A Family Reunion

Introduction

-discuss something along the lines of forgiveness and family bond.

Or, perhaps, discuss how it’s Father’s Day and the best gift a dad could have is his family together and happy. Jacob had lost his favorite son and was grief-stricken beyond comfort. God, as a Father, is able to give the greatest gifts anyone could hope for. Jacob’s gift was waiting for him in Egypt.

I. First Trip to Egypt (42:1-38)

-Jacob hears about grain in Egypt and sends 10 of the brothers to buy it, withholding Benjamin out of fear that harm may befall him (42:1-5)

-Joseph was the guy in charge and he oversaw the selling of food. He, of course, recognized his brothers when they came and bowed down before him (vs. 6-8).

Why didn’t they recognize him? Well, they started believing their own lie (Joseph has been killed), they knew he would have been sold as a slave (not a ruler), and Joseph was dressed in full Egyptian attire, speaking Egyptian with an accent, and ruling the people. The brothers would never have expected to see Joseph in that circumstance, so, they missed it.

-(vs. 9-26). Joseph put his brothers to the test. First, he accused them of being spies. They pleaded and explained that they were from Canaan and there were 12 brothers, they had simply come to buy grain. Joseph, however, put them in prison for 3 days under the accusation of them coming to spy out the land. (perhaps other nations had attempted this already, because the famine was severe everywhere)

After 3 days Joseph came and set all but one free, telling them to not return without the youngest brother. (For all Joseph knew, from his past experience, they could have done something horrible to Benjamin. So, he wants proof that they are telling the truth and that his brother is safe). Apparently, the trip to Egypt brought the memory back of what they did to Joseph for they all felt guilty and Reuben even rebuked them for their actions.

Joseph was overwhelmed with emotion and wept (and intense cry). His brothers have never spoken a kind word to him in all his life. This is the first time he has witnessed them regretting what they did to Joseph. Could time, the sorrow of their father, and their own maturity bring about such a change? Joseph had to be sure. So, he sent all away except for Simeon.

Despite all the evil things his brothers had done, Joseph showed he had already forgiven them. He gave them back all their money and gave extra provisions for their journey. The brothers seem to have matured and so did Joseph. Such a sacrificial, selfless love that he displayed, giving from his heart for their benefit.

-(vs. 27-38) On their journey the brothers opened their sacks to discover a horrifying truth, their money was all there. Instantly, they thought God was trying to punish them for their sin against Joseph. Their fear of punishment was shared by their father. The brothers came home and explained everything that happened and he trembled along with them, saying, “You have taken my children from me. First Joseph, and now Simeon, are no more and you want to take Benjamin from me?”

Reuben took responsibility and offered his protection of Benjamin and if he failed then he would trade his two sons for Benjamin. He guaranteed a safe return for Benjamin and sacrificed his own family for the safety of his youngest brother. But Jacob refused. His fear gripped him, he believed Benjamin would die like his brother and that grief would be the end of Jacob himself. So, he refused.

Isn’t it amazing what grief can do to someone? There was a chance to save Simeon, but in Jacob’s mind, Simeon had already been lost to him. His grief drove him to act in fear and hold Benjamin close instead of acting in faith and saving them both. I cannot imagine losing a child like Jacob did. Clearly, it was a hard thing for him to process.

II. Second and Third Trips to Egypt (43:1-46:7)

-(43:1-15) Well, the brothers dropped the issue for a time. But when the family had eaten nearly all the grain they bought it was time to go back and get more. Jacob wanted to send the brothers but they could not go without Benjamin. Jacob blamed them for disclosing details about their family, but, they were simply honest while in Egypt.

Judah struck a deal with Jacob. Judah would be the primary caretaker of Benjamin and would be held personally responsible for his wellbeing. Finally, Jacob agreed and sent all of them with honey, nuts, and fine perfumes from the land as gifts. They also showed maturity by taking double the money to make up for bringing their original payment back. Jacob then blessed the brothers and prayed for God’s compassion upon them, if he would be bereaved then so be it (vs. 14).

-(43:16-25) Imagine Joseph’s face when his brothers arrived with Benjamin. He quickly made preparations for a feast in his house with his brothers. Joseph’s servant brought the brothers into the house and they were terrified. They just knew this had to be because of the money issue from their first trip. They figured they were going to become slaves to this Egyptian powerhouse. So, upon entering the house, they told the steward what had happened and offered the double payment to rectify the mistake.

The steward shrugged off their concern saying, “Don’t be afraid. Your God has blessed you. I, myself, put the money back in your sacks.” He then brought Simeon back out to them, washed their feet, fed their donkeys, and made preparations for when Joseph would return at noon.

