Explore the Bible
By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
REUNITED
Genesis 45:1–15
Revealed (1–4)
Judah’s heartfelt plea for Benjamin so moved Joseph that he ordered everyone except his unsuspecting brothers to leave the room. He could no longer control his emotions. As his assistants, interpreters and other officials left the room he declared to his brothers that he was Joseph and immediately asked them if his father was still alive.
His brothers could not answer him. They stood before Joseph silent in speechless terror. They were overcome with disbelief in their minds and fear in their hearts. They must have wondered what Joseph would do to them.
Through his tears Joseph noticed their paralyzing fear. He invited them to come closer to him. He told them that he was the one whom they had sold into Egypt. By clarifying his identity he intended to comfort his brothers but instead he must have increased their fear. The family secret was no longer a secret.
Remnant (5–8)
Noticing the absolute terror on his brothers’ faces Joseph sought to calm them. He stated that it was actually God who had sent him to Egypt to preserve for them a remnant on earth. Joseph understood that God had been orchestrating the circumstances of his life to fulfill His purposes. His brothers were responsible for Joseph’s suffering, but God had used his suffering to accomplish His divine plan.
Not a hint of reproach was spoken, only encouragement. It was evident Joseph had already forgiven his brothers. Four times Joseph stated God sent him to Egypt. Joseph had spent the last two decades praying, thinking and rethinking what had been going on in his life. And God had granted him wisdom. God had given him wisdom to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams and God had given him wisdom to discern the divine plan in the actions of his brothers.
Joseph believed God works His will in and through the actions of all people. He understood that every episode of his life’s story was under God’s direct rule. This is the doctrine of divine providence.
Joseph was not giving his brothers a theological lecture to set them straight but rather sought to comfort their fearful hearts.
It is encouraging to know the sins of his brothers, though they had caused great harm to Joseph, their father and themselves, had not thwarted God’s plan but had been used to bring it about.
Reunion (9–13)
Having calmed his brothers with the comfort of the knowledge of God’s providence and forgiveness, Joseph told them to go to Jacob and bring him down to him quickly. Joseph set in motion plans for a reunion with his father. He arranged for them to live in the very fertile land of Goshen.
Joseph instructed his brothers to tell his father about how God had made him lord over all of Egypt. He wanted his father to know that he could take care of him and all of the family.
Restored (14–15)
Here we see emotional reconciliation with all 11 brothers. It was time for honest expressions of love and forgiveness. Joseph embraced his little brother Benjamin and wept on his neck as Benjamin also wept on Joseph’s neck. Tears of joy flowed as Joseph kissed all his brothers and wept upon them.
Because hidden sin had been exposed and dealt with and forgiveness had been granted, mercy and truth met together. The guilt departed. A joyful love enveloped all of them. And they talked and talked and talked. The 12 of them had 20 years of time to make up for.
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