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Sermon preached on Genesis 45 by Rev. W. Reid Hankins during the Morning Worship Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 08/04/2024 in Petaluma, CA.
Sermon Manuscript
Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Here we come to the other half of the climactic moment from last chapter. Last chapter was Joseph’s final big test to see if his brothers had changed. Praise God, we saw clear evidence that they had changed, especially in Judah. He gave up his life to save Benjamin and really his father and brothers too. Last chapter ended effectively as a cliffhanger regarding Judah. It ended with Judah giving up his life, as good as dead. But all that changes as we come into this chapter. If last chapter was a sort of Good Friday moment, today’s chapter is an “Up From the Grave” turn of events. Let us dig in and see the good news as we find Joseph finally revealing himself to them. Then we see this chapter isn’t so much about Judah being back from the dead, but Joseph being back from the dead.
We begin in our first point by observing Joseph revealing himself to his brothers. Starting in verse 1, we see Joseph overwhelmed by the emotions of the situation, particularly at Judah’s great offer of his own life to save Benjamin. He orders everyone to leave, everyone except his brothers, of course. This was to be an intimate family moment, not some public spectacle. Yet, when Joseph reveals himself to them, he is weeping so loudly that the Egyptians still heard him. Even Pharoah’s household heard it, which tells us that Joseph’s house was near the royal palace. Joseph’s tears show the emotion and joy he was experiencing that moment.
Yet, apparently, it took a moment for the brothers to fully understand and appreciate what was going on. A moment ago, they thought they were dealing with some Egyptian ruler who was calling them to an account for the theft of his silver cup. Now, everything suddenly changes, and he is claiming to be their brother Joseph. So, they are described in verse 3 as being initially dismayed. The word in the Hebrew is a word of fear. They are initially terrified at Joseph’s words. I mean, who could blame them for that initial response? Would they even have believed Joseph when he first started to say this? They might wonder if this Egyptian ruler is just pulling some sick joke on them. And once they believe that it really is Joseph, then they’d be afraid he was going to take vengeance on them. I mean, he did just set them up so that in front of all the Egyptian staff, they look like thieves. If now you learn this is really Joseph the whole time, you might wonder if this was all just an elaborate plan to really pay them all back. So, they are at first terrified, and we can appreciate why.
Well, this explains why then in verse 4, Joseph begins to elaborate. He not only repeats himself that he is Joseph, but he adds, the one you sold into slavery. If they hadn’t believed it was really him, this would now confirm it, because who else would know their deep dark secret? But then he also immediately comforts them in verse 5 by telling them not to be distressed and angry because of that, because God has used it all for good. In other words, Joseph’s next words here both confirm his identity and go on to address then the elephant in the room, how they had so horribly sold him into slavery all those years before. But Joseph’s words immediately extend mercy and peace to them. They don’t have to be afraid. Joseph’s revealing himself to them is not for judgment but for joy and salvation.
Look how Joseph proves that with his actions. Jump down to verse 12. After his extended words to him, he then acknowledges that they all now know it is him. Their own eyes and ears can now confirm to them that this is really Joseph. He then hugs them and kisses them, and weeps over them, verses 14-15. He especially hugs and kisses Benajamin, weeping upon him, who does the same back. He then does the same to all his brothers. Such a kiss was a sign of Joseph’s receiving them. You wouldn’t kiss someone who is an enemy. That’s why Jesus later would point out the hypocrisy of Judas Iscariot who betrays him with a kiss, but I digress. All this was Joseph telling him that he forgave them for all their sin against him. And he was now receiving them back in love.
The result of this assurance is there in verse 15. After all of Joseph’s display of grace and love toward them, the text finally records the brothers talking with him. I think we are supposed to recognize that their demeanor changes based on Joseph’s words and actions. They go from at first being terrified and also upset with themselves to being set at ease. Joseph had essentially told them, “Fear not,” and they finally were able to receive that and be at peace. They then engage in fraternal relations with Joseph, speaking with him. In other words, by the end of verse 15, you see a picture of reunited and even reconciled brothers. You might remember that at the end of chapter 43, I had spoken of them looking like they had a form of reconciliation, but it was actually only a veiled and partial reconciliation since they hadn’t yet actually recognized Joseph. Now, they see and know each other face to face. Now, they have dealt with their past evil through Joseph’s testing of them. Joseph had forgiven them and received them. Now, we see a picture of genuine reconciliation in their talking together.
