Surprise! I'm Joseph
Your Brother!
A verse-by-verse explanation of these chapters.
An overview of the principles and applications from these chapters.
Melding these chapters to life with God.
Tying these chapters to life with God.
Historical, geographical, and grammatical enrichment of the commentary.
Suggested step-by-step group study of these chapters.
Zeroing these chapters in on daily life.
“If your sorrow is because of certain consequences that
have come on your family because of your sin, this is
remorse, not true repentance. If, on the other hand, you are
grieved because you also sinned against God and his holy
laws, then you are on the right road.”
Billy Graham
These three chapters show the true character of the sons of Jacob through the testing devised by Joseph.
A sole survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. He eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions.
One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. “God, how could you do this to me!” he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.
“How did you know I was here?” the man asked.
“We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground—it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
Surprise! I'm Joseph Your Brother!
MAIN IDEA: A patient Joseph takes time to test his brothers before revealing to them his true identity.
Jacob's Arrangement About Benjamin (43:1-14)
SUPPORTING IDEA: The continuing famine finally forces Jacob to send Benjamin to Egypt.
43:1-3. Genesis 45:6 indicates that this second journey by Jacob's sons to Egypt occurred after two years of famine (with five more still to go). It can be presumed that their first journey was made after the first year of famine. A year had passed in which Simeon remained in an Egyptian prison, but Jacob refused to allow Benjamin to go to Egypt so Simeon might be released.
But the famine was so severe that after they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, Jacob commanded his sons to return and buy us a little more food.
43:3-14. Judah stepped forward as spokesman for the brothers. He had undoubtedly heard his father's previous refusal of Reuben's offer of surety. This role of spokesman and leader will be exercised more and more by Judah (see Gen. 43:8-10; 44:14-34; 46:28). His father, at his deathbed blessing, would confirm Judah's role as leader of the family (Gen. 49:8-10).
Judah again explained to his father the stipulations that the man (that is, Joseph) had placed on them before they had left Egypt. Jacob, now referred to as Israel (see Gen. 43:8,11), responded by asking, Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother? Jacob had earlier referred to this situation of requiring Benjamin to travel to Egypt in the words, “Everything is against me!” (Gen. 42:36). He had also stated, “My son [Benjamin] will not go down there with you” (Gen. 42:38). The lack of faith by Jacob in God's sovereignty is clear. He believed Joseph was dead and that it was now up to him to protect his son Benjamin.
After explaining to their father that they had been questioned directly about their family, specifically if their father was still alive and if they had another brother, they sought to show Jacob that they had answered direct questions and had not volunteered any additional information. But the story, as related in Genesis 42:13, indicates that they had given this information in response to an accusation of being spies.
Judah again stepped forward in a leadership role and sought to guarantee the safety of Benjamin. He requested that Jacob send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die. I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. His guarantee involved bearing the blame before you [Jacob] all my life. At the end of the previous chapter Reuben, the firstborn, had offered surety for Benjamin. Jacob had refused Reuben's offer. Now the famine had forced Jacob to reconsider sending Benjamin, but he did not reconsider Reuben's offer.
This may have been because Reuben had shown himself unworthy and disloyal to his father in the incident of Bilhah (Gen. 35:22). Later Jacob would speak of Reuben in these terms: “Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father's bed, onto my couch and defiled it” (Gen. 49:4). Simeon, the secondborn, was in an Egyptian prison and Levi, thirdborn, had proven himself to be lacking in self-control (Gen. 34:25; 49:5-7). Judah had acted improperly in the incident with Tamar, but he had repented and now apparently had come back to be part of his father's family.
Jacob agreed to allow Benjamin to go to Egypt out of necessity. But he insisted that they take a gift, a customary practice when approaching a person of high rank. Israel (that is, Jacob) was not poor, although he lacked grain. God had blessed him materially, so he declared firmly that they should take some of the best products of the land … a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds (see “Deeper Discoveries”). He also insisted they take the silver that was found in their sacks after the first journey to Egypt as well as silver for the new purchases.
The phrase perhaps it was a mistake showed that Israel did not contemplate the providence of God in all these affairs. He had allowed the emotion of his losses to overwhelm him and dictate his theology. But he then stated this desire: May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you.
