Lesson 91: Genesis 45: 1-15 Twice Revealed

Looking Back and the Here and Now:

Genesis 45:1- 5-

English Standard Version (Chapter 45)

45 Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it.

3 And 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.4 So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.

5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life

We are backing the Bible bus up to last week and the reveal to see some important points.

1. Joseph’s brothers were literally “terrified” or “alarmed” at this news. This is news from beyond the grave for them. He who was dead, yet here he is speaking to them in the flesh. And, that is what faith does in the realm of the Bible. Even if Joseph had not been standing there, the brothers got the message that they had done wrong and that is why they are being treated like this. Check out what the Bible says:

English Standard Version (Chapter 11)

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

2. This scene is used by the preaching deacon in Acts 7, Stephen the Martyr. The Jews who were listening to Stephen knew full well the story of Joseph. It says in this passage that this is really the second reveal to them, but they never saw him coming the first time when he spoke with them and ate with them. It was this second time that their eyes and hearts were opened: Acts 7:13- “ And the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers and Joseph’s family became known to the Pharaoh.”

By the way, this could have easily been Stephen’s first and last shot at preaching, and he was stoned on the spot. Its a radical message!

3. Though the reveal of Joseph to the brothers was supposed to bring about comfort but the result was opposite. So, he has them to draw near to make the message as plain as possible and to give comfort to his brothers. They did draw near and they were told not to be angry with themselves. This trip to a new life in Egypt was all from God to preserve the family.

4. The number of family who came to Egypt was 75. Acts 7:14

Acts 7:14 (LEB)

So Joseph sent and summoned his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five persons in all.

Though this was discussed briefly last week, it’s good to get this number nailed down. Genesis 46:26 states that 66 people accompanied Jacob to Egypt, not including, Jacob, Joseph, and the two sons of Joseph. Translators apparently added 9 wives as 46:26 does not include the wives. That is because the wives of Judah and Simeon had died and Joseph’s wife was already in Egypt. There were 9 wives that went down and not 12. It’s not a humongous deal, but to think that 75 or 66 became two or three million who left Egypt. Your family really does count, every one of them.

5. The preservation of life: God moves a family because one has paved a way for life that lasts. This preservation is really a deliverance. It was even a good deal to have Jacobs family show up because they not only did the Egyptians dirty work, the family had financial class. They had potential. The word preserve could mean anything from pickling or preserves to saving from injury. Literally, raw flesh is saved from decomposition. It’s a completed word with no unfinished task. The job of preserving has been done and it was all up to God, not Joseph.

The Invitation You cannot Refuse 45:6-9

English Standard Version (Chapter 45)

6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.

8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 9 Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry.

Here is a time reference for us to consider. The famine has been going on two years now, and there are 5 years to go. Then it says God is preserving a remnant on the earth, and you will survive- vs 7”many survivors”! Egypt according to this account was doing no plowing or harvesting at all- vs. 6

Don’t try to take credit for this

Verse 8 says it is all the Lord and not man. God himself sent Joseph into Egypt. God had made Joseph a father figure, verse 8, a lord over Pharaoh’s house, same verse, and ruler over all the land. In other words, Joseph is in control.

The invitation is, since I am lord over all of this, come on down. Don’t waste time! We are thinking take it!

English Standard Version (Chapter 45)

10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, and your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 11 There I will provide for you, for there are yet five years of famine to come, so that you and your household, and all that you have, do not come to poverty.’

12 And now your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth that speaks to you. 13 You must tell my father of all my honor in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.”

14 Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his neck. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him.

This is an instance when going or stepping down has it’s rewards. The way up can sometimes be down? That is the message here. Usually the believer does not return to the world of Egypt to thrive. Usually we think of Egypt as a step backwards, but this is an exception. There are a few more exceptions about Egypt, such as in the life of Christ when Joseph takes Mary and the baby Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod. There are Bible prohibitions are are always “no!” Then there those that we must seek His leading and guiding. What does God want?

Joseph’s message to his family is there are:

1. Five more years of famine. Come down here, you don’t have to stay and end up in poverty.

2. There is a place for all you have here. No one and nothing will be turned away. This not the end of the road.

3. I want my family to be here with me and when you reside here it will be with all of the honor of Joseph upon you!

4. Tell Dad of everything you have seen and move him to Egypt. This is not quite like being a snowbird, but it is moving south.

5. Family time- vs.15 Kiss and talk. Hugs and hogs. Anyway, it’s time to make up for lost time. This is a story to good to be true. But that is the way of the Lord who can do exceeding, abundantly above all that we can ask or think, according to the power that works within us! Ephesians 3:20,21.