It was not Joseph’s wish to remain a stranger to his father’s household and he told them of his desire to bring them all into a place where hunger would be unknown and where they would be under his loving and able care. “There will I nourish thee,” he promised. A wonderful place was assured them, but the security of it was in the person of Joseph who would be near them and nourish them. Happy the Christian who learns to keep near the Person of the Lord Jesus. There he proves the loving care of the Good Shepherd who leads His own into green pastures and still waters. In the mutual good of that communion they are ever preserved from spiritual famine or want.
“And he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.” vv. 14,15. The tears and kisses testified to the reality of Joseph’s words. Through these assurances, sealed with kisses and tears, the barriers were broken, fear dispelled, and “his brethren talked with him.” How much there was to talk about—they could scarcely touch on all the events of the many years of separation; nor yet fully enter into all that the promises of the future meant to them. There is a more blessed time for the believer to contemplate, when united with His glorious Saviour. In the ages to come God will display “the exceeding riches of His grace, in His kindness toward us. through Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:77That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7).
“And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, Joseph’s brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.” v. 16. When Joseph revealed himself to his brethren no one outside the family was permitted to witness the scene, but now the time had come for Pharaoh and his people to learn of the joy of his reunion. Insofar as the record goes, it appears that the Egyptians were never told of the past misbehavior of these men —they were simply and plainly identified as “Joseph’s brethren” and Pharaoh and his servants were pleased with what they heard.
Once more a lovely picture is before us. In that day when Jesus, as Messiah, will be owned by Israel, those who are outside will also be witness to their joy and prosperity. “And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against Me; and ... . whereby they have... transgressed against Me. And it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise and an honor before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.” Jer. 33:7-97And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first. 8And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me. 9And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honor before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it. (Jeremiah 33:7‑9). As we see the divine plan unfolded in the Scriptures shall we not say with the Apostle Paul: “How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!”
ML 11/05/1967