Joseph sent a messenger after his brothers, and he overtook them on the way. The good things he had given them were in their sacks, but they had not found them: nor could they, until there was a full confession of their guilt and sin, but Joseph’s goodness was gradually leading them to repentance. When they came into Joseph’s presence, they said, “What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants.” Then they went over the whole story from start to finish, telling all that had happened, though omitting their own sin in selling Joseph. However, this was going to come out too. Joseph could not refrain himself any longer and told everyone to go out of the room except his brothers.
Joseph Revealed
What a wonderful scene followed. Joseph wept and said, “I am Joseph.” His brothers were troubled at his presence and could not answer. They stood at a distance from him, and so he said, “Come near to me, I pray you” — and they came near. It reminds us of Peter, who, feeling his guilt, was afraid of the Lord’s presence, but the Lord said, “Fear not” (Luke 5:1010And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. (Luke 5:10)). How good to hear the Lord saying to sinners even today, “Come unto Me” and also calling His own around Himself to remember Him in His death.
Joseph then went on to tell how God had been behind all that had happened and had sent him down into Egypt. He told them not to be grieved with themselves, but that God was going to preserve their lives by a great deliverance. He assured their hearts of this by saying, “It was not you that sent me hither, but God.” Many of the things they had not been able to understand in the past were made plain in a moment. How true this will be when we see our blessed Saviour. How true it will also be when the Lord makes Himself known to Israel in a coming day. All the hard questions and problems will be explained as when Solomon answered the Queen of Sheba all her questions. Joseph opened his heart telling his brothers about his plans to nourish and care for them in Egypt and then fell on their necks and kissed them. After this his brothers talked freely to him, and so it is with us. After we learn how much the Lord loves us, and all He has done for us, and of His plans for our blessing, then we can hold sweet communion with Him. We can talk with Him in prayer, and He delights to have our confidence.
Brought Into Blessing
When Pharaoh heard of all that had happened, he called Joseph, telling him to bring his brethren into Egypt where they could enjoy the best of the land. The whole incident is a type of the time when a remnant of Israel will admit their guilt in crucifying their Messiah, and be brought into blessing when Christ (of whom Joseph is a type) reigns in power over the earth. All the kings of the world will have to bring their glory and honor to Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:1616And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. (Zechariah 14:16)), and God will see that His people Israel are given the best things of the earth. So here, they were given wagons, raiment, and all the good things of Egypt, as well as the finest part of the land when they came there to live.
Further Meditation
1. How did Joseph’s brothers react when Joseph told them who he was?
2. Repentance and restoration are also major themes in Psalm 51. How did the Lord answer the cry of David’s heart when David realized that he had sinned?
3. Joseph Revealing Himself to His Brethren by A. M. Barry is a lovely, short booklet giving more on this beautiful theme of restoration.