The time has come for Joseph to know if his brothers have changed from the time that they sold him into captivity. He had his steward load his brothers with the grain that they sought but had the money for the grain and the silver cup in the sack of the youngest, Benjamin. When the brothers left, he had his steward go after them, and accuse them of theft, indicating that the silver cup was used by Joseph for divination. This was to convince the brothers that he was able to supernaturally discern the theft.
The brothers proclaimed they were innocent, and that they would return as servants (slaves) if any were caught with anything stolen. The steward indicated only the one caught with the money and the cup would be made a slave. When he found the cup and money in Benjamin’s sack, this distressed them so much that the brothers tore their clothes and returned along with Benjamin.
They came in front of Joseph and dropped down before him. Joseph asks, what it is that they have done and again implies that he has the power of divination. Judah again pleas for Joseph to make them all servants rather just Benjamin for the offense, but Joseph refuses and says that only the one who stole from him would be a servant. The other brothers were free to go. Judah then pleas for Joseph to allow Bejamin to return to their father. He confesses that he told Israel that one son had been torn to pieces, and Benjamin is all that is left of his mother’s children. He had made a promise of safety for Benjamin, and he would rather be Joseph’s servant rather than see the distress of his father again that he had seen with the loss of the first son. This is a sharp contrast to what was seen in Genesis 37:26-27 when he argued for Joseph to be sold into slavery. Now Judah is selflessly offering himself for his brother (Genesis 44).
Joseph is struck by this where in his crying Egyptians and Pharoah heard it. He reveals himself to his brothers, but they are dismayed by this, possibly thinking that he was going to punish them all for what they had done in selling him into slavery. He does not blame his brothers though stating. “And now do not be dismayed or angry at yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5). Contrast that with Romans 5:8 which states “But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”. Joseph is stating that God is showing love for his brothers who in sin sold him into slavery, but through that God is offering them life. Just like through Christ’s death on the cross, while we were yet sinners. Christ is offering a way to eternal life. Pharoah gave all authority to Joseph to rule over Egypt. God has given Christ all authority over the entire Universe.
Joseph then urges the brothers to go to Israel and tell him of the honor that he has been given in Egypt. He further promises the land of Goshen for his family to shepherd in Egypt. Furthermore, when Pharoah learned of Joseph’s brothers he was pleased and offered wagons to bring their father and families to Egypt, and they would have the best of what Egypt had to offer. Israel does not believe the words of the brothers, telling him that not only is Joseph alive, but is a ruler over Egypt. But once he saw the goods that Pharoh and Joseph sent to the family, we did believe and scripture tells us that his spirit was revived (Genesis 45). This may be a minor foretaste of the resurrection. When Jesus died, the apostles were greatly distressed. They did not believe in the resurrection until they saw Christ in His glory – risen! Israel believed for years that Joseph was dead and was mourning this whole time. Now he hears that Joseph is alive and sees the glory bestowed upon Joseph. He must have been truly amazed and praising God!
Israel took all he had and set off on the journey to Egypt. At Beersheba and offered sacrifices to God. God spoke with Israel there and told him not to be afraid to go to Egypt saying “…for there I will make you a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will bring you up again…”(Genesis 45:3-4). God is reassuring Isreal that the promises that his descendants would inherit Canaan remained intact.
We then hear of all the numerous descendants that went down to Egypt with Israel. Scripture tells us that Israel had sixty-six family members with him travel with him to Egypt. And counting Joseph and his family that was seventy people in total (Genesis 45:26-27).
Israel sent Judah ahead to show the way to Goshen. Joseph took his chariot to Goshen and had an emotional reunion with his father. Then Joseph stated that he would go to Pharoah to report that they arrived in Goshen and have brought livestock as they are shepherds. That is what they are to tell Pharoah if he asks. Scripture then tells us that shepherds are an abomination to Egyptians. The reason for this is not clear. (Genesis 45)
My Bible Journey In A Year (Chronological) 