Disclaimer: Everything presented here is in Bible Study format. Please understand that I do not have any formal theology instruction. I ask that you pray first, and read the verses for yourself. Should God ever convict me of errors in my understanding, I will add a note.
Verses: Genesis 45 (NIV), and the events leading up to it
Passages: “Joseph Makes Himself Known”
Recap:
Joseph, son of Jacob and Rachel, now rules over Egypt; second only to Pharaoh. He’d risen to this position after experiencing an extreme amount of turmoil in his life.
Here’s a summation of the Biblical account of his life: Of his 12 brothers, Jacob loved his son Joseph the most. In his early years, Joseph received two dreams which showed his brothers bowing down to him. Shortly after sharing these dreams, (most of) his brothers plotted to kill him. Because his brother Reuben intervened, Joseph’s life was spared; yet he was ultimately sold into slavery.
Upon being brought to Egypt – God was with him. Joseph found favor in the eyes of one of the Pharaoh’s officials, Potiphar. Potiphar placed Joseph in charge of his affairs, and his house prospered because of it. However, when Joseph refused the advances of Potiphar’s wife, she falsely accused him of trying to sleep with her. This led to Potiphar throwing Joseph in prison.
While in prison, God was still with Joseph. Eventually, he had the opportunity to interpret two of his fellow prisoner’s dreams. He did so, accurately; with one interpretation showing the release and restoration of the Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer. Upon the cupbearer’s release, he was supposed to tell Pharaoh about Joseph; putting in a good word and, hopefully, securing Joseph’s release from prison. However, the cupbearer forgot to do so. So, Joseph remained imprisoned.
Two years later – once Pharaoh had some concerning dreams of his own – he sought help in interpreting. After searching for help across Egypt, the cupbearer finally remembered Joseph. Joseph successfully explained Pharaoh’s dreams, letting him know that: There would be seven years of abundance, followed by seven years of famine. Joseph instructed Pharaoh in how he should prepare in advance of the famine. (Also: Joseph always attributed his gift to God.)
Noting Joseph’s discernment and wisdom, Pharaoh placed Joseph in the highest rank; second only to Pharaoh. From that point forward, Joseph was in charge of Egypt.
The Bible says, “The famine was severe throughout Egypt. And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.”
Learning about the reserve of food in Egypt, Jacob instructed his sons (minus Benjamin) to travel from Canaan to Egypt to purchase grain. Upon reaching Egypt, the brothers did not recognize Joseph; though he recognized them. They bowed down to him. (Genesis 42) And so we witness the fulfillment of Joseph’s original dream.
A lot happens over the next three chapters. Finally, in Genesis 45, Joseph makes his identity known to his brothers.
Personal Note + Gospel Rendering
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PERSONAL NOTE
Personal Note:
In 2023, we read the passage about Potiphar’s wife in (my former) church. It led me to want to read the whole account of Joseph’s life. At the time, I was more so reading it as I would a story or a novel. And, I found Genesis 42 – 50 to be extremely emotional.
This year (2024), I’ve started reading the Bible from the very beginning, with my newfound understanding of the need to apply the Gospel. It has been an incredible read.
Disclaimer: I feel like there will always be personal applications that you glean from these Biblical accounts; especially if you pray beforehand and allow the Holy Spirit to move in you.
But when you keep the life, purpose, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus in your mind as you read, so many gems and parallels show themselves.
For this Bible Study, I will post Genesis 45. This is the passage where Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers. It is a beautiful speech, which is made even more rich when we think about who Jesus is to us. In bold, I will highlight all the ways in which this passage has moved me.
GOSPEL RENDERING
Gospel Rendering:
Genesis 45
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. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
3 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.
4 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! 5 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. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 “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. 9 Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. 10 You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. 11 I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’
12 “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. 13 Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”
14 Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.
16 When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, 18 and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’
19 “You are also directed to tell them, ‘Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. 20 Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.’”
21 So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. 22 To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels[b] of silver and five sets of clothes. 23 And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey. 24 Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!”
