griffin comments gen 45

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 45

(Gen 45:1) Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.

Joseph had done enough testing to find the true spirit of his brothers and it was time now to reveal himself to them, so he had everybody else leave for he did not want any outsiders to view this treasured moment.

HOMECOMING SERMON(Gen_45:1-15)

1. HOMECOMING IS A TOKEN OF HONOR (Backward aspect)

A. Honor to the people who contributed to our lives in the past.

(Act_20:17-38). As seen in the elders of Ephesus gathering with Paul at Miletus.

B. Honor to the places which centralized our lives in the past.

(Psa_43:1-3) As seen in David longing to get back to Jerusalem, his home.

C. Honor to the privileges which characterized our lives in the past.

(Psa_43:4-5) As seen in David longing to worship again at Jerusalem.

2. HOMECOMING IS A TIME OF HAPPINESS (Inward aspect)

A. Happiness because of the friends we enjoy

GRIFFIN COMMENTS GEN 45—PAGE 1

(Gen_45:15) As seen in the meeting of Joseph with his brethren.

B. Happiness because of the faith we encounter

(Rom_1:11-12) As seen in the anticipation of Paul in going to Rome.

C. Happiness because of the food we eat.

(1Co_11:33-34) As seen in the early love feasts of the church.

3. HOMECOMING IS A TESTIMONY OF HOPE (Outward aspect)

A. Hope because of the number who gather.

(Act_4:32) As seen in the power of testimony by the multitude of believers in the first century.

B. Hope because of the nature of the gathering.

(Heb_10:25) As seen in the command of Scripture to gather for mutual benefit.

C. Hope because of the name through which they gather.

(Col_3:1) All Christian activity is done for the glory of Christ.

4. HOMECOMING IS A TASTE OF HEAVEN (Forward aspect)

A. Because it releases from the burden of life.

(Rev_21:4) Temporarily now; permanently then.


B. Because it reunites believers who formerly knew one another.

(1Th_4:13-18) In Heaven we will be reunited with all former loved ones, etc.

C. Because it refreshed in befriending new believers

(Rom_15:30-33) As seen in Paul's hope in meeting new believers in Rome.

(Gen 45:2) And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

The Egyptians had left the room but remained close enough that they could eavesdrop. They, in turn told other members of Pharaoh's household. Joseph held nothing back now and allowed his emotions to be vented.

A very touching lesson is here taught the sons and daughters of aged parents concerning their greatest need in their declining years -- not expensive clothing or luxurious living, but the manifestation of real, tender, loving sympathy. (D. C. Hughes, M. A.)

(Gen 45:3) And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.

This would be a tremendous shock to find out that this harsh Egyptian was Joseph all along. Then to think he had saved their lives when he could have killed them. They were terrified and mystified at the whole event.

The dealings of Joseph with his brethren are, to a great extent, the very pattern of God's dealings with men. God sees us careless, in easily forgiving ourselves our old sins; and then, by trial and adversity and pain, He brings these


sins to our remembrance, causes them to find us out, and at length extracts from us a confession, "we are verily guilty." And then, when tribulation has done its work, He is as ready to confirm His love to us as ever was Joseph to confirm his love to his brethren. (Archbishop Trench.)

(Gen 45:4) And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.It would take a long time to get over the shock of this moment, and it now brought up a host of other things that would have to be done. If they had never told their father what really happened to Joseph, it would now have to be made known. Then what would Jacob do? What would be their fate? What would happen from this point on?

"I am Joseph" (Gen_45:4) HE REVEALED HIMSELF!

"look at me, and hear me, know it is I" (Gen_45:12)Even as Jesus has revealed Himself to usPaul "Who are you?" "I am Jesus" (Act_9:5)"Behold my hands...it is I, Myself" (Luk_24:39)

Stephen told us this revelation ("made himself known" Gen_45:1) was the second time the brethren were in Egypt (Act_7:13) and it will be at the second time that Jesus is revealed to His own (Zec_12:10).

