Mark continued his fascinating series on Joseph by looking at Genesis 45. The story has reached the climatic point where Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers. Judah’s plea for mercy, offering to give his own life so that Benjamin can return with his other brothers so that Jacob is not caused further heartache (Gen 44:30-34) releases the emotion Joseph must have been feeling ever since he first recognised his brothers. Now, it is too much for him and he cannot hold his emotions in any longer.
The ‘big reveal’ is not just about Joseph, however. His brothers are astonished and terrified at this news. They are dumbfounded, unable to find any words to articulate their shock. They must have been afraid when his words ‘I am Joseph your brother, the one you sold into Egypt’ (Gen 45:4) confirmed a fact they had never dared voice to anyone else, which could only have been known by Joseph. What would he do? What would be the final consequences of their sin?
Joseph’s words in Gen 45:5 show us he has finally understood the purpose of all that has happened to him: ‘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.’
Joseph’s response is one of heartfelt forgiveness. He sees the bigger picture. In order for us to forgive as God wants us to, we must:
- let go of the past hurt
- release our emotions to God (the chapter describes Joseph weeping and wailing so loudly that even the Egyptians who had left the room could hear him!)
- receive God’s heart of forgiveness to give us the ability to forgive
- let the person know that we have forgiven them privately so that we can all move on
Joseph is able to forgive because He sees the bigger purposes of God. The ‘big reveal’ is not so much Joseph revealing his identity as God revealing His purposes to him. He realises that God has been with him all along, in every trial and difficulty. God worked through Joseph so that life could be preserved, so that millions of people did not die through famine. God’s plan is that the whole world should be saved through Jesus (see John 3:16) and wherever we are on the dream cycle of life, the ultimate purpose is for God to save the world. He wants to use us to see others saved and forgiven and restored. All the miracles and revelations, all the sorrow and heartache we face in this life are all part of this plan. God sent Joseph to Egypt, not his brothers. God reveals Himself to Joseph, to his brothers, to Pharaoh, to all Egypt. Life is really all about God’s plan of salvation, about God revealing this plan through Jesus and using us, His people, to proclaim this message.