Scripture Passage: Genesis 45:1-3
The Old Testament tells the tale of Joseph, a beloved son who was despised and rejected by his brothers. But because God was with Joseph, he was later exalted as the prime minister of Egypt and became the one his brothers needed in order to survive the famine.
In this story, Joseph is a picture of Jesus. Genesis 45 illustrates the Gospel, according to Joseph.
In this passage, Joseph illustrates our confrontation with Christ: “Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph; does my father still live?’ But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence.” (Genesis 45:3).
When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, they remembered what they had done to him. God, in love, confronts us and convicts our sin for our own sake, so He may reveal Himself to us. Our conviction is meant to lead to our conversion to Christ. In Genesis 45, Joseph offers love, as God has offered us grace.
Joseph also commissioned his brothers to go tell their father that he is alive. Likewise, we are commissioned to tell the world that Jesus Christ is alive.
In Genesis 45:14-15, Joseph restores the long-estranged fellowship with his brothers. The greatest privilege of being saved is having fellowship with the Lord Jesus. Communion with Him is the greatest gift of all.
Joseph provided his brothers with food and resources (see Genesis 45:20). In the same way, Jesus provides for our needs, and offers completion through Himself.
Genesis 45:27-28 says, “...and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob, their father, revived: And Israel said, ‘It is enough: Joseph my son is yet alive; and I will go and see him before I die.’”
Finally, Joseph’s brothers returned home with wagon loads of provisions, which testified to their father Jacob that Joseph was alive. We are to continue living for Jesus Christ, so that our lives may reflect Him.
Adrian Rogers said, “God has given us wagon loads of grace and is saying to us, ‘Don’t fall out by the way, don’t fall out of the race, and don’t fall out with one another. Just keep on going telling this world about Jesus.”
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