Suffering time is over. It is time for Manasseh: "forgetting" the past. The Lord has seen the travail of his soul and is "satisfied." (Isa_53:11).

He can tell of His suffering and of the glory (Gen_45:9) that follows as Jesus reveals to us (1Pe_1:11)

He is reconciled to his brethren. (Gen_45:1-15). The Lord will bring back His people (Deu_30:1-10; Hos_2:14-18;


Rom_11:1, Rom_11:15, Rom_11:25-26) and be reconciled to them.

1. He will not be ashamed to call them brethren (Gen_46:31; Gen_47:1) as the Lord promised of us (Heb_2:11).

2. He bids them come near (Gen_45:4, Gen_45:18-19)Eph_2:13 "We who were afar off are made nigh"Mat_11:28 "Come unto me"

3. He desires to comfort them (Gen_50:21)Joh_14:1 "Let not your heart be troubled"Joh_14:18 "I will not leave you comfortless (orphans)...'

4. He was sent of God (Gen_45:5-7)1Jo_4:9 "God sent the Son" (He was sent to give life)Gen_45:8 "Not you but God"Act_2:23 "delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God."

5. He came as a Savior (Gen_45:5) 1Jo_4:14 "Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world"

6. He came to prepare a place (Gen_45:5-7)Joh_14:1-3 "I go to prepare a place for you"

7. He came to take a people out (Gen_45:7)Act_15:14 "Visit the Gentiles to take out a people for His name."Gen_50:20 "to save much people alive"Heb_2:10 "in bringing many sons to glory."

8. He wanted to rejoice with them (Gen_43:34)Luk_15:24 Prodigal rejoiced with his father in the return feast.


9. Joseph forgave them (Gen_43:34) as we are commanded to do (Mat_6:14-15) yet they could not believe him. After all this time they still misunderstood his purposes and intentions as Philip could not grasp the revealing of Jesus (Joh_14:9)."Fear not, am I in the place of God?" (Gen_50:19) shows he had freely and truly forgiven them. We almost hear the same ring in Jesus cry from the cross (Luk_23:34) "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do (misunderstand)."

10. He convicted them (Gen_44:16) And the Spirit of Christ is presently in this world convicting men of sin (Joh_16:8-9).

11. They were troubled (Gen_45:3) as the Jews will be when they realize that it was their Messiah (brother) they slew (Zec_12:10; Rev_1:7).

12. They were left speechless (Gen_44:16) as the men at the wedding feast was when he was pointed out for not having on a wedding garment (Mat_22:12).

13. He brought a great deliverance (Gen_45:7) as our Joseph came to "deliver us form so great a death" (2Co_1:10).

14. They were to tarry not (Gen_45:9) in carrying salvation to Jacob for he was ready and anxious to comfort them. As the Lord desires to "succor us in the day of our salvation" (2Co_6:2).

15. They were to tell it (Gen_45:13) as we are to tell of the "glorious Gospel of Christ"

(2Co_4:4).

16. He talked with them (Gen_45:15) even when they did not know who it was. He knew them and prepared the


way to reveal himself to them, as Jesus did to His disciples (Luk_24:15).

17. But they believed not (Gen_45:26) as they would not believe Jesus (Luk_24:11, Luk_24:41).

(Gen 45:5) Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

What a wonderful way to look at the circumstances of life. God was in control. A man may devise his way but God directs his steps (Pro_16:9). God is still the one who takes all things and makes them work for good.

If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire may rise without His aid? (Franklin)

(Gen 45:6) For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.

Joseph knew that there were still five more years left to this famine, and if they had already come once a year, then they would have to return five more times before it was over. Something had to be done to permanently solve their famine problems and Joseph wanted to work out a plan. He did not know that the plan he was working out was actually God's redemption plan whereby He would make Israel become a great nation.

