Chapter 45

Verse 1 – Joseph reveals himself. The brothers have been wined and dined. They have started back home but were overtaken by soldiers and brought back. When they were brought back one of them was accused of stealing. Now they are a little nervous. They are not quite sure of themselves. Believers who are not sure of themselves are that way because they are not sure of God’s Word. If you are sure of God’s Word you are always oriented. When Joseph reveals himself, are they happy?

Verse 3 – “And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.” They tossed him down a pit and sold him into slavery, now here he is!

Verses 4 & 5 – Joseph has to reassure them. Here is a great man of grace. He doesn’t reprove or rebuke them. Here is the mental attitude of a great believer: “for God did send me before you to preserve life.” Romans 8:28. He doesn’t condone what they did. The whole principle: under grace God turns cursing into blessing.

Verses 6-9, Joseph gives all the credit to God. It is all because of who and what God is.

Verse 19 – he sent back wagons. They didn’t have wagons in Palestine, they had wagons in Egypt. Cf. verses 21, 27, 28. Notice that it is when Jacob saw the wagons. At first he was quite upset but when he saw the wagons he changed his mind.