ETB Genesis 45:1-15

Session #12 - p.109 - Reconcile

The title of this week’s lesson needs to be defined to help us all see from the same perspective.

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) Reconcile

1 a: to restore to friendship or harmony 〈reconciled the factions〉

b: SETTLE, RESOLVE 〈reconcile differences〉

2: to make consistent or congruous 〈reconcile an ideal with reality〉

3: to cause to submit to or accept something unpleasant 〈was reconciled to hardship〉

4 a: to check (a financial account) against another for accuracy

Theological reconciliation is the end of the estrangement, caused by original sin, between God and humanity. John Calvin describes reconciliation as the peace between humanity and God that results from the expiation of religious sin and the propitiation of God's wrath.

How is forgiveness different than reconciliation?

Are the 2 exclusive to each other? Can you have one without the other?

Understand the Context

After remaining loyal to God through years of trying circumstances, Joseph was rewarded. Pharaoh positioned Joseph as second-in-command in Egypt. Thus, the stage was set for Joseph’s reunion and reconciliation with his family. The seven years of abundant harvests were followed by famine. The food shortage was severe, and people from far and wide came to Egypt looking for food (Gen. 41:57).

The famine’s severity eventually reached Canaan, so Jacob sent ten of his sons to Egypt to purchase grain. Joseph’s brothers bowed before him in accord with Joseph’s youthful dreams. Although Joseph recognized them, they failed to perceive his identity. [LifeWay Adults (2024). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2024]

After returning the second time with their brother Benjamin to prove they were not spies, Joseph sets a trap for them to test whether or their attitudes toward one another had changed.

The brothers had changed. They refused to desert Benjamin. All returned to the city with Joseph’s steward after finding the cup in Benjamin’s bag. Judah pleaded to remain as slave in place of Benjamin. This contrast between how he was treated 20+ years ago proves to Joseph how much the brothers had changed an the emotions where overwhelming.

Our passage today picks up the story immediately after this plea for Benjamin and Jacob’s welfare.

Explore the Text

Genesis 45:1–3 ESV

1 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.

v.1

Make everyone go out

Joseph demanded privacy for this personal moment as he revealed his identity to his brothers. It’s possible that he sent his attendants away because he realized that it was unwise for someone in his position to freely express his emotions before people under his rule.

Verse 16 indicates that evidently Joseph’s attendants were aware that Joseph’s brothers had arrived, and they must have reported the fact to Pharaoh. Also, Joseph may have simply wanted this occasion to be reserved for his family members. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Part of being able to reconcile with others needs to be done with only those parties involved. Broadcasting or “posting” the offense beforehand makes it difficult for those you are try to reconcile with to trust your sincerity. Joseph asked everyone to leave out of respect for his brothers and the issue that he was anticipating being able to resolve with them.

v.2

he wept aloud

This is second of three times that Joseph is recorded as weeping about his brothers.

The first was at seeing Benjamin again in Genesis 43:30 “30 Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there.”

From the Hebrews’ perspective their weeping was connected with the voice, whereas their tears were associated with the eyes. Thus, the expression wept aloud more literally means “gave his voice in weeping.”Weeping is a natural and spontaneous expression of strong emotion seen throughout the Old Testament. A person might weep out of joy, sorrow, complaint, repentance, or remorse. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

The first time the reason is given and he does weeps privately.

This second time is still private (only family) but what is the reason?

The Applied Old Testament Commentary Joseph Makes Himself Known (45:1–28)

We can tell from Joseph’s conduct that he had already forgiven his brothers, but full restoration of their relationship had to wait until the brothers confessed their sin and agreed to make amends for it.

This same sequence should hold true for all of the wrongs we endure in life. We ourselves must forgive those who wrong us—immediately and unconditionally (Matthew 6:14–15). However, that alone does not restore the relationship; for full restoration to occur, the one who did the wrong must confess it and do the work of repentance—which is to make things right.

and the household of Pharaoh heard it.

Most of the English translations I read have this phrasing which makes it sound like that the wailing was loud enough to be heard at some distance. Apparently there is enough discrepancies in the Hebrew that a few translations took the context to mean that “news” of or the “the account of” the crying out was hear by Pharoah. Another occasion where I think both could apply. If Pharaoh suddenly heard someone crying while in court or in his own home, he would definitely inquire as to who was making the racket.

v.3

is my father still alive?

This is the first time while talking with the brothers in Egypt that he uses “my father” instead of “your father.”

After identifying himself, Joseph immediately turned his attention to Jacob. Joseph had not seen his father in approximately twenty-two years. In Joseph’s speech to his brothers (vv. 3-13), his father was his dominating concern (see vv. 3,9,13). Joseph had already expressed his anxiety regarding his father’s well-being in 43:7,27. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

As he talked and asked these questions the brother’s countenance must have changed.

they were dismayed

ESV says “dismayed” the quarterly’s CSB has “terrified.”