(Gen 45:7) And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

God had sent Joseph to make Israel into a nation (Psa_105:16-23). Otherwise they would have always remained tribesmen and Bedouins in the desert. There would be an even greater deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt, which could not take place without God first sending Joseph to the land of the Pharaohs.


The narrow circle of a family history was taken up into the higher sphere of Divine purposes concerning nations and humanity itself. The plans and purposes of God were in it all (Gen_45:7-8). Nothing can happen to God's child that is contrary to His will.Although Joseph's brothers had wanted to get rid of him, God used even their evil actions to fulfill his ultimate plan. He sent Joseph ahead to preserve their lives, save Egypt, and prepare the way for the beginning of the nation of Israel. God is sovereign. His plans are not dictated by human actions. When others intend evil toward you, remember that they are only God's tools. As Joseph said to his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Gen_50:20).

WHEN ALL IS CHOCOLATE CAKE(Gen_45:7-8; Rom_8:28-29) Wendell P. Loveless Gen_1:3 Background of a day or many daysEze_46:9 Come in another wayWhere two odors meet"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God."

The believer in Christ is faced with many situations in life that are not actually good in themselves. Yet the Lord promises to transform these trying circumstances into eventual blessings.

My wife can make better chocolate cake than anyone.

She sifted some flourDry and unappetizing

She added a cup of sour milkNow distasteful

She put in a raw egg

Sugar


LardBaking powder

She beat it all upShe baked it in a hot oven

In life we encounterDry stretches; tasteless and uninvitingSour experiences; dream distastefulRaw deals; sold into EgyptSugar makes it fall; stumbling timesBaking powder makes it rise; too high for our own

goodBitter times; Potiphar's wife

Then we go through the oven of affliction; prison

So if you are taking a beating, God is mixing the batter of your lives so as to make you a blessing. The world wants to taste of your cake.

Teach me and I forgetShow me and I rememberInvolve me and I understandMark Twain

(Gen 45:8) So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

Joseph recognized that every step he had taken was under God’s direction; from the pit to the prison the hand of God was preparing him for this day when his brothers would come and bow before him. Each step he took appeared to be taking him further from his dreams, yet God was orchestrating behind the scenes, putting it all together to bring him to this place of fulfillment.


(Gen 45:9) Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:

Joseph could not know what all this could entail for he did not know how much his father knew about the sale, but he knew that he must have his father here so he could take care of him during his last days. They were to go and declare that Joseph was alive, not Prime Minister Joseph, or some great title, but your son, Joseph.

(Gen 45:10) And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:

Joseph knew that he had been given free reign and could dictate what to do for his family. He wore the king’s ring and could sign any document or make any decree he liked. Thus he offered the best of the land to his family without having to consult with Pharaoh. He did not abuse that privilege, but used it for the benefit of his people.

(Gen 45:11) And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.

The one they had despised was now to take care of them. What finer spirit could we find than that, to turn good for evil, to refuse to take vengeance, and love those who despitefully use you.

Duties are ours; events are God's. This removes an infinite burden from the shoulders of a miserable, tempted, dying creature. On this consideration only can he securely lay down his head and close his eyes (Cecil)

(Gen 45:12) And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.


Joseph knew it would be difficult to believe that it really was him, that they were not having a dream, or nightmare, but that the Joseph they sold was now their master and yet was showing concern for them, after they had so shamefully treated him. They were seeing the true Christian spirit, a long time before there were Christians in the world.

(Gen 45:13) And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.

Now that the crisis of testing was over, this was the uppermost thing in Joseph’s mind. He wanted to see his aged father and once again have fellowship together. It had been many years, and they had a lot to talk over. He would be privileged to take care of him until the time of his death. Ordinarily the older brothers, either Reuben or Judah, would have done it but now it was out of their hands and Jacob and Joseph would both see a happy ending to a long troubled story.

(Gen 45:14) And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.

Before they left Joseph wanted to have a little more fellowship with Benjamin, and he knew that there would be no animosity about his concern for his brother. What a peaceful atmosphere when brethren get along with one another.

