Genesis 45 – Study

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Genesis 45:1-8

1 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, ‘Make everyone leave my presence!’ So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.

3 Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph! Is my father still living?’ But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come close to me.’ When they had done so, he said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no ploughing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 ‘So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.

A. Find Out:

1. How was Joseph affected by Judah ‘s plea? v.1,2
2. How did the brothers respond when Joseph revealed himself to them? v.3
3. What did he say not to be? v.5a
4. Why? v.5b
5. How many times did he reiterate this? v.5-8
6. How many years’ famine are still to come? v.6

B. Think:

1. How COULD Joseph have used his position with these brothers?
2. How can you account for his generous and forgiving attitude towards his brothers?
3. How had he actually got there?

C. Comment:

This must be one of the most remarkable and lovely passages in the Old Testament. After Judah has shown his willingness to give his life for Benjamin’s, Joseph just cannot contain himself anymore. He sends his servants out and then just weeps with joy and pleasure and happiness at the wonder of these “new” brothers of his.  At this his brothers’ reaction is exactly the opposite. They realize what they deserve, and the power Joseph now has to do it!  They are terrified!   They fully expect him to take vengeance on them, for that would be the natural thing to happen!

But the wonder continues. Instead of bitter anger and revenge Joseph goes to great lengths to put them at ease and not feel bad about it. His explanation is truly incredible. Three times he says that it was God who brought him here. This was all God’s doing. It is amazing what God has done in this man’s heart! There is purity of heart in the revelation of the purposes of God and not an ounce of recrimination.

D. Application?

1. Ask the Lord, if you can’t see it, to open the eyes of your heart to see the wonder of what He has done in the heart of Joseph.
2. If you look back on bad times, ask the Lord to transform your understanding to see His purposes.

Passage: Genesis 45:9-20

9 Now hurry back to my father and say to him, “This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. 10 You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me – you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. 11 I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.”

12 ‘You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. 13 Tell my father about all the honour accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.’

14 Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterwards his brothers talked with him.

16 When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Tell your brothers, “Do this: load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, 18 and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.”

19 ‘You are also instructed to tell them, “Do this: take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. 20 Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.”’

A. Find Out:    

1. To whom does Joseph send them? v.9
2. Where does he say they can live? v.10
3. How many years of famine are to come? v.11
4. How did he express his joy? v.14,15
5. What did Pharaoh feel? v.16
6. What did he say could happen? 17-20

B. Think:

1. How were Joseph and Pharaoh of the same heart?
2. What must Pharaoh have felt about Joseph to have responded in the way he did?
3. What sort of future was being offered to Jacob and his family?

C. Comment:

Joseph’s joy is overflowing. He has had to reveal himself to his brothers and now all his feelings for them pour out into the open.   All he wishes to do is bless them, and he’s in the position to do that as President of Egypt. The obvious thing is for old Jacob and all the family to come to Egypt and see out the famine there with plentiful provision. In particular his joy over seeing his closest brother also bubbles over with a burst of joyful weeping. In all of this there is not a speck of feeling against the brothers. He holds nothing against them for the past. When we are in a position of security and blessing, it is always easier to forgive others the past.

Finally we see Pharaoh’s reaction when he hears Joseph’s brothers have come. His response is instant. He too sees that it is obvious for the family to come and live in Egypt. His feeling for Joseph is obviously one that says “Well, you have blessed me. Let me bless your family”.   How tremendous!  The effect Joseph has had on this mighty ruler is obvious and now he is reaping his reward in full!   This is a story about the sovereign will of God working to bring blessing to all involved – but then that is His intention all the time!

D. Application?

1. Ask the Lord to help you have to sort of forgiving heart that Joseph had, towards ANYONE who has wronged you in the past (see Matthew 6:12,14,15)
2. Receive and thank Him for His grace.

Passage: Genesis 45:21-28

21 So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. 22 To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. 23 And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey. 24 Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, ‘Don’t quarrel on the way!’

25 So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. 26 They told him, ‘Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.’ Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. 27 But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. 28 And Israel said, ‘I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.’

A. Find Out:

1. What did Joseph give each of them? v.21,22a
2. What did he give Benjamin? v.22b
3. What did he send his father? v.23
4. What did he instruct them not to do? v.24
5. What was Jacob’s first response? v.26
6. What convinced him? v.27,28

B. Think:

1. Why would Jacob have found it so hard to believe the news?
2. How had Joseph provided for this eventuality?
3. If we were not sure about it before, what do the provisions say about Joseph’s position?

C. Comment:

Joseph provides them with all they will need to respond to Pharaoh’s command.  They have carts to transport their families and all their belongings back to Egypt, provisions to see them home and back, new clothes as befit the family of Egypt’s ruler, special riches for Benjamin and many presents for Jacob. Perhaps Joseph realized that Jacob would have a hard time believing the brothers and so provided such abundance for them that he couldn’t do anything but believe!  Whichever way it was, he blessed them with great abundance.

When the brothers return home, Jacob does have big problems believing that Joseph is alive. For years and years, he has grieved the loss of his favorite son, and now he’s told that that the one who was dead is alive! It is no wonder that it is a problem to him, but the evidence before his eyes convinces him, it MUST be true!  Many people today have difficulty believing that the one who was dead is now alive, Jesus!

D. Application?

1. Do we have a problem believing that God wants to bless us with great abundance? Then look up the following verses: 2 Corinthians 9:8 / Ephesians 1:18,19 / Matthew 16:27 / Mark 10:29,30
2. Were you disappointed? Ask the Lord to cleanse your heart of  materialism and help you seek first His kingdom (Matthew 6:33)