Enjoying God’s Favor – Genesis 45-46

“Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, ‘Make everyone go out from me!’ So, no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph; does my father still live?’ But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. And Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Please come near to me.’ So, they came near. Then he said: ‘I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.’” Genesis 45:1-8

Speechless! The reactions of Judah and his brothers to Joseph reminds me of the man in the parable of Matthew 22:1-13. That man came to the wedding feast of the King’s Son but did not put on a wedding garment. When the king confronted him about it, he was speechless. The king had him bound hand and foot and thrown into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. He had been given a garment but refused to put it on. That garment was the robe of righteousness mentioned in Isaiah 61:10-11. Without it, no person is fit to be there.

Just before Joseph had revealed his identity to his brothers, he had told them that he must imprison Benjamin. They were free to return to their father. Judah pleaded with Joseph to let him be imprisoned instead of his brother because their father would die of sorrow without Benjamin. Lives are at stake. The situation is emotionally charged.

Joseph suddenly began wailing so loudly that the sounds of his cries were heard in the Pharoah’s house, presumably next door to his house.

Joseph testified for God. God sent him to Egypt. God wanted to preserve their lives. God took Joseph from being a shepherd like them and made him second in command to Pharoah.

It’s something how those with a mighty anointing from God reflect the Father and Son relationship in the Holy Trinity. Joseph was a type of Christ. David was a type of Christ. Both began as humble servants, but later became as kings. When Jesus came to earth, He spoke and acted as His Father expected Him to do. Then, God exalted Him above all others.

Philippians 2:5-11 says, “Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

“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 tarry. You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children’s children, your flocks, and your herds, and all that you have. There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine.’ And behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my mouth that speaks to you. So you shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen; and you shall hurry and bring my father down here. Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with him.” Genesis 45:9-15

Joseph expressed no bitterness toward his brothers. No desire for payback! He sends his brothers to his father. He is lord of all Egypt. He told them, “You shall be near me.” He invited them to bring themselves and their families. He promised them lands. He kisses them, sheds tears over them and talks with them some more before farewelling them.

I praise God that our Lord Jesus Christ is greater than Joseph and that He holds no bitterness against our race for crucifying Him. God sent Him to be crucified to save our lives, and to bring us into the Heavenly Father’s kingdom where He will give us lands. He will treat us way beyond what we can ask or imagine. Why? Because He loves us!

“Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, ‘Joseph’s brothers have come.’ So, it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and depart; go to the land of Canaan. Bring your father and your households and come to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land. Now you are commanded—do this: take carts out of the land of Egypt for your little ones and your wives; bring your father and come. Also do not be concerned about your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’” Genesis 45:16-20

The Pharoah of Egypt was happy to hear about Joseph’s brothers. If they were anything like Joseph, his nation would be very blessed to have them. Pharoah promised Joseph’s brothers the best land and best food. He blessed them with carts [we would say moving trucks] to transport their belongings to Egypt. He richly supplied all their needs. He helped them to enjoy a smooth transition and to adjust to their new life.

“Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them carts, according to the command of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey. He gave to all of them, to each man, changes of garments; but to Benjamin he gave 300 pieces of silver and five changes of garments. And he sent to his father these things: 10 donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and 10 female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his father for the journey. So he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them, ‘See that you do not become troubled along the way.’” Genesis 45:21-24

Joseph gave them new clothes. He sent 20 donkeys with them to help transport goods and food. The 300 pieces of silver that Joseph gave to Benjamin were worth $1,200-$6,000 in today’s USD. Benjimin was his only brother from the same mother, but no one lacked for anything,

“Then they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan to Jacob their father. And they told him, saying, ‘Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.’ And Jacob’s heart stood still because he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. Then Israel said, ‘It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.’” Genesis 45:25-28

Now, Jacob is speechless. He can hardly believe what his ears have heard. Joseph who was dead is alive. What’s more he is reigning like a king. Jacob has one goal now. He wants to see Joseph.

“So Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, ‘Jacob, Jacob!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ So He said, ‘I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will put his hand on your eyes.’” Genesis 46:1-4

Jacob made offerings to the Lord. He was grateful to God. God assured Jacob that he was doing the right thing to move his family to Egypt. Joseph would be at his side when he died. Joseph would bring his remains back to the land where his father and grandfather died.

“Then Jacob arose from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob, their little ones, and their wives, in the carts which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. So they took their livestock and their goods, which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him. His sons and his sons’ sons, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters, and all his descendants he brought with him to Egypt.” Genesis 46:5-7

So, they packed up their belongings and headed to Egypt. Genesis 46:8-25 lists the names of Jacob’s descendants via his sons.

“All the persons who went with Jacob to Egypt, who came from his body, besides Jacob’s sons’ wives, were 66 persons in all. And the sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt were two persons. All the persons of the house of Jacob who went to Egypt were 70.” Genesis 46:26-27

Jacob enjoyed a large family and many grandchildren. Their extended family gatherings involved 70 people if everyone showed up. They were foreigners in a foreign land but enjoyed their own little community of care and friendship in that land.

“Then he sent Judah before him to Joseph, to point out before him the way to Goshen. And they came to the land of Goshen. So Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; and he presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. And Israel said to Joseph, ‘Now let me die, since I have seen your face, because you are still alive.’” Genesis 46:28-30

Judah led the way. Judah’s name means “Praise.” Psalm 149:6, says, “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth.” Psalm 105:43-45 says, “He [the Lord] brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness. He gave them the lands of the Gentiles, and they inherited the labor of the nations, that they might observe His statutes and keep His laws. Praise the Lord!”

Answers come to me as I praise the Lord. Turning to the Lord is facing the light. Psalm 36:9 says, “For with You is the fountain of life. In Your light we see light.” As we praise and thank God, His Spirit helps us to discern the best way to go. When praising God, we are much less apt to go to places that we should not go.

Joseph hugged his father’s neck and wept tears of joy with him. Jacob felt that his life was complete. He was ready to meet God now.

“Then Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, ‘I will go up and tell Pharaoh, and say to him, ‘My brothers and those of my father’s house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. And the men are shepherds, for their occupation has been to feed livestock; and they have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that they have.’ So it shall be, when Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ that you shall say, ‘Your servants’ occupation has been with livestock from our youth even till now, both we and also our fathers,’ that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.” Genesis 46:31-34

Joseph instructed his brothers what to say before they met Pharoah. Just like the Lord, he wanted them to enjoy the same favor that he enjoyed with the king.

I am so glad that the Spirit of Christ who dwells in us, is preparing us to meet the Heavenly Father, so we will enjoy a smooth transition when we arrive in heaven, as well as God’s favor. Praise the Lord!