Joseph’s brothers had treated him wrongly, and he possessed the power to repay evil for evil. The tables had turned. They had held his life in their hands when he was a youth (37:18-20). Now, some two decades later, their lives depended on his mercy. The term rendered dismayed appears elsewhere in the Old Testament to depict the alarm accompanying the day of the Lord, like in Isaiah 13:8. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

We can tell from the rest of the verse they were so emotionally or mentally transfixed that they could not answer him. Up until this point, Joseph has been using an interpreter. Now suddenly he is speaking their language. Part of the shock may have been that they suddenly realize that all that they said while in his presence these past 2 time he has understood completely. That realization coupled with the facts he was declaring would be quite disturbing.

Genesis 45:4–8 ESV

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. 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.

v.4

Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.

We do not read of the 10 brothers ever confessing this to Jacob or telling anyone else about this. This privileged information was only know by these 11 men standing in the room. By stating it this way he solidifies his proclamation of who he is. But he quickly follows it up with a statement removing any blame from them.

Joseph’s next words demonstrated that he only mentioned this for identification purposes because he immediately assured them that God was in charge of how his life had unfolded. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

v.5

do not be distressed or angry with yourselves

Joseph wisely recognized that although his brothers had plotted evil, God had been at work for good in his adverse circumstances. The Hebrew word rendered distressed relates to both physical pain and emotional sorrow. The same verb appears in Genesis 6:6 to depict the grief in the Lord’s heart because of human wickedness.

The term translated angry literally means “to be hot” or “to burn.” The verb is always used in reference to anger. It differs from other Hebrew words for anger in that it stresses the kindling of anger like the kindling of a fire or the heat of that anger once it is kindled. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

In essence, Joseph was telling them, “I do not blame you and do not blame yourselves or let the anger be reignited” for you were acting under God’s directive.

Jesus had a similar encouragement for the disciples when they thought he was a ghost.

Matthew 14:27 “27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.””

for God sent me before you to preserve life

Joseph interpreted his experiences—both good and bad—from a divine perspective. The verb translated sent occurs elsewhere in the Old Testament to describe someone sending another person on a mission. The same verb depicts Israel’s (Jacob’s) sending Joseph on a mission to check on his brothers (Gen. 37:13-14).

Of course, Joseph never returned to his father from that assignment. Instead, as he later recognized, God had directed events, even the ones his brothers meant for evil. As a result Joseph ended up as second-in-authority over all Egypt with the means to preserve many lives, including those of his own family. Joseph had lived out the truth of Romans 8:28. God does work things out to bless those He calls and who choose to pursue His purposes. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

This phrasing is another statement to further solidify Joseph as the type of Christ in Genesis.

God send Joseph to preserve God’s people physically and God sent Jesus to preserve God’s people spiritually.

One for generations, one for eternity, both fully resigned to God’s plan and sovereignty.

The Evidence Bible: Irrefutable Evidence for the Thinking Mind, Notes Chapter 45

Joseph forgives his brothers, the sons of Israel, and tells them that God used their act of betrayal as the means to bring him ahead of them to Egypt, so he could save their lives (v. 5).

Jesus, during his trial before his crucifixion, told Pilate that his authority to sentence Him to death was due only to God’s will. “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above …” (John 19:11). Jesus, too, forgave those who crucified him (Luke 23:34).

v.6-7

Remnant

Verse 7 contains the first reference to what later becomes a significant Old Testament teaching. The word identifies something left over, particularly the Lord’s righteous people after divine judgment. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

and to keep alive for you many survivors

Half the English translations I read have it like the ESV and translating the word with “survivors” pulling from the context of “keep alive” and “preserve.” This phrasing and connotation is repeated later in chapter 50 after Jacob’s death and the “fear” creeps back into their minds. The other half are like the quarterly translating these words with “deliverance” pulling from the context of a remnant and a small group being set apart for God’s purpose. Neither option is something that could be accomplished by man and Joseph acknowledges that he is merely the conduit for this preservation of life, be it Jacob/Israel’s family only or all the other families and nations that will survive because of Joseph’s actions based on God’s guidance.

One commentary I read described the first remnant and the second survivors as two different parts of God’s plan for the nation of Israel.

The Applied Old Testament Commentary Joseph Makes Himself Known (45:1–28)

God’s purpose had two parts: short-range and long-range. God’s short-range purpose was to save lives (verse 5)—the lives of Jacob’s family. God’s long-range purpose was to preserve … a remnant (verse 7)—a “remnant” of Abraham’s descendants (Jacob’s family) who during their time in Egypt would grow into a great nation (Exodus 1:6–7).

Here in these verses God’s plan is fully revealed. He was working for the good of Jacob’s family and their descendants and ultimately—through one of those descendants, Jesus Christ—for the good of the whole world (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). Through all this, then, God’s purpose was to accomplish a truly great deliverance (verse 7).

v.8

it was not you who sent me

Second time he tells the brothers that they were used by God even in their own wickedness and desires.

You sent me here to die, but God brought me here to thrive.

The Open Bible Chapter 45

Father … lord … and a ruler describe three differing functions of Joseph’s high office.

