Dave Burnette's Commentary

Genesis Chapter 45

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Moses
Date Penned: (1450-1410 BC)
Overview: The Record of God's Chosen People (c 23-50)
Theme: The Story of Joseph (c 37-50)
Message: Joseph Sends for Jacob (v 1-28)

Genesis 45 Commentary

(45:1-8) God Remains in Control - Although Joseph's brothers had wanted to get rid of him, God used even their evil actions to fulfill his ultimate plan. He had sent Joseph ahead to preserve their lives, save Egypt, and prepare the way for the beginning of the nation of Israel. God is sovereign. His plans are not dictated by human actions. When others intend evil toward you, remember Joseph's words to his brothers: "Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive" (50:20).

(45:17-20) Joseph Demonstrates Faithfulness - Joseph had been rejected, kidnapped, enslaved, and imprisoned. Although his brothers had been unfaithful to him, he graciously forgave them and shared his prosperity. Joseph is one of the clearly Christlike heroes of the Old Testament. He demonstrated how God forgives us and showers us with goodness even though we have sinned against him. The same forgiveness and blessings are ours if we ask for them.

(45:24) Joseph Does Not Complain - "See that ye fall not out by the way" could be translated, "Don't quarrel along the way."

(45:26-27) Jacob Lacks Faith - Jacob needed some evidence before he could believe the incredible news that Joseph was alive. Similarly, Thomas refused to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead until he could see and touch him John 20:25). It is hard to change what you believe without all the facts--and sometimes even with the facts. Good news can be difficult to believe. But don't ever give up hope that God has a wonderful future in store for you.


Dave Burnette's Life Application

Forgiveness


Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter, making application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. There are many applications we can make from each day's text. Today we Continue in the book of Genesis with Chapter 45, and in today's text, we see Joseph making himself known to his brothers in a true example of forgiveness. We see not only his forgiveness but also Joseph's understanding of God's bigger plan for his life. No doubt by the reaction of Joseph that he forgave his brothers long before their reunion. He longed to embrace them before his plan of restoring and reuniting the whole family. Simply put, Joseph forgave those who did him wrong, and his forgiveness benefited his entire family. It also restored the foundation of the Jewish race, the lineage of Christ. Later, Jesus would forgive us when our sins nailed Him to the cross, and his forgiveness will restore and reconcile us to God if we received His free pardon from sin. In making an application and with the examples placed before us, how can we choose not to forgive others who wrong us? We are to forgive. How about you? Do you harbor an unforgiving spirit toward others? If so, forgive, as God has told us and exampled the truth of forgiveness. 

 

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Genesis 45


Genesis 45

 1Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.

 2And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

 3And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.

 4And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

 5Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

 6For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.

 7And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

 8So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

 9Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:

 10And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:

 11And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.

 12And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.

 13And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.

 14And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.

 15Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

 16And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.

 17And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;

 18And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.

 19Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.

 20Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is your's.

 21And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.

 22To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.

 23And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.

 24So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.

 25And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,

 26And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.

 27And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:

 28And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.