Genesis 45:14-28 –Reconciled, redeemed, and restored

The brothers were finally reconciled. Emotionally Joseph fell upon the neck of Benjamin, his brother, and wept. Then one by one he kissed his brothers and wept upon them. Just imagine the joyful scene, guilt and bitterness were replaced by forgiveness and love.  Joseph talked non-stop with each one. There was plenty to catch up for they had been apart for twenty years. 

Though Pharaoh was not present at the scene, he heard concerning what had happened. When he was told that Joseph’s brothers had come to Egypt, he was truly glad for him. And he made a generous offer. He told Joseph to load their animals and return to Canaan and bring his father and his household to Egypt. He promised them the best place in Egypt so that they could live in prosperity. Truly when a man’s way pleases the Lord, he made everyone, even his enemies, to be at peace with him.

So in verses 24-25, we see their departure. Joseph bade them farewell as they prepared themselves for their departure home to bring Jacob with them to Egypt. Joseph took liberty and did as Pharaoh had instructed. So he gave to them wagons and provisions for their journey home. Everyone received a change of clothes. But to Benjamin five changes of clothes and three hundred shekels of silver. And for his father he sent the following items: ten donkeys loaded with good things from Egypt and ten female donkeys loaded with grains, bread and provision for him to come to Egypt. The clothes were intentional. Remember it was the multi-coloured tunic that the father gave Joseph that had started the jealousy and squabbles. Now the giving of changes of clothes signifies forgiveness and reconciliation. Benjamin had five and none of his brothers was jealous. Joseph was truly generous, so much like our Saviour, who gave us generously our clothes of righteousness. What Joseph gave to them were physical clothes, but what Jesus our Saviour gave to us are spiritual clothes – the clothes of righteousness.  

Sensing that the brothers could begin to point their fingers at each other and try to deflect the blame from themselves for how they had cruelly treated Joseph, so he gave them a piece of sound advice for their journey. He told them not to quarrel on the way to Canaan. Nothing could be more needful and appropriate. Here he was telling them to chill. And soon they were on their way home with joyful and gladden hearts. Their journey home could not be any sweeter as they carry the good news to their father.

Verses 25-28 narrate for us what took place when they reached home. They couldn’t wait to tell their father the great news. There was no necessity to draw lots on who should be the bearer of the news. Unlike when they had to tell the father that Joseph was devoured by a wolf, now everyone jostled to tell the father the good news. We can imagine the scene that they all tried to speak at the same time till Jacob had to say, “Please speak one by one, sons.” When Jacob heard what they said, he went numb. He could not believe what he had heard. He could not believe his eyes, Simeon and Benjamin returned intact. Eagerly he listened to their account of how Joseph had treated them in Egypt.  That day, the spirit of Jacob who died with the news of Joseph’s death was revived. Jacob was exuberant once again. His mind could have returned to the dreams of Joseph. And he was about to make his journey to Egypt, and to the fulfillment of the dreams God gave to Joseph.

We can’t help but see that Joseph served a merciful and gracious God. Besides, He also answered his father’s prayer. Remember, Jacob prayed to Him for his sons to experience mercy and Joseph treated them mercifully. Yes mercy beyond their wildest imagination. In this account, we can see that this God not only controlled the events in Joseph’s life and that of his brothers’, but He also controlled the world. Even nature was at his behest. And to think that we are also serving this same God: merciful, gracious, forgiving, and prayer answering. Whether it be a mountain, a troubled sea or a desert experience, He will use them all to help us lay a hold of us and make His dreams for us come true. What a glorious God!