Jacob has been testing his brothers on their return to Egypt. They have met his tests, reassuring him of their concern for Benjamin and their father. The ten seem to have matured into stable men of integrity. Of particular importance is Judah's desperate offer to take Benjamin's place as slave.
Genesis 45: 1-2, Joseph overcome
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, "Have everyone leave my presence!" So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh's household heard about it.
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, "Have everyone leave my presence!" So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh's household heard about it.
A third time Joseph breaks away and weeps. His sobs can be heard throughout the compound. The passage conveys considerable emotion, a mixture of shock and longing.
Genesis 45: 3-8, Joseph revealed
Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still living?"
But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
"So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
Joseph assures them of a concept that may be new even to him -- God has planned this all along.
Genesis 45: 9-13, Bring my father to Egypt
Joseph has reached a position of considerable power and wealth. He asks that the family join him in Egypt, where they will be safe from the famine -- of which five years are still to come.
Genesis 45: 14-15, Joseph embraces Benjamin and the others
Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.
The Pharaoh warmly welcomes Joseph's brothers and invites their families to immigrate to Egypt.
Genesis 45: 21-24, Gifts given
So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey.
Genesis 45: 25-28, Good news for Jacob
So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. They told him, "Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt." Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, "I'm convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."
Genesis 45: 9-13, Bring my father to Egypt
Now hurry back to my father and say to him, `This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don't delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me--you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.'
"You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly."
Joseph has reached a position of considerable power and wealth. He asks that the family join him in Egypt, where they will be safe from the famine -- of which five years are still to come.
Genesis 45: 14-15, Joseph embraces Benjamin and the others
Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.
In the reunion, Joseph hugs and weeps with Benjamin and then embraces his brothers. Afterwards there is communion, conversation, reconciliation.
Genesis 45: 16-20, Joseph's family welcomed
When the news reached Pharaoh's palace that Joseph's brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, `Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.' You are also directed to tell them, `Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.'"
Genesis 45: 16-20, Joseph's family welcomed
When the news reached Pharaoh's palace that Joseph's brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, `Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.' You are also directed to tell them, `Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.'"
The Pharaoh warmly welcomes Joseph's brothers and invites their families to immigrate to Egypt.
Genesis 45: 21-24, Gifts given
So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey.
Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, "Don't quarrel on the way!"
Notice the final admonition from Joseph! The Hebrew word translated "quarrel" is unclear here. It is raw-gaz' and means to be unsettled, troubled. Joseph could be telling them not to be disturbed or distressed -- the time of trials is over -- there won't be anyone following them and accusing them of stealing silver!
(NIV footnote: In verse 22 the amount of silver is about 7 1/2 pounds. This is a considerable amount.)
Genesis 45: 25-28, Good news for Jacob
So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. They told him, "Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt." Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, "I'm convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."
Jacob, of course, finds this all hard to believe. But now he will go down to Egypt, not Sheol, to see his son!
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