Genesis Chapter Forty-Five Series

GENESIS CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE OVERVIEW

Overall what is happening in this chapter is that Joseph makes himself know to his brothers.

Thomas Coke (1801) - Genesis 45

Joseph discovers himself to his brethren; and, with Pharaoh's approbation, sends for his father into Egypt: the brethren return to Jacob, who, hearing that Joseph was yet alive, revives at the news.

Matthew Henry (1714) - Genesis 45

Joseph comforts his brethren, and sends for his father. (Genesis_45:1-15)

Pharaoh confirms Joseph's invitation, Joseph's gifts to his brethren. (Genesis 45:16-24)

Jacob receives the news of Joseph's being alive. (Genesis 45:25-28)

Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge (2010) - Genesis 45

Overview:

Joseph makes himself known to his brethren; (Genesis 45:1-3)

He comforts them in God’s providence; (Genesis 45:4-8)

He sends for his father; (Genesis 45:9-15)

Pharaoh confirms it; (Genesis 45:16-20)

Joseph furnishes then for their journey, and exhorts them to concord; (Genesis 45:21-24)

Jacob is revived with the news. (Genesis 45:25-28)

Daniel Whedon (1889) - Genesis 45

Whatever purposes Joseph intended to accomplish by his severity and mysterious conduct towards his brethren, all are accomplished now, or else the irresistible eloquence of Judah dissuades him from concealing himself further. When he first saw them — ten of them, without Benjamin, (chapter 42) — he may have at once suspected that they had made away with his younger brother as they had done with himself. He would keep himself aloof until he could thoroughly prove their present disposition, and find out all the facts. Thus he was also made, perhaps unwittingly, the instrument of distressing his aged father, as a retribution for the mischievous partiality he had shown to the sons of Rachel. But the action of the brethren towards Benjamin, and especially the appeal of Judah, and the picture of the aged father sinking in sorrow to the grave — all convince Joseph that a deep change has been wrought in the hearts of these men, and he can refrain himself no longer.

Matthew Henry (1714) - Genesis 45

It is a pity that this chapter and the foregoing should be parted, and read asunder. There we had Judah's intercession for Benjamin, with which, we may suppose, the rest of his brethren signified their concurrence; Joseph let him go on without interruption, heard all he had to say, and then answered it all in one word, “I am Joseph.” Now he found his brethren humbled for their sins, mindful of himself (for Judah had mentioned him twice in his speech), respectful to their father, and very tender of their brother Benjamin; now they were ripe for the comfort he designed them, by making himself known to them, the story of which we have in this chapter. It was to Joseph's brethren as clear shining after rain, nay, it was to them as life from the dead. Here is:

I. Joseph's discovery of himself to his brethren, and his discourse with them upon that occasion (Genesis_45:1-15).

II. The orders Pharaoh, hereupon, gave to fetch Jacob and his family down to Egypt, and Joseph's dispatch of his brethren, accordingly, back to his father with those orders (Genesis 45:16-24).

III. The joyful tidings of this brought to Jacob (Genesis 45:25-28).

KEY VERSE

Genesis 45:1 Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried, "Have everyone go out from me." So there was no man with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers.

KEY EVENT

Joseph reveals himself to his brothers.

KEY CROSS-REFERENCE

Isaiah 42:14 "I have kept silent for a long time, I have kept still and restrained Myself. Now like a woman in labor I will groan, I will both gasp and pant.”

KEY QUOTE

“Nothing but his making himself known to them can satisfy his heart. He wants them to know him. He wants conscious fellowship with them based on the just-proven work of grace. Nothing else can also give rest to the hearts of the brothers.” G. de Koning