This incident is the most unquestionable instance in the Bible of tears of love. No other feeling but love made Joseph weep. (J. Vaughan, M. A.)

(Gen 45:15) Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

It no doubt took some time for Joseph's brothers to get over the shock of this man they had dealt with all this time being Joseph. They would have to try to put these pieces together


from the last couple of years while they were going through the testing time, and then the memories of all that had transpired in the last few years.

(Gen 45:16) And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.

God had given favor to Joseph so that when the Pharaoh heard that Joseph's family was coming he was glad. There was no offense to him at all. In fact because of the respect and appreciation he had for Joseph, this Pharaoh opened his arms wide and promised the very best for the family of Jacob. He put them in the best part of the land of Egypt.

(Gen 45:17) And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;

Joseph did not even have to worry about whether or not the Egyptians would accept his family. They were welcomed with open arms. All they had to do now was go to Canaan and bring their father, their families, and all their possessions down to Egypt.

We are now dealing no longer with Joseph's personal history, but brought out into the larger sphere of "the children of Israel" (ver. 21). Already it may be said the Egyptian period in the history of the children of Israel has commenced. Pharaoh comes upon the scene and his servants. All the wealth of Egypt is placed at the command of Israel. The men who had been the transgressors against Joseph are now the mediators of the great change in the condition and prospects of the Israelitish race. The effect upon the old man's heart. (R. A. Redford)

(Gen 45:18) And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.


This was the happy ending of a tragic story. God had orchestrated the whole affair and now it would be well for everyone.

Bring your father; the time comes when the father visits the son.This is beautiful. And it is a parable of that which occurs sometimes now. The old home circle visits the successful son, and he heads the table, and feels not that he does his father honor, but that the father honors him by his presence; this is all-glorious. I am not sure that the old world, of which China is one of the permanent shoots, does not set us an illustrious example in this respect, viz., the honor due to age and parentage; but I am sure that ancient Greece might teach us reverence, for a young man would rise in an assembly there and give his place to an aged man at once. Flippant familiarity in speech is unseemly in relations between the young and the old, for speech is an index of character. Joseph's speech is touched with reverence, and he seems to feel a culmination of kindly providence in the fact that his father should know of his glory in Egypt. I trust that many a son's heart will leap in future days when he sees, amid the faces looking on with rapt interest in a season of honor and reward, the features of his father. (W. M. Statham, M. A.)

(Gen 45:19) Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.

They would not even have to be concerned about transportation. Pharaoh would supply anything that was required to get them here. Things can really turn around and it can happen so quickly. It seems that when we are in straits and are caught in circumstances beyond our control, the Lord always has someone there who has wagons ready for our use.


(Gen 45:20) Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.

Should they desire to do so, they could simply leave anything they did not want to bring and Pharaoh would make sure they did not go without. Such was the regard God had placed in his heart for Joseph. Favor with God is an awesome thing.

Let us apply this to our Lord and to ourselves. Jesus Christ, the true Joseph, remembers us in His prosperity, and He sends an invitation to us by the desire of God the Father, who loveth us. He does not bid us come to Him in our own strength, relying only on the poor food which a famine-struck land yields; does not bid us toil across a burning desert, prowled over by the lion, without provision and protection. There are sacraments and helps and means of grace, which He has sent to relieve the weariness of the way, to carry us on, to support us when we faint, to encourage us lest we should despair. (S. Baring-Gould, M. A.)

(Gen 45:21) And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.They did not go home empty handed. Though they would have to load these same wagons and others to bring back, they had plenty sent on the way there so that there would be no possibility of going in need.

But for the provision Joseph sent them for the way, Jacob and his sons' sons and daughters could never have crossed the hot desert. But the impossible had been made possible by the command of Pharaoh and the love of Joseph. The journey was accomplished successfully, the desert was traversed without peril, without excessive fatigue, by means of the waggons sent out of the land of Egypt. When Jacob saw the waggons his heart revived. (S. Baring-Gould, M. A.)


