Genesis 45

1 non se poterat ultra cohibere Ioseph multis coram adstantibus unde praecepit ut egrederentur cuncti foras et nullus interesset alienus agnitioni mutuae

2 elevavitque vocem cum fletu quam audierunt Aegyptii omnisque domus Pharaonis

3 et dixit fratribus suis ego sum Ioseph adhuc pater meus vivit nec poterant respondere fratres nimio timore perterriti

4 ad quos ille clementer accedite inquit ad me et cum accessissent prope ego sum ait Ioseph frater vester quem vendidistis in Aegypto

5 nolite pavere nec vobis durum esse videatur quod vendidistis me in his regionibus pro salute enim vestra misit me Deus ante vos in Aegyptum

6 biennium est quod fames esse coepit in terra et adhuc quinque anni restant quibus nec arari poterit nec meti

7 praemisitque me Deus ut reservemini super terram et escas ad vivendum habere possitis

8 non vestro consilio sed Dei huc voluntate missus sum qui fecit me quasi patrem Pharaonis et dominum universae domus eius ac principem in omni terra Aegypti

9 festinate et ascendite ad patrem meum et dicetis ei haec mandat filius tuus Ioseph Deus me fecit dominum universae terrae Aegypti descende ad me ne moreris

10 et habita in terra Gessen erisque iuxta me tu et filii tui et filii filiorum tuorum oves tuae et armenta tua et universa quae possides

11 ibique te pascam adhuc enim quinque anni residui sunt famis ne et tu pereas et domus tua et omnia quae possides

12 en oculi vestri et oculi fratris mei Beniamin vident quod os meum loquatur ad vos

13 nuntiate patri meo universam gloriam meam et cuncta quae vidistis in Aegypto festinate et adducite eum ad me

14 cumque amplexatus recidisset in collum Beniamin fratris sui flevit illo quoque flente similiter super collum eius

15 osculatusque est Ioseph omnes fratres suos et ploravit super singulos post quae ausi sunt loqui ad eum

16 auditumque est et celebri sermone vulgatum in aula regis venerunt fratres Ioseph et gavisus est Pharao atque omnis familia eius

17 dixitque ad Ioseph ut imperaret fratribus suis dicens onerantes iumenta ite in terram Chanaan

18 et tollite inde patrem vestrum et cognationem et venite ad me et ego dabo vobis omnia bona Aegypti ut comedatis medullam terrae

19 praecipe etiam ut tollant plaustra de terra Aegypti ad subvectionem parvulorum suorum et coniugum ac dicito tollite patrem vestrum et properate quantocius venientes

20 ne dimittatis quicquam de supellectili vestra quia omnes opes Aegypti vestrae erunt

21 fecerunt filii Israhel ut eis mandatum fuerat quibus dedit Ioseph plaustra secundum Pharaonis imperium et cibaria in itinere

22 singulisque proferri iussit binas stolas Beniamin vero dedit trecentos argenteos cum quinque stolis optimis

23 tantundem pecuniae et vestium mittens patri suo addens eis asinos decem qui subveherent ex omnibus divitiis Aegypti et totidem asinas triticum in itinere panesque portantes

24 dimisit ergo fratres suos et proficiscentibus ait ne irascamini in via

25 qui ascendentes ex Aegypto venerunt in terram Chanaan ad patrem suum Iacob

26 et nuntiaverunt ei dicentes Ioseph vivit et ipse dominatur in omni terra Aegypti quo audito quasi de gravi somno evigilans tamen non credebat eis

27 illi contra referebant omnem ordinem rei cumque vidisset plaustra et universa quae miserat revixit spiritus eius

28 et ait sufficit mihi si adhuc Ioseph filius meus vivit vadam et videbo illum antequam moriar

Genesis 45 Commentary

Chapter 45

Joseph comforts his brethren, and sends for his father. (1-15) Pharaoh confirms Joseph's invitation, Joseph's gifts to his brethren. (16-24) Jacob receives the news of Joseph's being alive. (25-28)

