In this wonderful chapter of the Bible Joseph identified himself to his brothers.  It was a very emotional time for Joseph and his brothers. He cried so loud that the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard him. His brothers were afraid, but he told them, "God sent me here." This was a very touching time of forgiveness. There were lots of questions, but Joseph’s first question was, “Doth my father yet live?” His brothers were so shocked they seemed to give no reply at first. In all of this Joseph lifted up God as the preserver of life. The brothers were the ones who sold him into slavery, but God sent him to this position in Egypt to preserve life. Joseph told his brothers to go quickly and tell Israel that he was alive and that God made him lord over Egypt. He also wanted his father and the rest of his family to come there to live. There would be five more years of famine. The fact that these men were Joseph’s brother’s quickly reached the ears of Pharaoh. He told Joseph to move his family to Egypt and that he would provide the means necessary for the move. Pharaoh also promised to provide for Joseph’s family when they reached Egypt. Joseph gave clothes to his brothers, but he gave Benjamin more than he gave to the others.  He also gave him money. He sent the brethren on their way with this challenge “Do not quarrel on the way.” When the brethren got home they told Israel that Joseph was alive and that he was almost King in Egypt. Israel said, “Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.”        

          Joseph revealed himself to his brothers – Genesis 45: 1-8: Even though Joseph’s brothers had sold him into Egypt, and even though he had gone through slavery and prison because of them, he did not keep hatred in his heart toward his brothers. He practiced forgiveness toward them. He forgave them and showed them kindness. We must also forgive those who wrong us. “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.” (Proverbs 25:21-22) This was a very emotional time for Joseph. His strong emotions here may indicate that He was directed by God to make these arrangements that he had made with his brothers in their past meetings. He could no longer control or hide his feelings so he sent his servants out of the room. When he was alone with his brothers he identified himself to them by saying, “I am Joseph.” Joseph asked his brothers if his father was still alive but they were too frightened to answer. These men thought they would face certain and severe punishment for what they had done to Joseph. The men, in fear, moved away from Joseph. Joseph told them to come near to him. When they came near he again said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt.” He told his brothers not to blame themselves about this, that God sent him before them to preserve life. However, he did not clear them of their sins; he reminded them that they had sold him into Egypt. “Why was Joseph in Egypt? Was it because of the sin of his brothers or because of the plan of God?” The answer is that both options are true. The famine would last 5 more years. Joseph had been sent to Egypt to preserve the family through whom the Messiah would be born. In Egypt God put these people in an area where they could live and grow as a nation and at the same time be a distinct people. Joseph realized that God ruled his life and the life of his family. He said to his brothers, “So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.” (Genesis 45:8)

          Joseph sent his brothers to bring the entire family to Egypt – Genesis 45:9-15: Imagine how Joseph’s brothers felt when he told them, “Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not.” (Genesis 45:9) God made it possible for Israel and his family to live in Goshen with his children and grandchildren. He also could have his sheep, goats, cattle and everything else he owned. This was God’s way of preserving this people as a separate nation. The famine was so sever that if they failed to come they would starve. He told them that they could all tell by what he had said that he really was Joseph. He wanted them to tell their father of the great power he had in Egypt. This was a time of great reunion. He and Benjamin hugged and kissed. Then He “kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.” He showed love to all his brothers, even to those who had been especially cruel to him. It was a great day when Israel learned that his son Joseph was still alive. He learned that his favorite son was providing salvation to his entire family.

Pharaoh instructed Joseph to bring his family to Egypt – Genesis 45:16 -24: Pharaoh and the Egyptians were happy that Joseph’s brothers had come to Egypt. Pharaoh and Joseph sent the brothers home with many gifts for Israel and the rest of the family. “Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan; And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land. Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.” (Genesis 45:17-20) Joseph gave them carts, changes of garments and even money to Benjamin, and “he sent to his father these things: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his father for the journey.” Pharaoh blessed the sons of Jacob for Joseph’s sake. Joseph knew that there might be blame and selfish, unspiritual actions when his brothers left him. He commanded them to guard against this by saying, “See that ye fall not out by the way.” He did not want them quarreling with one another as they went home.

Jacob heard the news and decided to move to Egypt to see Joseph – Genesis 45:24-28: What a day it must have been when Israel heard the good news that Joseph was alive. The Bible says, “They went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father, And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.” (Genesis 45:25-26) When “they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived.” There were, no doubt, many questions asked that these brethren hated to answer. It is interesting that when Jacob had been told that Joseph was dead, he believed that. Now when he is told that Joseph is alive, he does not believe. However, when he heard the message Joseph sent and he saw the gifts then he believed Joseph was alive, though he had not yet seen him. His response was beautiful, “Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.” (Genesis 45:28) When Jacob was in charge there was whining and unbelief. “And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.” (Genesis 42:36) When Israel, the man of God spoke, “Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.” (Genesis 45:28) It is enough! I have been blessed enough! This was a response of faith.

This was a time for honesty and forgiveness in the family of Jacob. It was also a time for difficult discussions. Israel had to make a decision about moving to Egypt when he was an old man. Joseph had to make decisions about forgiving his brothers. We all also need forgiveness. To be forgiven of sins you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus as the Christ (Mark 16:16), repent of all sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10) and be baptized for remission of sins. (Acts 2:38) After baptism remain faithful to God. (Revelation 2:10) There are great blessings that come when we are forgiven of sins and faithful to God!