Genesis 45

God had accomplished what was necessary in this painful interaction between Joseph and his brothers. Judah was true to his pledge to stand as a substitute for the beloved young son of Jacob, Benjamin. This willing service is very close to the heart of God, who gave Jesus as our Substitute. God moved the heart of Joseph to the point where the great man could no longer control himself. He ordered all the servants out of the room and revealed himself to his brothers.

“I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” His brothers were overwhelmed and even terrified at his presence. Joseph knew, and he drew them near. This is what God does to us through our Redeemer. He knows our fears, and He brings us close.

Joseph does not hide the facts. He says, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.” But then he ministers comfort to them by explaining the divine purpose behind their evil deed: God brought Joseph to Egypt to save lives. We know that our sins brought Christ to the cross, but in the gracious purpose of God, Jesus died on the cross in order to provide for our eternal life. When God reminds us of His plan of grace, the honest and horrific fact of our sin must melt away in the presence of the glory of God's goodness in what lies ahead of us.

Joseph is able to see past the Ishmaelites, Potiphar's wife, the cupbearer's forgetfulness, and the strange drama of Joseph's secret identity in the face of his worshiping brothers. He sees the hand of God working out a divine purpose. What a gift to be able to see the Lord! He not only sees God through the clouds; he speaks to the very brothers who wronged him to help them to see the Lord's grace for them.

Like the great man in Luke 15 who catches a glimpse of his lost boy coming to him from afar, Joseph has no interest in dwelling upon his brothers' sins. He has more important business that he needs them to attend to right away. “Hurry and go up to my father.” This is his concern―the father who loves him―Jacob, who almost died from the false word of his Joseph's death. He has a word for his father, “Thus says your son Joseph, 'God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry.'”

Just as Joseph loves his father, and even more, Jesus loves His Father and has proven His love by laying down His life for our sake. When the time came for His work on earth to be completed, Jesus was eager to return home to His Father in heaven. But the Lord's long-term plan is not to have us all go with Him to heaven just to stay there. Our heavenly stay is a temporary solution to the problem that came upon this world in Adam's sin. God's intention is for the Father and His entire heavenly family to come here to dwell with us forever without sin or death.

At the Joseph stage of God's larger story, we have Jacob going to Egypt with all that he has and settling in the land of Goshen. But when God's great story is fulfilled, He will come here and transform everything. Until then, for a little while, it is appropriate for us to go to Him in heaven while we wait for the fulfillment of His perfect plan. Surely there is much good for us to do above as we prepare everything for the return of the Lord to the earth. Even now we have a few moments in these very brief lives that we spend here below to seek the glory of God and His kingdom.

Joseph tells his brothers to speak to their father Jacob about his glories in Egypt. Perhaps we should find a place in our prayers to speak to our heavenly Father about the glory of His Son. As we gaze upon His face in the Word, and as we discover more of the unsearchable riches of Christ, we should sing about these glories to our great God. The wonder of Jesus and His kingdom should stir our hearts deeply, and our lips should be filled with His praise.

It is this great and honest jubilation that can have an impact on both the church and the world. The news of what happened with Joseph and his brothers reached the ears of Pharaoh, and it pleased him and his servants. Joseph had made a good name for himself in Egypt. Why should we not have a good name all over the earth? We are the people of Jesus Christ, and we want to do good everywhere. Jesus is able to lead us into great works that should cause many to be glad.

Pharaoh wanted to help Joseph in the reunion between Joseph and his father. Is it possible that many in the world might love to see the goodness and order that the church is bringing to their lands, and would actually be happy to assist us in the work that God has for us here below? This can happen. Others may give us the “carts” that speed up that work. Many are eager to welcome literacy workers who will eventually translate the Scriptures into the languages of their lands. They should be happy. Nothing could be better than to have the people of any nation come to know the truth about God.

But we will not have this kind of testimony among our neighbors if we quarrel with each other all the time. Joseph felt obliged to instruct His brothers, “Do not quarrel on the way.” This is good advice. We cannot glorify God and fight with each other. We need to love one another from the heart.

The Father will happily receive our true praise as we discover that Jesus is alive. Jacob was blessed to hear these words: “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” Will our Father in heaven love our boasting in Christ and His grace any less than Jacob rejoiced in the good news of his son? Rejoice in the Lord always and live at peace in the church and, as much as it depends upon you, in the world.