When I was a child, children’s church teachers would sometimes read continuing stories to us. Each week the story would end at a very exciting point and the teacher would say, “Come back next week to find out what happens next.” That is the way Joseph’s story has been for several weeks now. Each week adds to the excitement. Well, today we finally reach the exciting episode when Joseph identifies himself to his brothers.

Transition

This morning we are going to look at four events around the revealing of Joseph’s identity.

Joseph’s Final Test (Ge 44:1-15)

1. The test prepared (44:1-5)
   1. Joseph had his cup put in Benjamin’s sack of grain (44:1-2)
   2. The brothers left for home at sunrise (44:3)
   3. Joseph told his servant accuse the brothers of stealing (44:4-5).
      ² There is no reason we should think that Joseph used his cup to divine (get future information from the devil). Though very common in Egypt, it is totally contrary to his godly character. Perhaps Egyptians thought this to be true of Joseph or Joseph was using it to test his brothers.
      ² The Bible strongly forbids seeking the future through demonic sources like witchcraft, crystal balls, tarot cards, or Ouija boards. Even books and videos like Harry Potter are evil and of the devil.
      ☆ (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.”
2. The test performed (44:6-15)
   1. Again the brothers are shocked (and troubled) by the accusation (44:6-9).
   2. The servant found the silver cup in Benjamin’s bag (44:10-13).
   3. Judah takes the leadership and leads the brothers back to Joseph’s house (44:14).
   4. Joseph rebukes the brothers (44:15).
      ☆ Joseph had tested his brother’s honesty, but now he is testing their attitude toward Benjamin who is now the pampered one in the family. Would they betray him as they had Joseph years earlier?

Judah’s Desperate Plea (Ge 44:16-34)

1. Judah speaks for his brothers (44:16-17)
   1. Judah confesses the sins of the brothers.
   2. He submits himself and all of the brothers to slavery.
   3. Joseph insists on taking only Benjamin as his slave (44:17).
2. Judah begs Joseph for mercy (44:18-34)
   1. He told of Jacob’s love for Benjamin.
   2. Judah begged to take Benjamin’s place as a slave (44:33-34).
      ☆ Judah’s willingness to spend the rest of his life as Joseph’s slave to protect the freedom of Benjamin showed Joseph that his brothers had truly changed. They finally had humble attitudes. This ought to remind us of the words in . . .
      ☆ (Philippians 2:3) “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
      ☆ If we had more of that others first attitude in our homes, we would have much more harmony. We must die to self.

Brother’s Mystery Solved (Ge 45:1-15)

1. Joseph revealed his identity (45:1-8)
   1. He told his brothers who he was (45:1-4).
   2. He forgave and comforted them (45:5-8).
      1. Hearing Joseph’s forgiveness must have been a wonderful moment for the brothers. Finally, after 22 years of guilt, they are forgiven.
      2. They still must confess their sin to their Dad, but forgiveness and cleansing was well on the way.
2. Joseph’s interaction with his brothers (45:9-15)
   1. He commanded his brothers to go home and bring his father down to Egypt (45:9-13)
   2. He hugged and cried with each of his brother and then had a good long talk (45:14-15).
      If anyone had a genuine reason for bitterness and hate, it was Joseph. His brothers had sold him. He worked as a slave for years. He spent several years in prison for a crime he did not do. He had not seen his homeland or family for 22 years. Yet in all of this, Joseph saw the hand of God. He forgave his brothers.
      In Matthew 18, Jesus told a story of a man who had a huge debt. Because he asked for mercy, his lord forgave the whole debt. Then that man found a friend who owed him a tiny debt and he had no mercy on him.
      ☆ (Matthew 18:32-35) “Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”
      ☆ Perhaps there is someone whom you need to forgive. Has someone in your past hurt you and you have refused to forgive him or her. If so, you are hurting yourself. You are not right with God. You cannot enjoy peace with God. No matter what the hurt was, you need to forgive.

Pharaoh’s Kind Invitation (Ge 45:16-28)

1. News of Joseph’s brothers travelled quickly (45:16-24)
   1. Pharaoh was pleased (45:16).
   2. Pharaoh told Joseph to invite his family to move to Egypt (45:17-20).
   3. Joseph prepared his brothers for their trip (45:21-23).
   4. Joseph gave his brothers one final word of comfort (45:24). The word translated “fall not out” literally means to tremble, be agitated, be perturbed, be excited. Joseph was saying, “Do not be worried!” Joseph did not want his brothers to worry any more about what had taken place nor about the fact that Joseph was now the Prime Minister of Egypt. Joseph knew that they might think he would seek revenge.
2. Jacob hears the good news (45:25-28)
   1. Jacob did not believe the news at first (45:25-26).
   2. Jacob was thrilled (45:27-28)
   3. Though the Bible does not mention it, the brothers had to confess their evil deeds to their father. This was a blessing for them. Finally, they could be freed from the guilt of selling Joseph and lying to their father.
      ☆ Joseph has a great attitude about his trials. He did not blame God or his brothers. Instead of blaming, he could see that God worked all things out for his good and God’s glory. Romans 8:28 can be true in your life if you will stay close to the Lord.
      ☆ (Romans 8:28) “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Conclusion

This morning we have noted several principles that can help us in our daily lives. We must remember never to have anything to do with any sort of future-telling. Their source is of the devil and God hates that. We need to develop selfless attitudes that put others ahead of ourselves. If there is someone you need to forgive, stop hurting your relationship with God, forgive that person, and make peace with the Lord. Joseph saw God’s good hand in his trials. Perhaps you need to ask God to help you see that your trials are for your good and His glory.

Song: Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – 337
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Joseph’s Identity Revealed
22 February 2015 am – Genesis 44:1-45:28 – Gen 14 – Scott Childs