Joseph kept up the ruse as long as he could, and could contain his emotions no longer. He told all the Egyptians to leave the room, and he revealed to his brothers that he was Joseph. They were astonished and could not respond for a while. He basically forgave them for their evil done to him, and explained that God had sent him before them and showed him favor with Pharaoh so that he could provide for them during the famine. Here, the second-most powerful man in Egypt has revealed that he is your long-lost brother, who you sold into slavery years ago. How could you not be astonished? Can you just imagine the range of emotions? Shock and awe, for sure, but also guilt, amazement, joy, fear of retribution, and confusion all must have been racing through their minds and emotions. The Joseph changes gears and begins to give instructions.
Joseph instructs them to go and reveal the news to their father and bring him back to Egypt, so that he can provide well for all of them during the remainder of the famine. He also instructs them to tell his father of his glory in Egypt, and how God has favored him. He hugs them and shares greetings with them, and they are finally able to talk with him once the shock wore off.
Pharaoh heard of the news, and sent them in fine carts with gifts to go retrieve their father. The brothers go, and reveal the wonderful news to Israel, who nearly has a heart attack, but revives at the site of all the carts and gifts from Pharaoh. He determines to go the Egypt to see his son.
He stopped along the way at Beersheba and offered sacrifices to God, who told him not to fear going to Egypt. He said, “I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again….” Do Israel continues his journey without fear, taking 66 men plus their wives down to Egypt to meet Joseph. A total of 70 plus their wives would be together in Egypt. The expansion is happening. The nation is growing. And we will see the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant in the days to come.
The recurring themes in the lives of the Patriarchs surface over and over again. This story is no different: covenant, promise, faithfulness, and fulfillment are realized in this story of the reunion in Egypt. Although twists and turns come all along the way–including what appeared to be shattered dreams and losses–God is faithful and will not turn away from that which He has promised. God is faithful!
Devoted To You 