Gen 45:1-15 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gen 45:1-15: 45:1-15 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 ).

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).