The phrase, as for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved, contains a note of resignation that does not seem to imply faith. For Israel, the element of faith was not strong except for his previous comment on the Lord granting them mercy before the Egyptian authority.
Jacob's Sons Back in Egypt (43:15-44:34)
SUPPORTING IDEA: Joseph tests his brothers in two different ways to determine their true character.
43:15-25. Upon their arrival in Egypt the brothers presented themselves to Joseph, although of course they did not yet know him as Joseph. Apparently without allowing a conversation, but noticing that Benjamin was with them, Joseph gave instructions to the steward of his house: Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare dinner; they are to eat with me at noon. Whether Joseph had made this plan in advance is unstated, but surely he must have thought about what he would do if his brothers returned.
The brothers imagined that they were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves and take our donkeys. If this was Joseph's desire, he would not have sent them to his home. They attempted to convince Joseph's household manager that they had not stolen the payment for the grain they had bought on their former trip. He responded with the assurance, It's all right … Don't be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.
The steward's statement shows that Joseph had shared his religious background with him and that the return of their money was to be regarded as a divine gift, not an error on the part of the Egyptian. As further evidence that they were not being threatened, he brought Simeon out to them.
Furthermore, the steward gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys. All this was further evidence of grace and generosity. Still wanting to assure themselves of avoiding Joseph's wrath, they prepared their gifts for Joseph's arrival at noon. This refusal or inability to accept grace and generosity characterized these brothers even after their father died.
43:26-34. When they presented their gifts to Joseph and bowed down before him to the ground, in a second fulfillment of his dream of long ago (see Gen. 37:10; 42:6), Joseph responded with questions of concern about them and their aged father.
Joseph then looked for Benjamin, who was his own mother's son and therefore his full brother. He pronounced a blessing upon him by stating, God be gracious to you, my son. This emotional time proved too much for Joseph. So deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. Benjamin may have been up to sixteen years younger than Joseph. Joseph had been in Egypt for twenty-two years, so he would have last seen Benjamin when he was very young. This is why Joseph asked, Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?
Joseph threw a lavish banquet for his brothers. But the brothers were fed at a separate table in Joseph's house, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians. Joseph of course was not a true Egyptian. But at this point, to his brothers and perhaps to many of the servants, he was as Egyptian as anyone. The Egyptians considered all other peoples uncultured, so they would not associate with them, especially in the intimate action of eating.
To the amazement of the brothers, they were seated in the order of their ages. Benjamin, the youngest, was given five times as much food as the others, and Joseph answered part of the blessing he had pronounced upon his brother. Joseph had never had a chance to show Benjamin any love since he was so much younger than Joseph. This also served as a test to determine how the older brothers would react to favoritism shown to their younger brother. Evidently, this test was passed. So they feasted and drank freely with him. Although they ate at an adjacent table, the portions were served to them from Joseph's table, so there was a communion and conversation between the brothers.
44:1-5. Again Joseph had their payment money for the grain placed in the food shipment, and he also placed his own silver cup in Benjamin's sack. He then instructed his servant to pursue the Hebrew men, and he even gave him the words he was to use in questioning his brothers. Joseph was preparing to test their loyalty and character again.
44:6-13. Before getting far the brothers were arrested (at Joseph's command) and accused of stealing his silver cup with the question originally phrased by Joseph in verse 4, “Why have you repaid good with evil?” The words of this question would be restated later in reference to their earlier treatment of Joseph with Joseph then insisting that “you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Gen. 50:20).
When confronted, the brothers sought to assure the servant that stealing was never their practice. If the stolen cup could be found among their possessions, they said, whoever is found to have it, he will die; and the rest of us will become my lord's slaves. This is how certain they were that they were innocent of Joseph's charge. Before a search was conducted, Joseph's servant agreed to this procedure, except he changed it slightly by saying, Whoever is found to have it will become my slave; the rest of you will be free from blame.
A search, starting with the oldest and proceeding down to the youngest, revealed the silver cup in Benjamin's sack. The silver that had been placed in each sack is not mentioned. The cup was the focus. Rather than sending Benjamin back as was agreed upon in the servant's statement, all the brothers tore their clothes … and returned to the city. This time they would not leave a younger brother, a favorite of their father, to become a slave. This shows they had changed since selling their brother Joseph into slavery about twenty-two years before.
