Passage: Genesis 45

The Big Idea

After his brothers’ hearts have broken in repentance, Joseph can’t hold back: “I am Joseph!” Terrified, they expect judgment. Instead he draws them close: “Don’t be grieved or angry with yourselves. God sent me ahead of you to save lives.” Then he sends them home loaded with provisions and carts to bring their father. When Jacob heard Joseph’s words and saw the carts, his spirit revived. The Word of grace and the provisions of grace still revive weary hearts today.

The Revelation

After two trips to Egypt and the test of the silver cup, the brothers were finally broken. Judah’s heartfelt plea showed their hearts had changed. Someone once counted dozens of ways Joseph pictures Jesus, and this chapter adds more.

Joseph revealed himself only after they confessed their sin. Many Bible teachers see a prophetic picture here. Through Hosea, God said He would return to His place until His people acknowledged their offense and sought His face; in their distress they would earnestly seek Him (Hosea 5:15). Zechariah says that one day God will pour out a spirit of grace and supplication on Jerusalem, and “they will look on Me whom they pierced,” mourning as for an only son (Zechariah 12:10). Like Joseph’s brothers, they will recognize the One they rejected.

Confession matters. When we stop hiding, Jesus reveals Himself.

This chapter unfolds in seven movements: the person, the purpose, God’s providence, praise, proximity, peace and provision.

Person (Genesis 45:1-3)

Joseph couldn’t control himself any longer. He ordered everyone else out, and then made himself known to his brothers. He wept so loudly the Egyptians heard it, and word reached Pharaoh’s household. “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers couldn’t answer; they were terrified in his presence.

They rejected Joseph the first time. Now they’re stunned at his “second appearing.”
What do we learn about this person? He cares deeply for his brothers. He cares about his father. And he’s overwhelming.
In C. S. Lewis’s Narnia, someone asks whether Aslan the Lion is safe, and the answer is that of course he isn’t safe, but he’s good. He’s the King. That’s Jesus.

Purpose (Genesis 45:4-5)

Joseph said, “Please come close to me.” They came near. “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, don’t be distressed or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life.”

Here’s the heart of Jesus:

Closeness: “Come near to me.”
Forgiveness: he names the sin, but doesn’t hold it against them.
Restoration: “your brother.”
Life: “to preserve life.”

Do you ever get grieved and angry with yourself over your failures?

Jesus isn’t coming to condemn you. He paid the price. He took care of it (Romans 8:1).

But we’re tempted to beat ourselves up.

Constantly beating yourself up shows we don’t really believe what God says about us. Paul says that in our flesh nothing good dwells (Romans 7:18).
When we think, “I can’t believe I did that; I’m better than that,” it’s actually a form of pride. The Bible says, “No, you’re not!”
Paul explains the battle between flesh and Spirit in Romans 6-8. Coming down hard on yourself is not the heart of God.
Acknowledge your sin. Confess it. He knows our frame; He remembers we are dust (Psalm 103:14).
Christianity isn’t cleaning yourself up. It’s having your sin continually washed away by His blood, and celebrating what He has done (1 John 1:7).

Providence (Genesis 45:6-11)

“The famine has been in the land two years, and there are five more years with no plowing or harvest. God sent me ahead of you to preserve a remnant for you on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So it wasn’t you who sent me here, but God. He made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his household and ruler of all Egypt.”

God is always working behind the scenes. Do you believe that?
You can. It’s His promise, and His promises are solid ground. Trust them no matter what things look like.
What if my child dies? What if I lose my job? What if my spouse turns on me? What if the enemy attacks?
Ask Job. He has a lot in common with us. He said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).

Job had an inner trust that God was watching and would honor him for doing right, and giving God glory is always right. That’s how we get through life’s unexpected blows: we give God glory. It’s not what the flesh wants, but it’s what we need. It’s powerful to watch someone simply trust the Lord. Joseph was drawing his brothers’ eyes to God’s plan.

“Hurry back to my father and tell him: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me without delay. You’ll live in Goshen, near me, with your children, grandchildren, flocks and herds and everything you have. I will provide for you there, because five years of famine remain.”

God has a plan and a provision for you: salvation, forgiveness and grace to deliver you.

Praise (Genesis 45:12-13)

“You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it’s really me speaking to you. Tell my father about all my glory in Egypt and everything you’ve seen.”

