The Hand Behind the Hurt

As you look upon the screen this morning, do any of you recognize this gentleman? You may not recognize his face, but I’m confident that many of you have heard his heart.

In 1873, this gentleman, a successful lawyer in Chicago, received a telegram from his wife that contained only two words: “Saved alone.” Just days earlier, their four daughters had drowned when the ship carrying them to Europe sank in the Atlantic. He immediately set sail to join his grieving wife.

As his ship crossed the very waters where his daughters had perished, Horatio Spafford, penned the words that would become a favorite hymn of many “It Is Well with My Soul.”

Have congregation sing 1st verse and chorus with you acapella...then PRAY!

Think about that: in the very place of his deepest hurt, Spafford testified to God’s sovereign hand.

He could not see the full picture, but he trusted that even in tragedy, God was at work weaving a greater story.

Transition to Genesis 44–45

That’s the same kind of perspective we see from Joseph in Genesis 45.

After years of betrayal, slavery, and prison, he looks his brothers in the eye and says, “It was not you who sent me here, but God.”

Just as Spafford reframed his grief through the lens of God’s sovereignty, we see Joseph reframes his suffering—not as wasted pain, but as part of God’s saving plan.

Last week in Genesis 44 the brother’s were put to a final test...

The chapter ended with Judah’s heartfelt plea, offering himself in Benjamin’s place.

And now Genesis 45 bursts open with Joseph’s tears and his revelation: behind all the hurt, there was a hand guiding it all.

Genesis 45 is climax of the Joseph narrative, the plot has been boiling up to this pivotal point when the curtain is pulled back and the brothers and Jacob finally see the truth:

Main Point: God Orchestrates Our Life’s Events for His Greater Purpose.

God was weaving it all together for redemption, reconciliation, and revival.

We see four ways God works in the life events of Joseph and his family to bring about His greater purpose.

God’s Purpose Redeemed Joseph’s Pain (1-15)

The Collapse of Restraint (1-2)

Genesis 45:1 “Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried, “Have everyone go out from me.” So there was no man with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers.”

Joseph’s twenty years of separation, grief, and emotional restraint finally break open.

He weeps so loudly that even Pharaoh’s household hears about what happens here.

From Genesis 37 onward, every twist of betrayal, slavery, false accusation, and imprisonment has been leading to this moment.

What looks like chaos in Joseph’s life is revealed as orchestration in God’s plan.

The dam of emotion bursts not because Joseph lost control, but because God’s purpose had reached its appointed time: reconciliation and restoration were now possible.

Joseph sees the change in his brothers and what he longed for...Reconciliation is beginning, his family is on the way to being restored, and Joseph’s heart is finally beginning to rest.

Yet what makes this moment so powerful is not only the reunion itself, but the perspective Joseph brings to it.

His Theology Informs His Reality ( 3–8)

Genesis 45:3 “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.”

When Joseph reveals himself, his brothers are paralyzed with dread.

dismayed = is really a weak translation of this word...the NIV translates it best with terrified...

You can understand why they were paralyzed with fear at this moment...if this is true, the one we sold into slavery now has the power to kill us all...

They could not believe it, so Joseph told them something that only he and they would know...

Genesis 45:4 “Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come closer to me.” And they came closer. And he said, “I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.”

This had to send shivers down their spines...He hadn’t forgotten what they did to him...now we’re done for...none of us are getting out of here alive...he has every right to eliminate us...

Notice Joseph’s heart!

There’s no vengeance, no retaliation, no returning evil for evil...

He has the power, the means, and the opportunity to exact justice...How can he just let this go?

Joseph interprets his suffering through the lens of divine sovereignty.

Exegetical Anchor (vv. 5, 7, 8, 9):

Joseph repeats a single theological refrain four times:

“God sent me before you to preserve life” (v. 5)

“God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant” (v. 7)

“It was not you who sent me here, but God” (v. 8)

“God has made me lord of all Egypt” (v. 9)

Pastoral Exhortation:

This is where faith meets life… Isaiah 55:8–9 ““For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Joseph could have lived in bitterness, but he saw God’s greater plan of grace and forgiveness...

There is no room in our hearts for bitterness and anger when we allow God’s greater plan of grace and forgiveness to rule them...

Even when evil is perpetrated against us, our theology tells us God is always doing more than we can see.

Exegetical Anchor (v. 7):

The phrase “to preserve for you a remnant” echoes covenant language.

Joseph saw his role in God’s big picture...it was about salvation history.

God was preserving the line through which Messiah would come.

Joseph’s theology was rooted in God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Exegetical Anchor (v. 8):

“You did not send me here, but God.”

Joseph does not deny their sin, but he refuses to let their sin have the final word.

Here we see God’s sovereignty and human responsibility converging.

God’s perfect and holy plan overruled their sinful and evil plans.

They promoted harm...God provided hope!

God’s sovereignty means our suffering at the hand of others, and our sinful responses and failures and don’t have the final word.

He can redeem even our worst choices.

