Genesis 45:1-28
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The doctrine of reconciliation is an important doctrine throughout Scripture. Reconciliation means to be restored to fellowship. The whole Bible is about how God has brought about restoring sinful human beings back to fellowship with Himself through Christ. The history of Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers who wickedly sold him into slavery decades before parallels the reconciliation of sinners to God through the person and work of Christ.

The reconciliation of Joseph to his brothers in Genesis 45 would have been impossible apart from the true repentance in chapter 44. The repentance resulted from God’s awakening their guilty consciences (chapter 42) and pouring out through Joseph’s kindness abounding grace to them (chapter 43).

We see the same progression for anyone who is finally reconciled to God. Our sin guilt would lead to nothing if it had not been for God’s lavish grace displayed through Christ. And until we reach real repentance our faith we find it impossible to rely fully on Christ for salvation. We don’t really want it badly enough. The blessings of reconciliation illustrated in Joseph’s history are nothing more than wishful thinking apart from awakened guilt, abounding grace, and true repentance that led to reconciliation.

No reconciliation possible without this move on Joseph’s part. The brothers were entirely at the mercy of Joseph to reveal to them who he was. His love for them stirred his compassion so that he could not continue to leave them in the dark. Their repentance was such that Joseph’s forgiveness would now be welcomed, though it would have seemed impossible till they knew who he was.

No reconciliation is possible apart from God’s move to make Himself known to us. In His compassion He has done so. Scripture bears frequent testimony to this truth: Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:19-20; Hebrews 1:1-3; John 1:1; Matthew 11:27; Matthew 16:17; 2 Corinthians 4:6; and Romans 10:14-15a.

God has made known not just His truth—He has made known Himself—to make reconciliation possible. Has it dawned on you who Jesus is?

II. Divine Purpose (4-8)

Joseph’s enslavement and rise to power was brought about by God (Genesis 45:9) to fulfill God’s purposes to save the Israelites, through whom the promised Savior was to come.

God’s purpose was not just to lift up Joseph, or just to save his family, but to save the human race through Jesus Christ, offspring of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah.

His saving purpose drives what He does in history, of the world, of nations, of individuals. Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers was part of God’s plan to reconcile the world to Himself through Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Joseph’s brothers did not earn his forgiveness—He gave it because He recognized god’s purposes. We cannot earn forgiveness—God’s purpose in Christ is to give it. We can forgive others when we are yielded to God’s purpose.

III. Loving Unity (9-15)

Surely, reconciliation must by definition bring about loving unity—reunion, dwelling together, weeping, kissing, and talking together.

Good news is not good if strife, bitterness, division still reign. Instead there is love, joy, and peace. Reminds us of the descriptions of believers united together in Acts—they were one body, many members in order to build up the body in love (Ephesians 4:16).

Where there is reconciliation there is unity and love (John 13:35). Loving God leads to loving others. Lack of unity or divisions is an evidence of carnality (1 Corinthians; James 3; John 17:20-21; Ephesians 4:1-3; Romans 16:17-18a).

Is God’s great work of reconciliation shaping your view of others and your interactions with them? Loving unity? If it does not exist with others, are you sure it exists between you and God?

IV. Royal Provision (16-24)

Every possible need for the journey and for their future dwelling in Egypt completely supplied—changes of clothes, food, transportation, land. God’s people are heirs of an eternal inheritance and guaranteed supply of our temporal needs (Matthew 6; Hebrews 13; Philippians 4; Matthew 19:29).

Why did Joseph tell them not to quarrel on their return trip (Genesis 45:24)?

If the brothers had not yet thought of it, they would on their journey back—after all these years they were about to divulge to their father what really happened to Joseph years before. It would be easy to try to pass the blame to one another, spoiling their newfound joy and unity, and diverting their minds from the abundant provision God had made for them through Joseph.

If we are convinced that God has royally provided for our every need, much of our conflict with other brothers and sisters in Christ will seem silly (James 4:1).

We are royally provided for and therefore we can joyfully live with contentment, at peace with others, without envy, and without jealousy. We’ve all been treated better than we deserve!

V. New Life (25-28)

Jacob has been full of worries and sorrows ever since he lost Joseph. Now, as impossible as it seems, he has him back. He has a new lease on life—his spirit revived. “It is enough.”

Reconciliation with God is impossible—except for His loving and powerful work displayed in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But those who are reconciled enter a new life, full of blessings during this life merging into the infinite blessings of the next (2 Corinthians 5:17-18; 1 John 5:11-12). These blessings are only the beginning; it gets far better forever.

Do you have a hunger for a new beginning, a revitalization, a life full of blessing from God? Yours only by being reconciled to God through Christ

God is the Creator, the Sustainer, and the Restorer of life. He even uses what people intend for evil to bring about His plan of reconciliation: the Cross.

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