Let us turn now in our second point to consider more fully the salvation that has come her for Israel. Let’s begin by seeing how that salvation is coming to them through Joseph. In verses 6-11, Josephs explains his story to his Israelite brothers. He explains how his being sold off to Egypt allowed him to go before them there and come into a place of prominence there. He has become like a father to Pharoah and a lord over Pharoah’s house and all Egypt. Joseph says that this is so that he could be used to preserve their lives. He explains that the famine is just getting started. Indeed, they are just two years into the seven year famine. So then, Joseph promises to now provide for them in Egypt. He calls them to go back to their father, and gather up all the family, and bring them back there to Egypt. They can stay in the town of Goshen which will be close to Joseph and also place for their household and livestock to thrive. As Joseph tells them in verse 11, “There I will provide for you.” In the face of many more years of famine left, Joseph promises to save the family.
But that’s not all. We also see salvation for Israel through a more interesting figure. Pharoah himself will be an agent of salvation for Israel. We find this in verses 16-20. Pharoah learns of the news that Joseph’s brothers have arrived. This pleases Pharoah and his servants. So then, Pharoah himself calls for Joseph’s entire family to come to Egypt. He promises them the best that the land of Egypt has to offer. Not only that, he makes all these provisions for this relocation such as these wagons to take the family back to Egypt in style. Pharoah is making it easy for them to move and promising to take great care of them once they arrive. This is quite the contrast from what will happen in a few centuries when they finally decide to leave to return back to the land of Canaan. That future Pharoah is not kind but evil to the Israelites, but I digress.
So then, both Joseph and Pharoah here are agents of salvation for Israel here. But let us not miss that it is ultimately God who is saving Israel. Just look back at Joseph’s description of the situation. He repeatedly credits God. In verses 5, 7, and 8, he repeatedly makes that point that God sent him to Egypt, for the purpose of saving their lives. Furthermore, in verse 9 he credits God for his rise to prominence and position in Egypt. And of course, by extension, why was Pharoah so pleased to show kindness to Joseph’s family? It’s because he has appreciated Joseph and all that Joseph has done for him and Egypt. And so, because God arranged Joseph to find favor with Pharoah, that is why Pharoah is helping to save Joseph’s family of Israel. So, in our second point for today, I want us to recognize that it is God ultimately that is behind the salvation that Israel will enjoy. They will not perish in this great famine, but will actually thrive in Egypt. It’s actually in this venue in which God will grow and multiply Israel to be as numerous as the stars in the heavens, thus he even uses Egypt in how he keeps his covenant promises to them.
Let us then appreciate at this point the beauty of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. This is a beautiful picture of Romans 8:28, where God is working all things for his good purposes. Indeed, God ordained all these things, to bring about the salvation of his people Israel. He did this as part of his keeping covenant and being faithful to the family of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Yet, humans were involved through it all. Joseph’s brothers did that great evil in selling off Joseph to Egypt. They played a part in this, a bad part albeit it. But in a showcase of God’s mercy, he turns their evil around into something good, to redeem them from their former sins unto this wonderful salvation of the household of God’s people. Likewise, Joseph and Pharoah both have their parts in this story. But it was ultimately God ordering it all for his glorious purposes. Let us see this as a testimony to God’s majesty and glory. May it remind us to have hope even in hard times, that for us who are God’s people, Romans 8:28 is still in effect.
Let us turn now to our third point and consider verses 21-28. I’ve titled this point, “Delivering the Good News.” I have in mind how the brothers will return home and tell this all to their father Israel, whom I am sure has been concerned and on the watch, hoping for their safe return.
So, starting in verse 21, Joseph helps them prepare. He gets the wagons that Pharoah authorized and loads them up with provisions for the trip. He also has gifts for them, changes of clothes and silver, with another five-fold portion given to Benjamin over the others, similar to their feast where Benjamin also received five times as many servings. But then he also sends home this very extensive amount of gifts and goods for his father. On the surface, I can’t help but think the logic here doesn’t make a lot of sense. I mean they are going to transport all this back to their father, only to turn around and transport it all back to Egypt. But as we see, this great bounty of gifts essentially serves as a pledge of what is offered back in Egypt. When Israel receives this, it will be as proof that even more awaits him back in Egypt. I love Joseph’s parting words to brothers to not quarrel. He knows them well!
So, the brothers set off and eventually arrive back home in Canaan. There, they declare the good news to their father. Verse 26, “Joseph is still alive!” They also mention his high position in Egypt. But the announcement that he is still alive is especially good news. As I mentioned, there is a resurrection theme here. Israel had thought Joseph was dead. Now, he hears this news that he is alive! Jospeh is alive, he is alive indeed! Of course, in Joseph’s case, he was never actually dead, though Jacob definitely believed that he was dead.