The Moody Bible Commentary c. Joseph Reconciles with His Brothers (45:1–28)

Seeing the providence of God is the key to Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers, as is true for reconciliation between all estranged and hurt people. Although Joseph stated one time that they had sold him as a slave into Egypt (45:4), three times he clarified that in reality it was God who sent him to Egypt (vv. 5, 7, 8) as an act of concern to preserve the family of Israel.

father to Pharaoh

I think the quarterly mentions that this is probably more of a title than a relationship description.

Today we would probably say that Joseph was a “father figure” for Pharaoh in spiritual matters. Not greater, but more mature and capable of guiding those less mature in the ways of God and His wisdom.

Father is a relational or family position, then Lord would be the political position, and ruler would be the governing or royal position. God had elevated Joseph in all these forms or authority and he was now using it to preserve his family for at least the next five years.

Genesis 45:9–15 ESV

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. 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.

v.9

Come down to me; do not tarry

Joseph tells his family to “come down to me.”

Jesus will tell his family to “come up” to me.

v.10-11

your children and your children’s children,

Was this a generational commitment or were they already grandparents?

Joseph assumed that this brothers, like himself had children so this would be Jacob’s grand children. He must not have know that Juda and Asher were already grandfathers themselves.

Gen 46 list Hezron and Hamul as the sons of Perez, the son of Judah. Heber and Malchiel as sons of Beriah, son of Asher.

I will provide for you

Jacob’s family made their living as herdsmen. During the extended famine, grazing land would have virtually been impossible to find. Therefore, Joseph stated that he would provide for his family during the remaining five years of the famine.

Joseph anticipated Jacob’s reluctance to depart the promised land to reside in Egypt. His promise of sustenance helped convince his father to move for the family’s welfare. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Jesus made a similar promise to all believers, “I go and prepare a place for you... that where I am you may be also.”

for there are yet five years of famine to come

Joseph reiterates the urgency and need for Jacob’s family to come to Egypt so they can be provided for by letting them know of God’s plans as revealed in Pharaoh’s dream. This is probably one of those topics that they later “talked with him” about.

v.12-13

now your eyes see

Jesus had to convince the disciples of his true identity as well after the resurrection, which what has happen to Joseph in the eyes of his brothers since he had been “dead to them” for nearly 20 years.

English Standard Version Chapter 45

You must tell my father of all my honor in Egypt, and of all that you have seen.

Joseph knew it would take some convincing for Jacob to come to Egypt and believe he was alive. He gave the brothers words to say and riches to display to help in the process. This was also a part of Joseph’s beginning to reconcile with his father since he also was at fault for allowing Jacob to continue to believe he was dead having never sent word or asking for assistance from Egypt.

Courson in his commentary on this chapter lists several purposes for Joseph’s position in Egypt, the first being to pardon his brothers, then to be able to provide for all his family, then here he is praising God to his father.

Courson’s Application Commentary, Old Testament Volume 1 (Genesis–Job) Genesis 45:12, 13

Tell Dad what you see in me,” he said. Any of you who are fathers know there’s nothing more delightful than hearing someone tell you what you already know: that your kids are great. The Father already knows all about His Son, and yet here’s what we can do to delight His heart: We can talk to Him about His Son. When I take time to talk to the Father about the blessings of His Son—my Savior, Jesus Christ—it blesses His heart immensely. That is why Joseph says, “Go tell Dad everything you’ve seen.”

v.14-15

After that his brothers talked with him.

Genesis 37:4 “4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.”

This “talking with him” is the final bookend for the animosity between the brothers because the story of Joseph. The hostilities are gone and they can talk lovingly and openly with one another again.

This is also the first in a pattern that seems to develop in the people of Israel at first rejecting the leader sent by God and then later coming to accept him.

Courson’s Application Commentary, Old Testament Volume 1 (Genesis–Job) Genesis 45:15 (b)

When Moses attempted to rescue a man being beat up by an Egyptian taskmaster, did the Jews welcome him? No. But when he came to them forty years later as their deliverer, they embraced him.

When Joshua first came on the scene and, along with Caleb, gave a good report concerning the Promised Land, the Jews refused to believe his report. Forty years later, however, it was Joshua who they followed into the Promised Land.

When David first came to his brothers as they quivered before Goliath, they said, “Go back home, runt”—only to later crown him king.

The first time Jesus came and dwelt among His people, they said, “We will not have this Man rule over us.” But the second time He comes, every knee will bow to Him (Romans 14:11).

Apply the Text

BIBLE SKILL

The initiative for reconciliation in the ancient world was typically made in one of two ways. A third party could help the two estranged parties reconcile, or an alienated person could take the first step.

In Joseph’s reunion with his brothers, who took the initiative to seek reconciliation?

2 Corinthians 5:19 “19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”

Who took the initiative to restore our broken relationship with God? In seeking reconciliation with us, God, the injured party, took the first step.

Matthew 5:23–24 “23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

Is there some person with whom you need to take the initiative in seeking reconciliation?

Pray: Praise God for His faithfulness to forgive our sins and for providing the Holy Spirit to guide us. Pray specifically for those who need to experience reconciliation with others.