Knowing The Word in Genesis 45:1-15, Joseph Reveals Himself

[Judah’s words at the end of chapter 44 show that Joseph’s brothers have changed, moving Joseph to reveal his identity.]

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. [Joseph’s words leave his brothers dumbfounded, which is a better translation than dismayed. Another reason for his revelation is that he must know about his father. It is one of his overriding concerns.]

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. [The brothers are too terrified to speak, so Joseph affirms who he is by recounting details that only he and they would know.] 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. [Four times Joseph will make the point that this was God’s plan. Joseph’s brothers, meaning to harm him, sold him into Egypt, but in reality God sent him there to save his family from starvation.] 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 [the second point]. [A remnant that preserves life links this story with Noah and the ark.] 8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God [the third point]. He has made me a father to Pharaoh [a chief adviser], and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 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 [the fourth point]. [The real subject of the whole occurrence is God, not the brothers. It was not the brother’s hate but God’s provision that wins out.] Come down to me; do not tarry. 10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen [in the East Nile Delta], 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.’ [In famines, the poor mortgaged their lands or sold their family and even themselves into slavery.] 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 [his dominating concern] 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. [Only Joseph and Benjamin are said to have wept, suggesting the older brothers are too stunned or too distant from Joseph to weep for joy. But at last they will talk, ending 22 years of separation.]