44:14-34. The brothers found themselves before Joseph a third time. This time they did not bow but threw themselves on the ground before him. Then Judah stepped forward as the leader and spokesman for the group. While claiming innocence for the stolen property, he admitted that God has uncovered your servants' guilt. His conscience must have been bothering him. He was willing to admit that there was a reason why God may have delivered them into bondage. He regarded this as divine discipline. Judah did not argue on the basis of the arrangement the servant had declared (v. 10) or on the basis of what the brothers had declared previously (v. 9). Rather, he suggested that all of them would become Joseph's slaves.
Joseph protested such a strong penalty and demanded only the slavery of the man who was found to have the cup (that is, Benjamin). Again we see the brothers being treated with kindness and grace and yet not noticing or at least not understanding it.
Judah then begged Joseph to accept his life in the place of Benjamin. He reminded Joseph that their old father Jacob would die if anything happened to Benjamin. He admitted that Jacob believed that Joseph had been torn to pieces and that now Jacob's life was closely bound up with the boy's [Benjamin's] life. Judah asked to be a substitute for Benjamin because he could not stand to see the misery that would come upon my father if Benjamin did not return home. Judah did not try to hide the brothers' guilt or blame their actions on anyone else.
Joseph had tested his brothers by framing Benjamin and allowing his other brothers to go free if they so chose. How the other brothers reacted is not stated, but the fact that all the brothers returned (v. 13) seems to indicate that they were united in their commitment to their father and to Benjamin. Judah's intervention on their behalf showed the great love he had for his father and the loyalty he had to Benjamin. It also demonstrated that the brothers were not willing to repeat the act they had committed against Joseph many years before. They were not perfect, but they were showing signs of repentance and change.
Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers (45:1-24)
SUPPORTING IDEA: In an act filled with great emotion, Joseph finally reveals his true identity to his brothers.
45:1-3. The urgent pleas by Judah on behalf on Benjamin and his father caused Joseph to break emotionally. Unable to restrain himself any longer, Joseph ordered his attendants out and revealed his true identity to his brothers: I am Joseph! Is my father still living? What a shock! He disclosed his identity in an atmosphere of such intense emotion that the weeping by Joseph was heard by his household and reported to Pharaoh's household. First, Joseph wanted his brothers to know who he was and then he wanted to be reassured of his father's welfare. He said nothing about his treatment by his brothers twenty-two years before.
His brothers were terrified at his presence. All the gracious and generous treatment by Joseph was forgotten. Their minds could not comprehend what this revelation might mean since all they apparently could remember now was their brutal treatment of him.
45:4-15. Joseph repeated his assertion that he was their brother Joseph. This time he added, the one you sold into Egypt. But this was done for confirmation purposes only. He went on to assure them that they were not to be distressed or angry with themselves for selling him into slavery. Joseph had interpreted the circumstances theologically. He realized that it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. Four times he would state that God was behind the events of his life.
Joseph also revealed to his brothers the knowledge he had that the present famine would last for another five years. His brothers were reassured again that Joseph harbored no ill will toward them. He believed that God had overruled their evil plan in order to guarantee that the family of Israel would survive.
He urged them to bring their father Jacob back with them and to make plans to live in Egypt. Joseph, in anticipation of his brothers' repentance, had already made plans for where they could live (Goshen) so they could be near him. In order to encourage Jacob to make the move, even at his advanced age, he was to be told about all the honor accorded me [Joseph] in Egypt. Part of the Abrahamic covenant, especially the promise of a great name, was being fulfilled in Jacob's son Joseph, because God has made me lord of all Egypt (see Ps. 105:16-22).
Embracing first his brother Benjamin and then all the brothers, Joseph then kissed them all and wept for joy. Afterward his brothers talked with him, and Joseph explained his unbelievable journey of the last twenty-two years.
45:16-24. When informed of the situation with Joseph's family, Pharaoh was pleased that he was able to honor and assist Joseph in some way. He also insisted on Jacob and his family moving to Egypt. Pharaoh promised Jacob's family the best of the land of Egypt and provided carts to help them make the journey.
Joseph also gave them provisions for their journey along with new clothing. Benjamin received a large amount of silver as well as five sets of clothing (cp. Gen. 43:34 where Benjamin's table portions were five times more than the brothers' portions). In addition, ten extra donkeys were loaded with the best things of Egypt and another ten with grain and bread and other provisions for his father's journey to Egypt.
