March 2, 2025 – Bad Things, Good People: Part 2 – Genesis 45:1-15, 24-28
In Genesis 45:1-15, 24-28, Joseph finally reveals his identity to his brothers, who had sold him into slavery years earlier, causing them great shock and fear; he assures them that he forgives them and that God used their evil actions to bring about good, ultimately arranging for them to come to Egypt to survive a famine; Joseph instructs them to return to Canaan and bring their father Jacob to Egypt to live with him, and the chapter concludes with Joseph’s brothers expressing their joy and relief at the news, signifying a reconciliation between them and Joseph.
Key points:
Joseph’s Revelation:
Joseph, now a powerful official in Egypt, reveals himself to his brothers, causing them to be terrified and unable to speak.
Forgiveness and God’s Plan:
Joseph assures his brothers that he does not hold a grudge and that God used their actions to save many lives during the famine.
Family Reunion:
Joseph instructs his brothers to return to Canaan and bring their father Jacob to Egypt to live with him.
Emotional Response:
Jacob’s brothers are overjoyed and relieved to learn that Joseph is alive and well, and they eagerly agree to bring their father to Egypt.
Genesis 45:1-15, 24-28
Genesis 45:1-15
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers
45 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 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. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8 So it was not you who sent me here but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh 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; come down to me; do not delay. 10 You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 11 I will provide for you there, since there are five more years of famine to come, so that you and your household and all that you have will not come to poverty.’ 12 And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. 13 You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” 14 Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them, and after that his brothers talked with him.
Genesis 45:24-28
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
24 Then he sent his brothers on their way, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Do not quarrel[a] along the way.”
25 So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. 26 And they told him, “Joseph is still alive! He is even ruler over all the land of Egypt.” He was stunned; he could not believe them. 27 But when they told him all the words of Joseph that he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. 28 Israel said, “Enough! My son Joseph is still alive. I must go and see him before I die.”
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