Genesis 45
Summary for Gen 45:1-15: 45:1-15 a In one of the most dramatic scenes of the book, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, bringing the process of reconciling with them to a climax (see also 50:14-21 b).45:2 c This is the third of five times in the story that Joseph wept over his brothers (see also 42:24 d; 43:30 e; 45:14 f; 50:17 g; cp. 50:1 h).
45:3 i The brothers were stunned at the news, unable to speak from amazement and fear (45:5 j; cp. 50:15 k).
Summary for Gen 45:5-8: 45:5-8 l God ... sent me is the central message of the account of Jacob’s family (37:2 m). As the Lord had told Abraham, he was leading the Israelites into Egypt (15:13 n). God had sent Joseph to Egypt to prepare for his family’s rescue during the famine. In what has become a classic statement of God’s sovereignty, Joseph explained that God had been working through all of the circumstances and human acts to bring about his plan. The certainty of God’s will is the basis for forgiveness and reconciliation with those who do wrong, cause hurt, or bring harm. If people do not believe that God is sovereign, then they will blame others and retaliate. Those who are spiritual will trust that God is at work even through human wickedness (see also Rom 8:28-30 o).
Summary for Gen 45:9-13: 45:9-13 p Joseph instructed his brothers to inform Jacob. The whole family was to move to Egypt and live in Goshen, a fertile region in the Nile delta (see 47:1-12 q). If they did not come to Egypt, they would not survive the five years of famine ahead.
45:10 r The region of Goshen was in the northeast corner of Egypt, only a few days’ walk from Canaan. Jacob’s family stayed there because there was food and water for themselves and their flocks; later, they were kept there by Egyptians who put them to slave labor.
Summary for Gen 45:14-15: 45:14-15 s Joseph was reunited with his brothers—first with Benjamin and then with the rest. Their previous hatred and jealousy of Joseph (37:4-11 t) had come to an end. The brothers experienced forgiveness from God and from Joseph. Far from commanding his brothers to bow down to him (see 42:6-7 u), Joseph welcomed them. Joseph held no grudge because he accepted what had happened as God’s work and saw the good that had resulted (see 50:14-21 v). This is how wisdom rules: The wise leader will forgive and restore (see study note on 37:2–50:26).
Summary for Gen 45:16-47:12: 45:16–47:12 w This section is transitional, as the family moved from Canaan to Goshen, where they would live for the next four centuries.
Summary for Gen 45:16-25: 45:16-25 x Joseph sent his brothers with instructions to bring Jacob and the entire family to Egypt. Out of gratitude for Joseph’s having saved all of Egypt (45:18 y; see 47:20 z), Pharaoh promised the best of all the land of Egypt, and Joseph gave them the finest products of Egypt.
45:24 aa Don’t quarrel about all this along the way! When they were away from Joseph, they might begin to accuse one another about the past or argue about how to explain what had happened to Jacob. It was now time to put the past behind them and enjoy the reunion.
Summary for Gen 45:26-28: 45:26-28 ab As might be expected, Jacob was stunned when he heard that his son Joseph was still alive and ruling all the land of Egypt. As he heard the details of their story and saw all that Joseph had sent him, he was convinced that it was true. He immediately prepared to move to Egypt and reunite with his son Joseph, whom he had not seen for twenty-two years.
45:27 ac their father’s spirits revived: This royal invitation to Jacob, an old man near the end of hope, and to the ten brothers burdened with guilty fears, was a turning point in their lives. It was also a fulfillment of God’s prediction (15:13-16 ad) that they would go into seclusion in a foreign country and there become a great nation without losing their identity. The joyful news about Joseph changed the lives of everyone in this family for the good.
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