For much of his youth, Joseph’s life had been characterized by uncertainty and transition. At 17 years old (Genesis 37:2), he was sold into slavery by his brothers who had a great hatred for him (Genesis 37) because of their father’s favoritism (Genesis 37:3). After becoming a slave in Egypt, Joseph found favor in the house of Potiphar until his wife accused Joseph of rape and had him thrown into prison (Genesis 39). In prison Joseph developed a reputation for interpreting dreams (Genesis 40) which eventually landed him before Pharaoh (Genesis 41). Joseph revealed that Pharaoh’s dreams foretold of an upcoming famine, so he put Joseph in charge of sustaining Egypt during these seven years of barrenness. The severe famine caused Joseph’s brothers to make a journey to Egypt in order to buy food but unbeknownst to them, they were standing before their brother whom they sold into slavery more than fifteen years earlier (Genesis 42). Joseph accused them of being spies and demanded that they bring back their younger brother, Benjamin, to prove that they were not spies. The brothers returned to Egypt with Benjamin and through a series of tests Joseph discovered that there had been a change of heart within his brothers (Genesis 43-44).
“Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, ‘Make everyone go out from me!’ So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it“ (45:1-2). Fear immediately struck his brothers (45:3), but Joseph comforted them saying, “But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life” (45:4-5). Furthermore, Joseph said to them, “…God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt” (45:6-8). Rather than blaming God for his adverse circumstances throughout his life, Joseph recognized that God had used them to eventually preserve their family. Joseph commanded his brothers to return to Canaan and bring back their father, Jacob, as well as their families to Egypt so that they could survive the next five years of the famine (45:9-11). The brothers were in awe of God’s protecting hand and they talked together with Joseph (45:12-15).
When Pharaoh heard of the reunion between Joseph and his brothers it pleased him and he demanded that they return to Egypt with their families, where they would receive the best of the land of Egypt (45:16-20). When they arrived in Canaan they said to their father, “Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt” (45:21-26a). Upon hearing this news, Jacob’s “…heart stood still, because he did not believe them” (45:26b); however, “when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived” (45:27). Jacob then determined to go to Egypt so that he could see Joseph before he died (45:28). The story of Joseph had begun in tragedy, but was ending in celebration.
Dear God, give me the outlook of Joseph.