Then Joseph sent his brothers on their way. But as they were leaving he reminded them, Don't quarrel on the way! Joseph probably knew his brothers well enough to recognize that accusations and recriminations could travel with them on the way back. In addition, his special treatment of his full brother Benjamin could be a source of jealousy. Their explanation to their father of how Joseph was alive when they had presented him “proof” of Joseph's death years before could also spark quarreling. Joseph wanted them to enjoy their good fortune and not dwell on the past.
Jacob Hears That Joseph Is Still Alive (45:25-28)
SUPPORTING IDEA: Jacob, disbelieving at first, is finally convinced that Joseph is alive.
45:25-28. At first Jacob was unable to believe the amazing news that his long-lost son Joseph was still alive and held an important position in the government of Egypt. But when he was assured by the evidence of Joseph's generosity, he finally believed and made plans to move to Egypt.
MAIN IDEA REVIEW: A patient Joseph takes time to test his brothers before revealing to them his true identity.
Joseph exercised great patience and discernment with his brothers. He did not need to test them persistently before declaring who he was, but he did. He knew people well enough to realize that there is a difference between repentance and remorse. He wanted to be assured that his brothers realized that what they had done to him was wrong and that they would not do the same to his younger brother Benjamin. But once he knew their heart, he revealed himself and experienced a joyful reconciliation.
PRINCIPLES
APPLICATIONS
Our families and churches are full of many broken relationships that beg to be mended. But reconciliation requires the conviction that something is wrong, the confession of that wrong, and the forgiveness that must be offered and accepted.
A father and his teenage son had a stormy relationship. So the son ran away from home. His father began a journey in search of his rebellious son. Finally, in Madrid, in a last desperate effort to find him, the father put an ad in the newspaper. The ad read, “Dear Paco, meet me in front of the newspaper office at noon. All is forgiven. I love you. Your father.”
The next day at noon in front of the newspaper office eight hundred “Pacos” showed up. They were all seeking forgiveness and love from their fathers.
Joseph didn't require that his brothers make the first move in seeking forgiveness. Even before their repentance Joseph had treated them generously and graciously when he had every right to treat them with bitterness and vengeance. He wanted to be reconciled. Once he knew their hearts were ready, he revealed the truth to them. He held nothing against them but desired to hold them close and to see his father again.
What are you prepared to do to repair a relationship? What is your desire—to be vindicated or to be reconciled? May we be like Joseph, seeking reconciliation.
Lord, make me willing to wait for the truth. Keep me from vengeance and let me seek reconciliation. Amen.
A. Balm, Honey, Spices, Myrrh, Pistachio Nuts, and Almonds (43:11)
Balm is an oil or gum exuded by the fruit or stems of certain small trees. It is used for medicinal purposes (see Jer. 8:22; 51:8). Myrrh is an aromatic gum (Ps. 45:8; Prov. 7:17; Song 3:6; 5:13) secreted from the leaves of the cistus rose. Its oil was used in beauty treatments (Esth. 2:12) and to perfume the body after death (John 19:39-40). In New Testament times it was mixed with wine and drunk for pain relief (Mark 15:23). Because of its value myrrh was one of the third gifts (beside gold and frankincense) brought to the baby Jesus (Matt. 2:11). Honey can refer to either the substance produced by bees, or to the sweet syrup made by boiling grape or date juice into a thick syrup. Pistachio nuts are mentioned only here in the Bible. These nuts grow on a small, broad-crowned tree found in Asia Minor, Syria, and Canaan.
Of all these gifts, only balm, honey, and nuts were native to Canaan. The spices and myrrh were imported and thus quite costly. Jacob hoped that all these gifts would buy favorable treatment in Egypt.
Goshen was the eastern region of the Nile River delta, northeast of the Egyptian capital city of Memphis. It was linked closely with the land and city of Raamses (Gen. 47:6,11). It was the most fertile part of Egypt because of moisture from the yearly flood and the productive soil that was annually deposited here. It was a good place to raise cattle (Gen. 46:34; 47:6).
In the Book of Exodus the Hebrews were still living in Goshen. The Hebrews left Egypt from this region of the land (Exod. 8:22; 9:26; 12:37).
A. INTRODUCTION
B. COMMENTARY
C. CONCLUSION: FAMILY RECONCILIATION