God redeemed Joseph’s pain...but He also redeemed his brothers sinful plotting

What we see from Joseph is when we’ve been wronged by others, forgiveness is not pretending evil didn’t happen—it’s trusting that God’s purposes are bigger and letting go of the desire for retaliation.

When life hurts, Genesis 45:8 reminds us that God is not absent.

He is weaving purposes we cannot yet see.

How would life be different for us if were to consistently reframe our pain the same way?

Romans 8:28–29 NASB95

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

Romans 8:28–29 is not a “spiritual pill” for hard times; it is a theological anchor that reframes our reality.

Like Joseph, we are called to interpret our pain through the sovereignty of God, trusting that He is weaving purposes we cannot yet see.

Because Joseph interpreted his situation through the lens of God’s sovereignty, he is able to forgive his brothers and shows it!

His Forgiveness Brings An Embrace of Reconciliation (9–15)

Without Joseph’s intervention, Jacob and the rest of clan would surely die because of the famine.

Joseph’s Urgency (vv. 9–11):

Joseph commands his brothers to return quickly to Jacob: “Hurry and go up to my father…”

Joseph’s doing everything he can to show his brothers he forgives them...he wants quick restoration of the entire family.

He promises to take care of them by giving them the land of Goshen...most fertile land in Egypt...they would still be here 400 years later in the Exodus...

Genesis 45:11 ““There I will also provide for you, for there are still five years of famine to come, and you and your household and all that you have would be impoverished.” ’”

Joseph’s command, “Hurry and go up to my father,” reveals not only his eagerness for reconciliation but also his awareness of God’s providential timetable.

Joseph knew there was five more years of famine and his family needed provisions and protection...impoverished = lit = to be robbed of one’s possessions.

His forgiveness wasn’t forced, it is real.

He shows his forgiveness in tangible ways in the provisions, promised protection, and a place in Goshen.

In this way, Joseph’s personal act of grace becomes the very channel through which God preserves the covenant family.

v12-13 — the brothers still can’t believe what they are hearing, so Joseph assures them this is all real!

my mouth speaking to you...before he had used an interpreter...not any longer.

my father 2x

Joseph’s Forgiving Embrace (vv. 14–15):

Years of pent up emotions come streaming forth as reconciliation is happening.

This is a striking reversal of Genesis 37:4, where “they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms.”

Genesis 45:15 “He kissed all his brothers and wept on them, and afterward his brothers talked with him.”

This is the visible sign that God was working on everyone.

Joseph moved toward them in forgiveness and opened the door to restored fellowship.

In Joseph’s tears and embrace we see a shadow of Christ, who moved toward us in love, bore our griefs, and through His cross opened the way to reconciliation with God and with one another.

Transition Statement:

Joseph’s forgiveness shows he has moved on from his hurt and he desired to be a channel for God’s blessing...

Now the circle widens...

God’s Gracious Provisions Extend Through Pharaoh (16-20)

Exegetical Anchors

• Pharaoh’s Delight (v. 16): “When the report was heard in Pharaoh’s house, ‘Joseph’s brothers have come,’ it pleased Pharaoh and his servants.”

This is striking. Egyptians despised shepherds (Gen 46:34), yet Pharaoh rejoices over Joseph’s family.

God is orchestrating events so that even cultural prejudice is overturned.

Just think about how this can impact our time right now...

God softens hearts of even the most unlikely people...the king of Egypt.

• Pharaoh’s Invitation (vv. 17–18): “I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat the fat of the land.”

This is not bare survival but lavish provision.

God orchestrates abundance, not scarcity.

God is never stingy with His grace...he pours it out abundantly.

What looks like Pharaoh’s generosity is actually God’s hand ensuring His covenant family thrives.

• Pharaoh’s Resources (vv. 19–20):

Pharaoh orders Joseph to send wagons, bring the family, and not worry about possessions because Egypt will supply everything.

“Don’t worry about your possessions, because you will be furnished here with the best of Egypt”...

God’s abundant grace often arrives through channels we never could have scripted.

Transition: As the narrative continues, we see that His blessings do not stop with provision from Pharaoh’s hand. Once again Joseph shows his desire for full restoration...

God’s Blessings Flow through Forgiveness (21-23)

Exegetical Anchors

Provision for the Journey (v. 21): “The sons of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the command of Pharaoh, and gave them provisions for the journey.”

Joseph personally equips his brothers for the road ahead.

He doesn’t just release them from their guilt; he ensures they have what they need to move forward.

Gifts of Grace (v. 22): Genesis 45:22 “To each of them he gave changes of garments, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments.”

Joseph exceeds Pharaoh’s directive by outfitting them with extravagant gifts of clothing (v. 22).

Joseph demonstrates that he is fully capable of performing the guarantees made to the family throughout the long famine.

I think the fact that Joseph gave them clothing signifies the time for mourning is over...time for new clothes of restoration!

Jacob tore his clothes in Gen 37:34 as a sign of mourning.

The brothers did the same in Gen 44:13...as a sign of deep sorrow.

