Focal Passage: Genesis 45:1-15
While the final note of the story of Joseph would come when the brothers no longer had the protection of their father after the death of Jacob when Joseph professed his love for them, the climax of the story took place in the revelation of Joseph to his brothers (45:1-15). The fulfillment of the dreams was now complete.
The worst nightmare for the brothers became reality. Not only was Joseph alive, but he was in charge. What was expected never happened. No shouting. No death threats. No multiple ways of destruction. No “I told you so!” Only tears.
Joseph had the power now, not the older brothers. Now was the time for revenge for the pit, the slave caravan, the prison, Mrs. Potiphar, the prison, and all those who “forgot!’ But most of all, it was time to put the brothers in their place for lying and deceiving their father. Yet, it did not come.
Lloyd
Fear was already in the hearts of the brothers. With Benjamin now under arrest for theft and facing prison, the brothers could only imagine the pain that awaited their father.
Pain that they knew was real because of the “death of their brother Joseph” earlier. Pain that came from the guilt because they had caused the “death” of their brother. To lose another brother was unimaginable. They tried to make all the deals they could to not only save Benjamin but save their father from a grief that he could not bear.
All of Joseph’s life pointed toward this moment. Fulfillment was now complete. What would happen? Would judgment be declared upon the brothers? Would punishment be meted out based on all the years of captivity? Would destruction now come to the brothers to face their own “pit?” The climax of a lifetime was upon the brothers, upon Joseph, upon Jacob and upon every reader and hearer of the story! What is the verdict?
Before the verdict can be rendered, however, one must be forced to remember who was in the background of the story. Twice in the travails of Joseph, God declared His presence “with Joseph!” At that moment, it seemed so unlikely. The pain for Joseph was just too great.
How can this be? That “God was with Joseph” was more than could be comprehended. Yet, it was in these moments with Joseph that God foreshadowed what life in a broken sinful world would be.
Whether it would be in the palace in Egypt or on a Cross at Calvary or on our very worst no good very bad day, the sovereign God declared His presence in our lives when it seemed impossible. The story of Joseph was intertwined with the movement of God from his birth home to the pit, to prison, to Potiphar’s house, to prison again, to be “forgotten,” to the palace of Egypt. God was at work!
The verdict? Joseph was so overcome with emotion at the sight of the love of the brothers for both Benjamin and their father, that the only verdict was reconciliation and redemption. What a moment!
It was only the beginning of the work of God, as the world thought that God had abandoned Jesus on a cross much like it appeared that He had abandoned Joseph in a pit. But, no. The sovereign Lord was working out His plan. “The saving of manyy lives.” And, oh! What a plan! B&R
