Joseph learned years before that God had a plan for his life. But back in Canaan, Jacob and the rest of the group had no idea. They lived day to day struggling with the guilt and the loss of Joseph. Now, two years into the famine, the brothers became hopelessly entwined with the guilt of disposing with Joseph and now how to survive.
On this day, their lives were about to change forever. Joseph had been testing the brothers to see if they were as hateful and self-absorbed as they had been 22 years before. He found that they had grown more selfless and were willing to sacrifice themselves for their father and his brother Benjamin. At that point, Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and God’s plan that led them to sell him into Egypt.
They were of course shocked and terrified by the news. Joseph and Pharaoh quickly alleviated the fear and dread. Joseph was the Lord of Egypt. He was mentor and friend to Pharaoh and now Pharaoh was setting the family up for a great life in Egypt. When Jacob would find out, it would restore his faith and commitment to God and the covenant made by his grand dad.
The revelation also completed the circle of restoration for Joseph. He was made rich and powerful by Pharaoh and God’s plan. Now he would receive back his Father and brother Benjamin after 22 years apart. It is important to trust God to complete his plan for our lives. It is also important to remember that God does nothing halfway. God’s plan and restoration is always complete and more wonderful than anything we could hope or imagine.
It is for that reason that we must never give up hope or lose our faith in God or His plan. We need to be patient, however, as that plan will always be completed in God’s way and in His time. That is the most difficult and the most wonderful part. His great reveals will always outshine anything we could create–Just ask Joseph.
God Bless You
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.[a]
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.’
Walking With God 