Genesis Chapter 45

GENESIS 

CHAPTER 

45

1. 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.

(Genesis chapter 45 verses 1 to 3)

As in the case of Joseph we might try to hind behind our role or behind our self image and build a fortress so that nobody can come in, not even God. In the end it becomes a very lonely world, but once we have closed the door only we can open it up. God never forces us to open the door so that He can take His place in our life. God loves us so much that He gives us time to get over the situation and reconcile with Him again. Other times we may use our public self that means the way others know us, to project a false image of our selves, one that says all is well in our lives, but in reality we are not well at all. However God knows us for, who we are and moreover is closer to us than our own skin. Therefore if there is anybody with whom we can open up our lives to and build a relationship with it is God, who is more reliable than even our closest friend, mother, father, wife or even husband.



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.

(Genesis chapter 45 verses 4 to 8)



Joseph explains to his brothers and even to us, that at times, or most of the time as a fact, we are not aware that God is in control of particular situations. We may think that  the outcome achieved is our doing, however God is in control and is always working on our behalf. He loves us so much, that He can even change a seemingly bitter situation to a sweet and loving one. He sees the big picture and is aware of what is happening, what will happen, and what is going to happen in both present past and future.



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, will not come to poverty.'

(Genesis chapter 45 verses 9 to 10)


On having made his brothers aware of his true identity, Joseph sent them to share the good news with their father, to inform him that Joseph was still alive and that the family was invited to reunite with him in Egypt. As Christians God is also urging us to the spread the good news that He is still alive in our lives today now and forever. God is also inviting us to have fellowship with him.It is our decision to either accept or refuse his invitation.


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.

(Genesis chapter 45 verse 11)



On reflecting God promises us an eternity of providence in our heavenly home in his presence, where we will be united as a family with other Christians and maybe even non Christians to our surprise. God is our treasure, while having His presence in our heart and mind we are millionaires even if we are materially poor. Our real poverty begins when we stray away from God to seek our own aims and personal ambitions in which God may not have the first place.


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 honoured in Egypt, and all that you have seen." Hurry and bring my father down here."

(Genesis chapter 45 verses 12 to 13)



There is an English saying that seeing is believing, however when moving on in the spiritual we tend to rely more on our faith then on scientific discoveries. At times even our senses are not reliable. A case in point is that of the optical illusion. Moreover as witnesses of the 'Good News of God' we are all required to never stop proclaiming it to others in all circumstances, adding this ingredient can bring about a change in taste of any situation, however complicated it may be.



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 chapter 45 verses 14 to 15)




Once the ice had been broken between the brothers they were able to relate intimately together as a newborn family. The same happens to Christians or people of other denominations who do their best to follow what they consider to be good or the right way. Once they are back on the way they are filled with tears of joy and are able to communicate openly and share their thoughts and feelings.



16. When the report was heard in Pharaoh's house, "Joseph's brothers have come," Pharaoh and his servants were pleased.

(Genesis chapter 45 verse 16)


Pharaoh and his servants, were said to have been pleased but this is rather weak when compared to the terms happy and overjoyed. When it is time for us to appear before God He will be more than overjoyed to see us. I imagine Him saying. I have been caring for you for such a long time, and even though at times you made me sad by sinning against me, I still love you and am more than happy to welcome you back home where you belong.


17. Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Say to your brothers, 'Do this; load your animals and go back to the land of Canaan. 18 Take your father and your households and come to me, so that I may give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you may enjoy the fat of the land.' 19 You are further charged to say, 'Do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.


(Genesis chapter 45 verses 17 to 19)


Although the biblical author used the term pleased and not happy or overjoyed, in order to express the feelings of the Pharaoh, what was not expressed verbally was manifested by his actions as found in verses 17 to 19 of chapter 45 of the book of Genesis. Often the language of the heart is as strong as the language of the mind, however actions speak louder than words.


20. Give no thought to your possessions, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.' 

(Genesis chapter 45 verse 20)


If a human could offer such bounty and material security on earth, how much more can God offer us as humans. In the beginning He laid the earth open to humanity for it to choose dwell and possess. However, it is a pity that we should abuse that bounty and some people end up possessing more than others.


21. The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons according to the instruction of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey.

(Genesis chapter  45 verse 21)


On having created us God also gave us all the required provisions to supply us on our way on earth, that would eventually lead us back to our heavenly home. Amongst the provisions that God gave us, is His Holy presence that dwells within us, that stimulates our belief and love, both for God and even for our brothers and sisters, for the world is our family, and each person is united and related to us in Jesus Christ.


22. To each one of them he gave a set of garments; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five sets of garments. 23 To his father he sent the following: ten donkeys loaded with good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and provision for his father on the journey. 24 Then he sent his brothers on their way, and as they were leaving he said to them, "Do not quarrel along the way."

(Genesis chapter 45 verses 22 to 24)



On reflecting it can be observed that as Joseph's brothers were given different garments and provisions as supplies in order to carry out their journey, throughout our lives, God constantly gives us the required gives gifts, skills and other strengths, to carry out His will on earth so that His plan for our salvation and that of others can continue to unfold. While going back to our text we refer to Joseph's prohibition, 'Do not quarrel along the way". Joseph was now more than aware of the greed in man's heart and the broken nature of humanity. He had already experienced his brother's wrath and that of many other people. Joseph was aware that material gain could lead to many quarrels on how to divide it amongst themselves, therefore his command was very appropriate indeed.


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 word 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."


(Genesis chapter 45 verses 25 to 28)


Good news gives us new energy. It strengthens our morale and helps greatly to restore our belief. It restores hope to our belief. This the experience of Jacob and all of humanity. Jacob and his children had passed the test, and now they were given their reward. Let us now pray to God that we may also pass the tests of life, that are at times hard and full of hardships sorrow, bitterness and tribulations.


I would like to end this chapter by sharing the following exhibit given to us by Marcia Agacer and the following prayer:

(Donated by Marcia Agacer)

Oh loving God, I thank You for the trials and tribulations with which You test me. Although at the time of trial I may not view them as tests, due to my sinful and broken nature. Forgive me for even turning against you as a consequence of hurt emotions, stress and anxiety. Thank You for standing by my side throughout these tough and trying moments. Thanks for giving me the skills to cope with the situation, and for never giving me more than I can bear. Moreover I would like to thank You for the rewards You give me after such dark moments. Thank You for your greatest gift that is to be in Your presence for ever when my time is up on this earth that is a journey or a pilgrimage to our heavenly home.

Thank You God