GENESIS 45
Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. 3 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.4 So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.
– Genesis 45:1-5
GENESIS 45 JOSEPH REVEALS HIMSELF TO HIS BROTHERS
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When Judah that if Benjamin was captured, their father would die from grief
Joseph could no longer control himself, so he asked all the Egyptians to leave
Then he wept and wailed that even those outside the room could hear him
Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers and appeased them.
He asked them to come near him and not feel bad for selling him to slavery
Joseph explained how God used it to preserve their lives from scarcity
Then he wanted to know more about their father and he asked them
But they were all unable to answer him as they were all still in shock.
This is the ultimate drama in the life of Joseph where he finally revealed himself to his brothers who had no idea who he truly was. It was a shock for the brothers to hear his revelation as they couldn’t wrap their minds around the events that just happened. They thought they were going to be captives and slaves of the Egyptians and cause their father’s death from losing Benjamin. Suddenly, the tide changes and now, their sins were finally exposed by Joseph’s disclosure. They must have felt so much shame from what they have done to plot to kill him first and then sell him to slavery. They must have feared what revenge Joseph might do to them, but Joseph was quick to appease them that God showed him from the start why he was sold into slavery. It was to save them from death.
REFLECTION
- What must have gone through the brothers’ minds during Joseph’s revelation?
