Genesis 45:5, 7, 8 — Elohim sent me. This illustrates the remarkable, persevering faith of Joseph who, by this time, had been in Egypt for 22 years.
Joseph was sold into slavery at age 17, was freed from prison and made ruler of Egypt at age 30, then seven years of plenty followed, and two years of famine had passed by the time he was reunited with is brothers.
Only after 22 years in Egypt did Joseph finally figure out Elohim’s grand and wonderful plan for his life, and how it involved the saving of his family.
Had Joseph lost faith along the way, become embittered over his misfortunes, and turned from Elohim, the nation of Israel may have never been preserved.
Keeping one’s eyes on Elohim, and refusing to lose faith during the dark times can yield some amazingly triumphant outcomes, as we learn from the life of Joseph.
What is an example from your life where only after years of endless struggle, while refusing to lose faith in Elohim, did you finally realize that through it all he was working out a glorious plan, bringing you into your destiny, and that he had been preparing you for some assignment or mission all along?
Some insights for Midrash – some points to ponder. I think that the paths we end up on in our lives are as divergent as our character and our callings in the Kingdom, some of us have our PHd’s from the School of Hard Knocks (Wilderness Campus).
Things always seemed the hardest in the midst of them and the trials in retrospect are not nearly as bad as we thought they were. Yet I can better relate to Jacob than Joesph in someways.
Why did Joesph not leave Potiphars house and return to Canaan? Perhaps it was a better life than being sheep herder in the heat.
I think that He was still working through some lingering bitterness (perhaps) and hurt, in some ways He seems like He is toying or getting a little revenge on his brothers, It seems more like He is testing His Brothers than Elohim. He he lets his brothers sweat it out in prison for 3 days. Gen 42:17 So he put them all together in prison three days. 18 Then Joseph said to them the third day, “Do this and live, for I fear God:
Gen 42:21 Then they said to one another, “We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us.”
And Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not speak to you, saying, “Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.”
But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter.
Was this guilt and true remorse or just “situational” regret at this point? Indeed they did reap a certain amount of stress and heartache.
Poor Simon – is “patiently waiting in prison” I can imagine him thinking every morning that this is the day that they will return, with great anticipation. Meanwhile we read “Gen 43:2 And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, “Go back, buy us a little food.” ” And it came to pass…. ” Gen 43:10 “As it is, if we had not delayed, we could have gone and returned twice.” Poor Simon. He had to wait for the food to run out to be rescued. Was He the ring leader in the plot against Joesph? Did his anger manifest in a spirit of murder in seeking to kill Joesph? We read in Gen 49:5 that He had a problem controlling His anger. Was Yesuha indirectly referring to this portion of Genesis, in the Sermon on the Mount Matt. 5:21-26 which contains all the elements. Angry with your brother, Murder and being put in prison.
It is interesting how much a part garments play in Joesph life, Joesph lost his garments twice, both times he ended up in captivity ( Coat of many colors and with Potiphar wife) then at the reunion he gives them all a change of clothes except Benyamin he gives 5 sets and when he eats he gets a 5-fold portion over his brothers. I wonder why five times the amount in food and rainment. Any thoughts?
I wonder if the reason that Yehuda received the Birthright Blessing (Joesph received the Double portion blessing Gen 49 and 48 vis-a-via Ephraim/Manasseh) is that He actually walked out the Kinsmen redeemer in regards to Benjamymin as well as with Joesph ( Gen 44:18 32-33; Gen 43:8-9 even in regards to Joesph while it looks like He is only has a mercenary ambition -Gen 37:26), Maybe it was or maybe it was wisdom and the only way He could see to preserve his brothers life.
Another parallel in the lives of Judah and Jacob. Perhaps he could better relate to his Dad in that both had lost a wife and sons (Rachel, Joesph & Simon / Shua, Er & Onan ) – in regards to being surety for Benjamin to travel to Egypt. Perhaps his brothers had been transformed, Revelation speaks of being given new garments.
Emma pointed out while their was famine in the land food was available. Gen 43:11 And their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man–a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.
After Joesph reveals Himself – can you imagine trying to explain the truth to the Patriarch Israel of how Joesph was still alive and what has transpired that He ended up in Egypt.
On a humorous note: can you hear Jacob, responding in his best Tevia impersonation “another dream” (fiddler on the roof). To Joesph when He shares that he has “another dream….”