-(43:26-34) Upon Joseph’s arrival, the brothers bowed down before him and presented their gifts from Canaan. But Joseph had one concern on his mind, “Is your aged father alive and well?” They answered yes, which must have brought great relief to Joseph. Then Joseph laid eyes on Benjamin and really took him in. He blessed the boy, saying, “May God be gracious to you.” Seeing his little brother invoked such an emotional response in Joseph that he had to leave the room to weep. After he regained his composure and washed his face he returned that the meal may be served.

Most of the meal proceeded as normal. The Egyptians went and ate in one room while the foreigners ate in a separate room, due to Egypt’s traditions. But the brothers were in for another surprise. They looked up and down the table only to realize that they were all sitting in age order, from oldest to youngest. There are 11 of them, that couldn’t have happened by accident. Joseph then served them from his own table, they got to enjoy the finest food. Not only that, but Benjamin was served a portion 5 times the amount of everybody else. When the brothers got over their shock and surprise they ate freely until they were filled.

-(44:1-13) Joseph was gracious and generous again, filling their food sacks to the max and returning their money to them. But he also gave them another test. He put his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. Joseph sent his steward after them with the accusation that they stole the cup. They were amazed at this turn of events and said, “Search our sacks. If you find it then let that person be taken into judgment.” Much to their surprise, the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. At this revelation they tore their clothes and quickly returned to Egypt to save their baby brother.

-(44:14-34) They fell down at Joseph’s feet to plead for Benjamin’s life. Judah took the lead, for he had given his word to Jacob that would be solely responsible for Benjamin’s welfare. He confessed to Joseph that this must be God’s vengeance on them for their sins. Joseph was going to keep Benjamin as his slave but Judah pleaded with him. He appealed to Joseph’s humanity by saying, “Benjamin is the last son of his mother and is loved by his father. If he is taken from Jacob then he would surely die.” Judah showed his love for his father and his brother by offering himself as a slave in place of Benjamin.

-(45:1-15) That was all that Joseph could handle. He fell apart and cried in front of all of them, so intense was his cry that Pharaoh’s household heard about it. This kind of love and sacrifice was something he had never seen in his brothers. Yet, here they are, matured and changed from when he lived with them. They passed all his tests.

Joseph couldn’t take it anymore, he revealed himself to them in a frenzy, “I am Joseph! Is my dad still alive?” They all lost their voices, they were terrified and confused to realize this was the brother they had betrayed all those years ago. But Joseph put their minds at ease:

Genesis 45:5–8 “And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 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. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 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.”

Joseph and his brothers were overwhelmed at this reunion. There were many tears of joy. And they talked together as a family filled with love, a thing like they had never experienced before.

-(45:16-28) News reached Pharaoh’s ears about Joseph’s brothers. Pharaoh was pleased to provide the best land for all of Joseph’s family to live in, there would be no concern for goods or provisions, Pharaoh would handle the matter personally. So, they packed up with excess of money, food, clothes, and animals.

Joseph’s parting words to his brothers were simple, “Don’t argue on the journey” (vs. 24). Look how we’ve come full circle, Joseph could now joke with his brothers.

At first, Jacob wouldn’t believe what his sons told him about Joseph. But when he heard everything Joseph had told them to say and he saw the wagons and gifts his spirit was lifted and was revived.

-(46:1-7) Jacob paused in Beersheba to offer sacrifices to God where he saw a vision. The Lord called to him and comforted him saying, “Don’t be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. I will be with you the whole time and you will see Joseph again.” So, Jacob brought his entire family to Egypt by the provisions of the Lord and the family was reunited again.

Application/Conclusion

It’s Father’s Day. Gifts for your dad are usually pretty simple. I could get my dad anything relating to golf, hunting, or Christmas and it will be a hit. But have you ever considered what your Heavenly Father wants? What kind of gift could we give that would please Him? Joseph’s story gives us the answer.

Joseph and his brothers forgave each other. God puts a large emphasis on forgiveness. First, that’s why He sent Jesus, to give us the gift of salvation (forgiveness of sins). We then, are called to forgive in the same manner:

Matthew 6:14–15 “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Colossians 3:13 “bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

God’s desire is for His family to be united in love and peace. Yes, sometimes there is strife because of mistakes and sins we commit against each other. Learn to reframe your situation from “look at what my brother did against me” to “look at how God has worked this out through me.” Forgive each other so that God can enjoy His family united. That will bring great blessings to our church, our families, and our nation.