V.1-13 What a group of troubled men! But broken before God is the prelude to blessing for the believer. Remember that scripture has only one meaning, but many applications. The primary interpretation of this whole story is a picture of Israel, not the church. The church is pictured by Asenath (Gen. 41:5050And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him. (Genesis 41:50)), Joseph’s Gentile wife. The brothers’ experience is a type of Israel in the tribulation. They will then, as a nation, pass through a time of dreadful tribulation for what they did to their Messiah (Acts 2:3636Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)). Then, when they are completely broken, the Lord Jesus is going to come to them, and reign as king over the earth. See “E” on your chart (Rom. 11:2626And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: (Romans 11:26)). We, the church, are His bride (Eph. 5:2525Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25)), and shall reign with Him over the earth.
V.16 Now comes the final confession. God has found out their iniquity! Had He? What they really meant was now we have found out that God knows.
V.18-34 What a tender speech! It comes from the heart of a truly broken man.