Verses 1-15 Joseph let Judah go on, and heard all he had to say. He found his brethren humbled for their sins, mindful of himself, for Judah had mentioned him twice in his speech, respectful to their father, and very tender of their brother Benjamin. Now they were ripe for the comfort he designed, by making himself known. Joseph ordered all his attendants to withdraw. Thus Christ makes himself and his loving-kindness known to his people, out of the sight and hearing of the world. Joseph shed tears of tenderness and strong affection, and with these threw off that austerity with which he had hitherto behaved toward his brethren. This represents the Divine compassion toward returning penitents. "I am Joseph, your brother." This would humble them yet more for their sin in selling him, but would encourage them to hope for kind treatment. Thus, when Christ would convince Paul, he said, I am Jesus; and when he would comfort his disciples, he said, It is I, be not afraid. When Christ manifests himself to his people, he encourages them to draw near to him with a true heart. Joseph does so, and shows them, that whatever they thought to do against him, God had brought good out of it. Sinners must grieve and be angry with themselves for their sins, though God brings good out of it, for that is no thanks to them. The agreement between all this, and the case of a sinner, on Christ's manifesting himself to his soul, is very striking. He does not, on this account, think sin a less, but a greater evil; and yet he is so armed against despair, as even to rejoice in what God hath wrought, while he trembles in thinking of the dangers and destruction from which he has escaped. Joseph promises to take care of his father and all the family. It is the duty of children, if the necessity of their parents at any time require it, to support and supply them to the utmost of ( 1 Timothy. 5:4 ) Joseph had embraced Benjamin, he caressed them all, and then his brethren talked with him freely of all the affairs of their father's house. After the tokens of true reconciliation with the Lord Jesus, sweet communion with him follows.

Verses 16-24 Pharaoh was kind to Joseph, and to his relations for his sake. Egypt would make up the losses of their removal. Thus those for whom Christ intends his heavenly glory, ought not to regard the things of this world. The best of its enjoyments are but lumber; we cannot make sure of them while here, much less can we carry them away with us. Let us not set our eyes or hearts upon the world; there are better things for us in that blessed land, whither Christ, our Joseph, is gone to prepare a place. Joseph dismissed his brethren with a seasonable caution, "See that ye fall not out by the way." He knew they were too apt to be quarrelsome; and having forgiven them all, he lays this charge upon them, not to upbraid one another. This command our Lord Jesus has given to us, that we love one another, and that whatever happens, or has happened, we fall not out. For we are brethren, we have all one Father. We are all guilty, and instead of quarrelling with one another, have reason to fall out with ourselves. We are, or hope to be, forgiven of God, whom we have all offended, and, therefore, should be ready to forgive one another. We are "by the way," a way through the land of Egypt, where we have many eyes upon us, that seek advantage against us; a way that leads to the heavenly Canaan, where we hope to be for ever in perfect peace.

Verses 25-28 To hear that Joseph is alive, is too good news to be true; Jacob faints, for he believes it not. We faint, because we do not believe. At length, Jacob is convinced of the truth. Jacob was old, and did not expect to live long. He says, Let my eyes be refreshed with this sight before they are closed, and then I need no more to make me happy in this world. Behold Jesus manifesting himself as a Brother and a Friend to those who once were his despisers, his enemies. He assures them of his love and the riches of his grace. He commands them to lay aside envy, anger, malice, and strife, and to live in peace with each other. He teaches them to give up the world for him and his fulness. He supplies all that is needful to bring them home to himself, that where he is they may be also. And though, when he at last sends for his people, they may for a time feel some doubts and fears, yet the thought of seeing his glory and of being with him, will enable them to say, It is enough, I am willing to die; and I go to see, and to be with the Beloved of my soul.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 45

This chapter contains an account of Joseph's making himself known to his brethren, which was done when they were alone, Ge 45:1-4; when he encouraged them not to distress themselves on account of their selling him into Egypt, for God in his providence had sent him there for their good, Ge 45:5-8; and he ordered them to go forthwith to Canaan, and acquaint his father with all the honour and glory they saw him in, and to desire him to come thither to him, where he should be provided for during the five years of famine yet to come, in the best part of the land of Egypt, Ge 45:9-13; upon which he expressed the strongest affection to Benjamin, and to all his brethren, Ge 45:14,15; the fame of this was soon spread in the house of Pharaoh, which gave the king great pleasure, who immediately expressed his earnest desire that his father might come and settle in Egypt, and ordered provisions to be sent him, and carriages to bring him down, and all that belonged to him, Ge 45:16-20; and Joseph accordingly delivered to his brethren wagons and provisions for the way, and gave gifts to them, and sent a present to his father, and dismissed his brethren with an exhortation not to fall out by the way, Ge 45:21-24; and when they came to Canaan, they acquainted their father with all these things, who at first could not believe them; but when he saw the wagons, his spirit revived, and determined to go and see his son, Ge 45:25-28.