(Gen 45:22) To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.

This was no part of a test now. They recognized that Joseph and Benjamin were brothers and there would now be no fear of wrong attitude.

It is a common custom with all the Asiatic sovereigns to give both garments and money to ambassadors and persons of distinction, whom they particularly wish to honour. De la Motraye says, “that they then clothed them (the ambassadors) with caffetans (long vests of gold or silver brocade) with large silk flowers.” (Jdg_14:12, Jdg_14:19; 2Ki_5:5, 2Ki_5:22-23; Rev_6:11) (TSK)

(Gen 45:23) And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.

Beyond doubt they would have to bring most of this stuff back, as the sons were going back home to stay, but simply to get Jacob and bring him to Egypt. But they took enough to last far beyond the journey.

WAGONERS OF HOPE (Gen_45:23)They had to watch for1. Thieves2. Enemies3. Attitude toward one another4. Attitude toward their possessions5. Race against timeBro. Hardin's chickens escaped wreck, fire, traffic—then fought each other.

(Gen 45:24) So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.


Though they had passed the many tests, Joseph had put them through, he wanted to make sure that they did not revert to the old patterns of life again, so once more he admonished them not to have any fights along the way. He knew how they could be if things did not suit them and he wanted to make sure.

(Gen 45:25) And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,

They very likely made record time getting back to give this report to Jacob and make preparations for leaving Canaan and coming to Egypt.

Our enjoyment of what God has prepared for us is dependent upon our confident belief and expectation.

1. Separation from the old for the new life involves a struggle with self, with circumstances, with fellow-men.

2. The future must be laid hold of. We must believe that the better place is prepared for us, that the will of God is good.

(R. A. Redford)

(Gen 45:26) And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.

Jacob could not believe but Israel said “my son is yet alive” (Gen_45:28). The old man has trouble accepting the working of God, but the new man has faith and is revived.

The revelation of the ages is "Joseph is yet alive," (Gen_45:26-28). For us it is the "Jesus Paul affirms to be alive," (Act_25:19).

Jacob could not believe this great truth. But a day will come when Jacob will again embrace Joseph, for God is able to


put the olive branch which is the right nature back where it was (Rom_11:24), and their eyes which were blinded (Rom_11:25) will be opened to recognize Him even as the disciples suddenly recognized Jesus (Luk_24:31). (Compare Zec_12:10; Rev_1:7).

(Gen 45:27) And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:

We walk by faith and not by sight, but sometimes what we see can confirm and strengthen our faith. Once Jacob saw all this evidence, he was persuaded that they were right.

The lesson of the patriarch's history is that faith may not realize all it desires, but it may realize what confirms, revives, assures. "He saw the waggons": "Faith cometh by hearing"; it is a moral principle created in the mind, not so much by facts as probabilities. Faith is moved and swayed by antecedental considerations. So these waggons were, in all probability, an aid to faith, and his heart revived. Treasure up marks and tokens of another country; you will find they will not be wanting. (E. Paxton Hood)

(Gen 45:28) And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.

It was no longer Jacob, but Israel who was walking by faith and ready to go into the land of Egypt and be reunited to his beloved son. He found out that what he had grieved over all this time was a short distance away and was not only doing well, but was preparing a place for them.

It is as a liberated man that Joseph is most signally the type of our Redeemer. Set free from prison, Joseph became the second in the kingdom, even as the Redeemer, rising from the prison of the grave, became possessed in His mediatorial capacity of all power in heaven and earth, and yet so possessed as to be subordinate to the Father. Joseph


was raised up of God to be a preserver of life during years of famine. Christ, in His office of Mediator, distributes bread to the hungry. All men shall flock to Jesus, eager for the bread that came down from heaven. (H. Melvill, B. D.)


griffin comments gen 45

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