A popular television feature is to find a situation where a family has been separated because of war or some tragedy. The show does research to find out where the missing family members are. Then they reunite the family on television.
It certainly makes for a moving experience with tears and obvious deep-seated emotions of those how have been separated reuniting. No episode could ever compare with Joseph and how he was separated and reunited with his family.
Joseph was separated from his family at the age of 17 not because of war, but because of the wicked jealousy of his own brothers. In their jealousy they sold Joseph into slavery and presented his ornamented coat to their father. They dipped Joseph’s coat in blood to make Jacob think his son Joseph had been killed when in reality the other older sons sold him into slavery.
As a faithful servant Joseph was in charge of Potiphar’s household soon after he reached Egypt as a slave. Joseph refused the advances of Potiphar’s wife, so she falsely accused Joseph of rape in retaliation. Joseph refused to sin against God and have a sexual affair with Potiphar’s wife.
This moral stance landed Joseph in prison for 13 years. He was a prisoner with a free conscious. God orchestrated Joseph to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Suddenly Joseph found himself in charge of the affairs of all of Egypt, the worlds superpower at the time.
After Joseph received the charge of Egypt there were 7 years of prosperity. In wisdom Joseph prepares for 7 years of famine that is coming. God warned Joseph about this through Pharaoh’s dream.
Joseph’s brothers take their first trip to Egypt (Genesis chapter 42)
When Jacob’s family reached the brink of disaster because of the famine, the Patriarch sent 10 of his sons to Egypt for help. All 10 of them knew the real story about Joseph. After 20 years from this wrong their conscience was beginning to be pricked. What if they saw that slave boy they betrayed? Little did the brothers know what was in store for them.
Joseph’s 10 brothers may not have recalled the dreams of 20 years earlier, but when they arrived in Egypt the dream was coming to pass. They unknowingly bowed down to their younger brother Joseph.
Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. (Genesis 42:6)
Joseph accused them of being spies and put them in prison for three days.
Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. 9 Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.” (Genesis 42:8-9)
He told them to leave Simeon and bring back the youngest boy Benjamin, Joseph’s full brother, the son of his mother Rachel.
Joseph said to them, “It is just as I told you: You are spies! 15 And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. (Genesis 42:14-15)
Joseph is using an interpreter to talk with his brothers so that they do not suspect he is not originally from Egypt. He has to leave their presence and weep because he is overcome with emotion.
On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: 19 If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. 20 But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.
Joseph was using an interpreter and had to leave their presence and weep. (Genesis 42:18-20)
Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” 23 They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter. (Genesis 42:22-23)
The 9 brothers are sent home to explain everything to their father. Their hearts sink when they find the silver is placed back in their sacks of grain that they purchased. They report all the incredible happenings to their father.
Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!” (Genesis 42:36)
The Brothers make their second trip to Egypt (Genesis chapter 43)
When Jacob’s family was running out of food and soon to starve, he sent the brothers back to Egypt. This time they made the trip with Benjamin. They made it clear that they would not return from Egypt without Benjamin.
Jacob uses the name for God, El Shaddai, God almighty. Jacob has not forgotten his experience at Peniel when he wrestled with God.
And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.” (Genesis 43:14)
God is in control, but Jacob would not have realized just how much God was in control of this situation. When they arrived, Joseph saw Benjamin. He ran to his private room to weep. The brothers were lined up by age. Then the brothers were served a meal and Benjamin received 5 times the amount as the other brothers.
The Brothers start back to Egypt. (Genesis chapter 44)
As the eleven brothers headed back to Canaan the silver, they paid for the grain, was put back in their sack. Joseph had his personal cup but in Benjamin’s sack. They were stopped on their journey back by Egyptian authorities and accused Benjamin of stealing Joseph’s cup.
Whoever has the cup he shall die, they announced. The brother’s tore their clothes when Joseph’s cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. The brothers were brought before Joseph again. Judah said, we will all be your slaves for what has happened. Joseph said no, only Benjamin will be my slave the rest of you return to Egypt in peace.
Judah pleads with Joseph. If they return without Benjamin, it will kill their father, Jacob. Judah asks to take Benjamin’s place as a slave. He cannot bear the hurt it will bring to his father.
“Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father.” (Genesis 43:33-34)
The turnaround is complete. Years before Judah suggested that Joseph be sold as a slave with no regard on how his father would be grieved. Now this. Now Judah cannot bear to see what losing Benjamin will do to his father.
Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers (Genesis Chapter 45:1-15)
It came to the point where Joseph could bear it no longer. He sent all the Egyptians out of the room to be alone with his brothers. With loud weeping and emotion Joseph revealed himself to his brothers.
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! (Genesis 45:3-4)
The brothers could not believe it. They were terrified. Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers is even more impressive than his uncle Esau forgiving his father Jacob. Because Joseph is close to God, he could say to his brothers who wronged him. “come close to me.”
Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him. (Genesis 45:14)
After 22 years Joseph is reconciled to his brothers. When Joseph reveals his identity, he lost a powerful advantage. He was willing to make himself vulnerable. Why would he need to take revenge? He was at the center of God’s will the whole time.
Joseph acknowledges God’s providence. All that happened to Joseph was in the plan of God for his glory.
And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. (Genesis 45:5)
The favoritism of Jacob shown to Joseph and that incited jealousy was used by the Lord. Even the brother’s violence was part of the plan of God.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20)
All of the circumstances were the will of God. This included the many years Joseph spent forgotten by others in prison. God’s purpose holds the course through anything and everything.
Jacob and Joseph meet (Genesis 45:16-28)
There is more unfinished business in this story. Jacob needs to find out his son Joseph is still alive.
So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. 26 They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. (Genesis 45:25-26)
And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.” (Genesis 45:28)
The emotion was overwhelming for Jacob. His beloved son he presumed was dead for 22 years is alive and ruler of Egypt. God is indeed El Shaddai, God Almighty.
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Jacob prepares to travel to Egypt and he has a vision from God.
And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied. 3 “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. 4 I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.” (Genesis 46:2-4)
Jacob and Joseph have their emotional meeting.
Now Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When they arrived in the region of Goshen, 29 Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time. (Genesis 46:28-29)
God is still on his throne. He is sovereign and in control. Not only was everything that happened in God’s plan, but it was revealed to Abraham two generations before.
Then the LORD said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. (Genesis 15:13)
Joseph has been released from prison after 9 years. Now his brothers are released from their guilt in what they did, selling their brother in slavery. The brothers had never dealt with their unconfessed sin until now. Sin is serious and so many are hurt by it.
The evil deeds of the brothers save the family from destruction.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20)
Maybe what you have done has caused hurt. Deal with your sin with confession to God and genuine repentance. Then move on. You have not thwarted the plan of God. His will and his purposes prevail.