But now he is being asked to believe that Joseph is actually alive. But at first he does not. Verse 26 says that at first his heart became numb when they gave him this news. Why? Verse 26 explains that it is because he doesn’t believe them. Now, who would blame Jacob for such a reaction? How could it possibly be true, that Joseph is not only alive, but even the ruler over all of Egypt! Maybe Israel at first thought they were just playing a trick on him. What a horrible trick that would be! But, Jacob in his wisdom, is not going to assume such words at first glance are credible. Instead, the words only at first remind him of his great loss. Thus, his heart becomes numb at the news, because he doesn’t believe their report, but is just reminded in his heart of Joseph’s death.
But then look what changes his mind and heart. In verse 27, the sons explain the whole story to him. They recount everything that Joseph had spoken to him. Then Israel also sees the wagons with all the bounty that Joseph had sent back to him. Israel takes all this in, the detailed verbal reports and also the tangible proof in the wagons themselves, and that is when Israel’s heart is changed. Verse 27 says that then his spirit is revived. In other words, that’s when he began to believe the report that Joseph is alive. That is then confirmed by his words in verse 28, “Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
Let us take an important application from this point as it relates to the good news that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. From the very first announcement that Jesus was risen, his disciples did not just immediately believe those mere words. For example, in Luke’s gospel, when the report first comes to the eleven disciples, they at first didn’t believe it, thinking they were hearing just idle tales. But that’s when Peter, ran to the tomb to see for himself. John’s gospel tells us that when Peter, along with John, saw that empty tomb, they finally were starting to believe. Ultimately, Jesus made several appearances to show himself, and opened their minds to also understand and believe that he was resurrected.
So, the mere words of Jesus being alive was not alone what brought faith. All the evidences came together until it was an incontrovertible fact. Many became eyewitnesses to the resurrection. It was no longer just some mere words that could be mistaken for an idle tale. Of course, that didn’t mean everyone just believed their report. John’s gospel records the infamous doubting Thomas story. Thomas, one of the twelve, wasn’t present when Jesus first appeared to the disciples. So, he said he wouldn’t believe unless Jesus himself appeared to him personally to prove that he was alive. Of course, by then, Thomas had so much evidence, so many reasons to believe. Thomas had seen Jesus do so many miracles. He had heard Jesus’ own predictions of his death and resurrection. He had been through thick and thin with the other disciples, who all told him in detail about their eyewitness testimony that Jesus was alive. Thomas himself surely saw all the other evidence such as the empty tomb, etc. At that point, he had all the reason he needed to believe, but didn’t. By the grace of God, Jesus appeared to him and took away his doubt. But that story reminds us, like we have here with Jacob, that our faith is not just mere words. It has been confirmed by manifold evidence. May each of us have spirits that are revived as we believe in the good news that Jesus is alive! Jesus has been raised from the dead, for our salvation!
Returning to Israel and family, let me close this final point by saying that it was not enough that Israel came to a mental assent in his faith. To really come to enjoy the goodness of this good news, he needed to exercise his faith in trust by packing up and heading for Egypt. There, he would be able to see his son Joseph again. There, he would also enjoy the salvation from the famine that Joseph offered him as they came to him there in Egypt.
In conclusion, this story of good news for the family of Israel calls us to find good news in the resurrection of Jesus. How will you respond to the gospel that Jesus Christ is alive? Are you dismayed and terrified at the presence of the living Jesus? If you are someone who has slandered his name, you could imagine how it would be if he suddenly showed up in front of you. What would you say or do then? But you see, he is coming again! Yet, he offers you forgiveness for all your sins, if you will turn in faith and repentance unto him. Don’t wait!
Or are you numb to the good news, because you just find it too hard to believe? But whether you believe or not doesn’t change the fact of it being true. Don’t turn a blind eye to the facts. Draw near today to Jesus in faith! Go and see him before you die eternally. You will find that he will receive you with kisses and tears, rejoicing at your salvation along with the angels in heaven, along with our Heavenly Father who has so loved you from eternity.
Yet, here we can find one more point of connection with our story. Israel and family were saved through Joseph but only for now in a temporary land of being a sojourner away from the Land of Promise. We too find salvation already now in Jesus, but our life for the moment is also in a temporary land as sojourners. This world is not our final home. We await the final, eternal Promised Land in the new creation. Jesus himself will return here to personally escort us there, on the day of his return. Let us be ready in faith for that great Exodus into glory!
Amen.
Copyright © 2024 Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
All Rights Reserved.