25 So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. 26 They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. 27 But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. 28 And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
Bible Study Questions:
How is the enemy present in the account of Joseph’s life? I think that the enemy is present in the preceding passages in the form of sin, deception and betrayal. Joseph was betrayed on so many occasions by his own family and by those who he served once being brought to Egypt (Potiphar’s wife, Potiphar, the cupbearer, etc.)
How did God respond? God showed favor to Joseph. He was with him in Potiphar’s house and in prison. He allowed him to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. And, he showed him favor as he prepared for – and navigated through – the famine.
How is Jesus foreshadowed? God used Joseph to save and preserve Jacob and his descendants. He had His hand on His chosen people. It’s worth reiterating, however, that “the whole world came to Joseph for grain.” So – in a specific way – Joseph was positioned to have the power and authority to “save” all who came to him. Likewise, Jesus offers eternal salvation to all who believe and come to Him.
Another foreshadowing deals with Joseph’s treatment. Joseph landed in his position only after experiencing immense betrayal. Likewise, betrayal was the catalyst for Jesus being led to the cross.
The account of Joseph points to the Gospel in so many ways. Most stunning is verse 7, where Joseph says: “But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”
How are Believers foreshadowed? Ultimately, around 70 members of Jacob’s family came to reside in Egypt, in a land set aside for them by Pharaoh. They weren’t intended to stay there forever. (We even see strict instructions from Jacob, that he was to be buried in Canaan.) However, they were saved, protected, and preserved during a time of intense scarcity.
Similarly, this earth is not our final destination. As believers, we will one day reside in the Kingdom of Heaven. God’s plan for our salvation is in Christ. Yet, while here on earth, God will show us provision; giving us all that we need. He intends to preserve His children!
Other Parallels or Gems:
1. Genesis 45:1 “So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.”
Parallel: An encounter with Jesus is a personal one.
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2. Genesis 45:3 “I am Joseph!” Genesis 45:9 “Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt…” Genesis 45:12 “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you.”
Parallel: The brothers had to believe that it was really Joseph speaking. They were given his name and his title; and they were told what was in store for them if they were to come to him. As Christians, we are blessed to know the same of Jesus. But we have to first believe.
Something I learned in church – and which is further explained in this quote from ChristianWebsite.com, is that: “Things are often repeated three times in the Bible to emphasize their importance, show completeness, and signify God’s divine nature.” It was pretty cool to notice that Joseph states his identity three times!
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3. Genesis 45:9 “Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘…Come down to me; don’t delay.” Genesis 45:13 “…bring my father down here quickly.”
Parallel: The instruction given to the brothers was to spread the wonderful news to Jacob; and therefore, the rest of their family. There was a sense of urgency. Likewise, we are charged with spreading the “good news” Gospel of Jesus, and we should also have a sense of urgency.
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4. Genesis 45:24 “Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!”
Parallel: My immediate thought was that if they were to start quarreling, they’d become distracted or even disheartened. I feel as though this happens a lot amongst Believers. Issues come between members of the body of Christ all the time which stalls, stagnates or completely halts the work that we could be doing. The brothers had a purpose, but they needed to remain focused!
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5. Genesis 45:26 – 28 “They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. 27 But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. 28 And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
Parallel: Jacob knew God, and God had a plan for Jacob. But, before Jacob could have a personal encounter with Joseph, he had to first hear the news being brought to him. Once he heard it and saw the fruits, his spirit revived and he believed.
When it comes to salvation, we have to first hear, know and understand who Jesus is. We have to understand the Gospel. Then, the Holy Spirit is the one who convicts us of its truth. Only then will we truly be moved to come to Jesus. And, once we do, He is ready to receive us, preserve us and save us.
When it comes to sharing the Gospel, we have to share what Jesus says. In Genesis 45:27, the brothers didn’t simply speak from their heart. They shared the exact message that Joseph had given them to share. In the same verse, it says that Jacob saw the carts that “Joseph had sent.” As Believers, we need to remember that our peace, comfort and help come from Christ; and to attribute it to Him. When we’re able to share what Jesus says and when we show what He has done for – and in – us, then we are truly living in our purpose.
Lexzie in Christ 
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