“BROTHERS GOTTA HUG!”

Genesis 45:1-15

Joseph could no longer control himself in front of all his attendants, so he declared, “Everyone, leave now!” So no one stayed with him when he revealed his identity to his brothers. ² He wept so loudly that the Egyptians and Pharaoh’s household heard him. ³ Joseph said to his brothers, “I’m Joseph! Is my father really still alive?” His brothers couldn’t respond because they were terrified before him.

⁴ Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me,” and they moved closer. He said, “I’m your brother Joseph! The one you sold to Egypt. ⁵ Now, don’t be upset and don’t be angry with yourselves that you sold me here. Actually, God sent me before you to save lives. ⁶ We’ve already had two years of famine in the land, and there are five years left without planting or harvesting. ⁷ God sent me before you to make sure you’d survive and to rescue your lives in this amazing way. ⁸ You didn’t send me here; it was God who made me a father to Pharaoh, master of his entire household, and ruler of the whole land of Egypt.

⁹ “Hurry! Go back to your father. Tell him this is what your son Joseph says: ‘God has made me master of all of Egypt. Come down to me. Don’t delay. ¹⁰ You may live in the land of Goshen, so you will be near me, your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds, and everyone with you. ¹¹ I will support you there, so you, your household, and everyone with you won’t starve, since the famine will still last five years.’ ¹² You and my brother Benjamin have seen with your own eyes that I’m speaking to you. ¹³ Tell my father about my power in Egypt and about everything you’ve seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” ¹⁴ He threw his arms around his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his shoulder. ¹⁵ He kissed all of his brothers and wept, embracing them. After that, his brothers were finally able to talk to him.

Key Verse:

He threw his arms around his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his shoulder. He kissed all of his brothers and wept, embracing them. After that, his brothers were finally able to talk to him. —Genesis 45:14-15

Commentary:

This Bible family’s story is complicated, so here’s a simplified version: Jacob, otherwise known as Israel, is the father of twelve sons, who become the figureheads and namesakes of the twelve tribes of Israel. Earlier in Genesis, we read about Joseph’s immaturity as the favored son. Joseph’s actions fueled his brothers’ jealousy, eventually causing them to sell him into slavery to an Ishmaelite tradesman. In this Scripture, decades have passed and with God’s help, Joseph has survived and ascended to a prominent position in Egypt. He finally reveals his true identity to his brothers after playing a few tricks on them.

Questions to Discuss:

Joseph seems anxious to reconnect with his brothers. How might you have felt, do you think, considering the circumstances?

How do you think the brothers felt after Joseph revealed his identity?

If you were cast off from your family but then had the opportunity to save them many years later, what do you think you would do?