Blessing for the Father (v. 23):

Joseph ensures Jacob himself will see the abundance of Egypt and believe the message.

The lavish provision—grain, bread, and sustenance—confirms that God’s orchestration is not about survival alone but about abundance.

Forgiveness and restoration overflow beyond the brothers to the father, touching the whole family.

Christ-Centered Summary

Joseph’s forgiveness flowed into tangible blessing—garments, provisions, and abundance. In the same way, Christ’s forgiveness flows into every spiritual blessing:

Eph 1:3.

Ephesians 1:3 NASB95

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

Jesus not only cancels our debt but clothes us in His righteousness.

He provides for our journey and pours out grace abundantly.

Forgiveness is never the end of the story; it is the beginning of blessing.

God orchestrates even the wounds of betrayal so that forgiveness becomes the channel of His greater purpose.

Transition: Now we see how God brings life back to Jacob’s heart.

God’s Restoration Revives Jacob’s Spirit (24-28)

Exegetical Anchors

v. 24 — Genesis 45:24 “So he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the journey.””

Joseph knows his brothers must confess the truth to Jacob.

Old guilt could easily resurface, leading to blame and division.

But God orchestrates even this moment—Joseph’s command ensures unity so that reconciliation is not undone by strife.

The Brothers’ Report (v. 26): Genesis 45:26 “They told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and indeed he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” But he was stunned, for he did not believe them.”

The text says Jacob was stunned—literally, his heart “grew numb,” as if it stopped.

This is more than disbelief; it is the shock that paralyzes, the kind of news that makes the body shut down.

Jacob is so overwhelmed he cannot even process the good news. Sometimes God’s grace is so astonishing that it feels unbelievable at first.

The Revival of Spirit (v. 27): Genesis 45:27 “When they told him all the words of Joseph that he had spoken to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived.”

Jacob’s weary heart, long deadened by grief, is brought back to life.

This is resurrection language: to come alive again, to be renewed in hope and strength.

God orchestrates not only external provision but internal renewal—reviving faith where despair once reigned.

The Confession of Faith (v. 28): Genesis 45:28 “Then Israel said, “It is enough; my son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.””

Jacob, is now called Israel signaling his role as the covenant bearer...

His confession—“It is enough”—shows contentment and trust.

God has orchestrated events beyond his imagination, and now he rests in God’s purpose.

Christ-Centered Summary

Jacob’s heart revived when he heard his son was alive.

Our hearts revive because God’s Son is alive.

The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate “Joseph is still alive” moment—the news that turns numb hearts into living faith.

The same God who preserved life through Joseph now gives eternal life through Christ.

Transition: God orchestrated every aspect of this narrative for His greater purpose...regardless of the scars God’s hand can change our story...

Special Music: Touch of the Master’s Hand (If music doesn’t happen use illustration below:)

At an old country auction, a battered violin was brought forward. Its strings were slack, its finish scarred, its sound forgotten. The auctioneer asked for a bid—one dollar, two, maybe three—but no one wanted it. Then a man stepped forward, picked it up, tightened the strings, and began to play. Suddenly the room filled with music—rich, beautiful, alive. When he finished, the bids soared into the thousands. The violin hadn’t changed in condition—it was still worn and scarred—but in the hands of a master, its value was redeemed."

"And so it is with us. Left to ourselves, scarred by sin, worn down by life, we may feel worthless. But when the Master takes us in His hands, He restores, redeems, and brings forth beauty we never imagined.

What changed the violin? Not its condition, but whose hands it was in. What changes us is not our effort, but the touch of the Master’s hand."

Life Lesson: God’s Masterful Hand Turns our Scars Into Blessings

Joseph’s story is not just history—it’s a template. God orchestrates all of life’s events—yours, mine, and ours—for His greater purpose.

His aim is always bigger than survival; it is transformation into Christ’s image and participation in His mission.

Just like God redeemed Joseph’s pain, He can redeem ours.

That violin looked worthless, but in the Master’s hands, its scars became the backdrop for beauty. Joseph’s years of betrayal and prison were not wasted—they became the very means by which God saved lives.

Just as Joseph’s theology informed his reality, so can ours.

Joseph could say, “God sent me before you” because he believed God’s sovereign hand was at work.

The violin’s value wasn’t in its appearance but in whose hands it rested.

Our reality changes when we see life through the lens of God’s providence.

Just as Joseph learned to forgive, so can we.

Joseph didn’t hold his brothers’ sin against them.

He released them because he trusted God’s greater plan.

In the same way, the violin didn’t protest its scars—it simply yielded to the touch of the master.

Forgiveness is our yielding, letting God bring harmony out of brokenness.

Just as Jacob’s heart was revived, so can ours.

When Jacob heard Joseph was alive, his spirit revived.

When the crowd heard the violin sing, their hearts were stirred.

And when we place our lives in the hands of Christ, the Master, He revives our weary hearts and fills them with a new song.

Let’s go out from here trusting God sovereignly cares for His people, let’s learn to forgive freely, and strive to consistently live as agents of His greater purpose.