This is part of a video series covering the entire Bible in 4 years, one chapter at a time. Start at the beginning with Genesis 1 (Youtube link: https://youtu.be/wC2qD4RGOdo) and work through the playlist. Or go to https://www.peace.org.au/bible.html for more information.
In this video listen to Genesis 45 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.
In Genesis 45 Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and they were terrified. That one word says a lot about the state of their emotions right in that moment. Forgiveness was not common in the ancient world, and revenge was. However Joseph’s reassurance must have done a lot.
Another thing that would certainly have helped, although not mentioned here, was the recalling to mind of Joseph’s dreams. That would have shown all the brothers that God had been in this right from the start. And also, by sending them back with provisions would have helped them a lot, it would have assured them too.
In verse 24 Joseph tells his brothers as they depart to go back to Canaan, not to quarrel on the way. In my opinion, this is one of the funniest verses in the bible. It is a brother having a dig at his brothers knowing what might happen.
When Jacob hears the word about Joseph, he is revived, and energy, hope and many other things return to him. This is right at the very end of his life. It goes to show that it can take until our very last moments to see what God has been up to.
There are two things to conclude here: God is always with us even if right until the end of our lives we don’t see it. And God is an eternal God…. so his goodness is waiting for us in eternity, even if we do never see it now.
Feb 15, 2021 | Message by David Alley