Tell what you’ve seen in me!
Tell what you know of Jesus. Peter says we’re a chosen people, a royal priesthood, belonging to God, so we can proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
God already knows everything about His Son, yet He loves to hear you talk about Jesus. Tell the Father who Jesus is to you. I love hearing good things about my sons; it blesses my heart.

Proximity (Genesis 45:14-15)

Joseph threw his arms around Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. He kissed all his brothers and wept over them. After that, his brothers talked with him.

Closeness. Feeling. Love. Acceptance. Joy. Family.
One day Jesus will wipe every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:4).

Peace (Genesis 45:16-22)

When Pharaoh heard Joseph’s brothers had come, he and his officials were pleased. He told Joseph, “Tell your brothers to load their animals, go back to Canaan, and bring your father and families here. I’ll give you the best of Egypt. Take carts for your little ones and wives, and bring your father. Don’t worry about your belongings; the best of Egypt is yours.”

Joseph gave them carts and provisions for the journey, and a change of clothes for each brother. To Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothes.

And the brothers didn’t get jealous! That’s how forgiveness changes hearts.
That’s how peace comes. James asks where quarrels and fights come from: our desires battling inside us (James 4:1). When we surrender fully to Jesus, we can be at peace with our brothers and sisters.

Provision (Genesis 45:23-28)

Joseph sent his father ten donkeys loaded with the best of Egypt and ten donkeys loaded with grain, bread and food for the journey.

Joseph provided everything they needed for the road ahead, at his word.
Jesus provides everything we need for the Christian life:
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through knowing Him (2 Peter 1:3).
Christ Jesus has become for us wisdom from God, righteousness, sanctification and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).
God’s word of grace is able to build us up and give us an inheritance (Acts 20:32).
The implanted word is able to save our souls (James 1:21).
The Scriptures make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ (2 Timothy 3:15).

As he sent them off, Joseph said, “Don’t quarrel along the way.” (The phrase can also mean “don’t be troubled” or “don’t get agitated.”)

Paul says everything is permissible, but not everything is helpful or builds up (1 Corinthians 10:23). Ask: Is this helping me on my journey? Does it keep my eyes on Jesus or distract me?
No soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs; he wants to please the one who enlisted him (2 Timothy 2:4). I’m in the Lord’s army. He saved me and gave me a mission: to know Him and make Him known.

“I’ve given you what you need for the journey, so don’t get sidetracked. You don’t need other provisions, other paths or other goals. I’m all you need.”

Do you know someone who has gotten troubled along the way: distracted, discouraged, depressed? They’ve taken their eyes off Jesus. Here’s how it gets fixed.

They went home to Canaan and told Jacob, “Joseph is still alive! He’s ruler over all Egypt!” Jacob’s heart went numb; he didn’t believe them. But when they told him all the words Joseph had said, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. Israel said, “Enough! My son Joseph is still alive. I’ll go see him before I die.”

It starts with the Word, and the Word leads to grace.
The carts, the provisions, the grace: that’s what revived Jacob.
The cure for spiritual dryness is the Word and grace.

The New Testament keeps putting them together:

In Iconium, the Lord confirmed “the word of His grace” with signs and wonders (Acts 14:3).
Paul entrusted the Ephesian elders to God and “the word of His grace,” which is able to build them up (Acts 20:32). Learning about grace through God’s Word, and believing it, changes you.
Our words should give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29).
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Colossians 3:16).

Grace Takeaway

Joseph didn’t meet his guilty brothers with condemnation, but with tears, embraces and carts full of provision. Jesus does the same for us. If your spirit has grown numb, listen to His words and look at His carts: everything He has freely given you in Christ. Let the Word of His grace revive you, and don’t get troubled along the way.

For Discussion

Do you ever beat yourself up over your failures or sins? Is that right? Why do we do it?
What’s the biblical way to deal with guilt? What does God’s Word say about our failures?
Dig deeper: confession. Why does God want our confession if He already knows our sin?
– Genesis 3:8-9. If God knows everything, why does He ask Adam and Eve where they are?
– Genesis 4:8-9. Why does God ask Cain where Abel is? What choice do these questions give us?
– 1 John 1:9. Is confession a rule, or an invitation?
– James 5:16. Why do you think forgiveness isn’t mentioned here, but healing is?
– Isaiah 43:25. Why does God forgive?

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Carts of Revival