Joseph Forgives his Brothers. And Cries a Lot. - Genesis 45

Click here to read Genesis 45

v7- God sent Joseph to Egypt to fulfill his promise and save the covenant community of Abraham.

v9 - God made Joseph ruler of Egypt.
Joseph weep #3

Joseph is moved by Judah's willingness to sacrifice himself for his brother.

Joseph sends all the Egyptians away.

With no interpreter present, Joseph would have been able to speak of his brother's sins toward him without anyone overhearing. It is an act of grace on his part that he kept their wrongdoing between them.

His brothers are still terrified as he reveals himself to them. This is understandable. There is no pinning down this unstable guy with authority to kill them as far as they know.

Joseph's revelation reminds me of Jesus resurrection and the difficult time people had believing it.

Joseph completely forgives his brothers.
Joseph gives credit to God for sending him to Egypt, not blame to his brothers. He is in Egypt with purpose, and according to God's plan.

Joseph does not even point to his good comfortable life as a reason he is not angry. He points only to God and his plan. God had a plan in his prosperity as well as his imprisonment.

Joseph invited his whole family to live in Goshen, where he will provide for them. This is where the Israelites live during Moses' time.

He hugs his brothers during weep#4.
Pharaoh sends Joseph's brothers with a personal message to get his family and bring them back so they can be cared for in Egypt.

Joseph gives Benjamin five new sets of clothing. A reminder of the preferential coat perhaps?

"Don't worry about your belongings. The best of Egypt will be yours." - and when they leave Egypt with Moses, they take the spoils with them.

Israel receives his son back, like the father of the prodigal.