Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The Disclosure of Joseph to his brothers was awkward for them

2. They needed to process what Joseph had declared to them

3. Fear filled their hearts because of their past wickedness

JOSEPH’S FURTHER WORD TO HIS BROTHERS

9 “Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph: “God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry.

10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children’s children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have.

11 There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine.”

Genesis 45:9-11

1. Bringing a word to their father, Jacob

2. This message may be divided in the following way:

a) A personal word

i) Joseph was the source of this message

“Thus says your son Joseph” Genesis 45:9

ii) A deep sense of affection may be detected

iii) There was joy in naming himself as the son of Jacob

iv) God was exalted in this message

1. It was God who had blessed Joseph

2. It was God who had made him “lord of all Egypt”

b) An invitation was given to Jacob

i) To come and see Joseph in Egypt

ii) To dwell in the land of Goshen Genesis 45:10a

iii) To be near to Joseph Genesis 45:10b

c) This invitation was extended to all that Jacob had

i) His children

ii) His grandchildren

iii) His flocks and herds

iv) All that he had (including servants)

JOSEPH’S FIRM PROMISE TO PROVIDE

1. He will provide for all of them

a) The famine was only in the second year

b) There would be five more years to go

2. Without this provision, the family would fall into poverty Genesis 45:11

a) This was a humbling reality

b) This was a grim fact in the face of a severe famine

REASSURANCE IS GIVEN

12 “And behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my mouth that speaks to you. 13 So you shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen; and you shall hurry and bring my father down here.”

Genesis 45:12-13

1. The words of Joseph

a) He was speaking before their very eyes

b) Benjamin’s name was included for good effect

2. These words

a) They were not false words

b) They were not a trap

c) They were genuine

d) They were words of love and forgiveness

3. They must respond positively

a) They cannot continue to stand there

i) Wondering in disbelief

ii) Unable to respond because of deep fear

b) They must hurry back to their father

i) He would be alone

ii) All his sons were in Egypt

iii) He would be worrying about their well-being

c) They may speak to their father about Joseph

i) How he is arrayed in glory

ii) How they must all plan to leave Canaan and dwell in Egypt

d) Of course, it would mean that

i) They would have to confess their past sinful behaviour

ii) But in the light of the circumstances, all would be overlooked

REACHING OUT TO THE BROTHERS

14 Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck.

15 Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with him.

Genesis 45:14-15

1. Joseph had to make the first move

a) He went to Benjamin

b) He wept on Benjamin’s neck

c) Benjamin in turn wept on Joseph’s neck

2. Joseph then went on to each of his brothers

a) He wept over each one

b) Only then was the barrier of fear removed

3. This was a tearful time of reunion for the brothers

a) It was genuine grace and mercy extended

b) It was great to be a family they never enjoyed

c) Gratitude was felt by all

i) To God for His mercy

ii) To Joseph, their benefactor

CONCLUSION

1. God’s mercy was felt deeply that day

2. His blessings must never be taken for granted