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.
He concludes, “So it was not you who sent me here, but God.” This is what Acts 3 teaches.
In v. 13, “Whom you delivered over God . . . glorified His servant Jesus
v. 14 “You denied the Holy and Righteous One
- 15 “You killed he Author of life Whom God raised from the dead
You can see this all throughout the Bible. God always overcome any opposition to His plans whether people work for Him or against Him. In the cross, those who crucified Jesus Christ, did this out of the sinful inclinations of their heart. They acted out their rebellion against God. And yet, they accomplished what God wanted to be done. Yet those Jewish leaders were not obeying God in joyful submission. These leaders acted out of a spite-filled heart, yet they did what God wanted done. In fact, what God wills to be done, will be accomplished. God has a million reasons (or more) why your spouse died, your parent died, your income is what it is, etc. God is accomplishing His purpose in and through pain and joy.
When we think of forgiveness there is not always reconciliation. But in this case, Joseph tells them to dwell in Goshen, “there I will provide for you. . . so that you and your household, and all that you have, do not come to poverty” (v. 11). Joseph is always thinking ahead. Joseph is already planning to keep his family alive by bringing them to Egypt. He loves his brothers and hugs them. Afterwards his brothers talked with him. Would I love to hear that conversation.
In an oft repeated theme, we see a non-believing head of state providing for God’s work. Pharaoh gives Joseph’s brothers a group of wagons to bring back Joseph’s family, especially Joseph’s father. Joseph does not ask Pharaoh for a favor. Rather, Pharaoh, offers these wagons and provisions to Joseph’s brothers.
What God orchestrated in the selfish behavior is not only keeping God’s chosen people alive but also many Egyptians. What would have happened if Joseph was not in Egypt? Would the patriarchal family scatter?