So the kingdom has gone through 7 years of abundance and is now in the 7 years of famine (just as Joseph interpreted). Everyone is coming to Egypt for food because Egypt had stored-up things so effectively and efficiently under Joseph’s command. In Genesis 42:1-4, it’s written- “When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.” Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him.”
Had you forgotten about Joseph’s father and brothers? A lot that has happened in Joseph’s life since they were in the picture. Joseph’s father and brothers are feeling the effects of the famine and decide to go to Egypt (like everyone else was doing) to get food for their family. Jacob, Joseph’s father, sends all of his sons except the youngest one, Benjamin, to go get the food. When they arrived to Egypt and were before Joseph, we’re told in Genesis 42:6-8, “Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.” Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.”
Remember Joseph’s dreams about how his brothers would bow down before him? It’s happening, but Joseph doesn’t intend to use this as an opportunity to lift Himself up. He wants this to be an opportunity for restoration. He tells his brothers to go back and bring their younger brother with them. He will keep one of the brothers locked-up until they return with their youngest brother.
Well his brothers eventually come back with the youngest brother, and Joseph finally reveals to them who he is. In Genesis 45:1-8, “Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, 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. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.”
God’s favor was with him, and he reassured his brothers that God was in control of his life. It’s a good reminder for us that we don’t need to pray that we don’t have hardships or that our kids don’t go through hardships. Our prayer should be that when we, or our children, go through hardships, that we/they would make sure that we draw near to God and that His will and purpose be accomplished through it. Truth is, many times, it’s only through the hardships that we can truly know the feeling of being fully blessed by God.
We’re in Your Corner-
The Student Ministry Staff Team
