Introduction

“Do you know what God wants from you today? Reconciliation. That’s far more important than singing in the choir, preaching a sermon, serving in the nursery, or giving an offering. When we learn this, God is going to bring great revival to our churches.”

Dr. Adrian Rogers

Joseph, once again, (see Joseph the Great) is an exquisite type of Jesus Christ.

• His brethren sinned against the ‘son of the father’ (Genesis 37) when they stole his Coat.
• His brethren sinned against the ‘second to the king’ (Genesis 44) when they stole his Cup.

Mankind attempted to get rid of Christ the first time by killing Him. Now He, unknown to the sinner, has been seeking reconciliation. Joseph (Christ) at first was framed to suffer innocently, now at the end the siblings (sinner) is sentenced to suffer justly. If they refuse to acknowledge their sin, He will remain a stranger, and will judge them as a distant, austere Sovereign. If they own up; He will be their Saviour.

Genesis 45 is the summation of Joseph’s plan to reconcile his brothers.

 The Highlights of the story of Genesis 45 are:

1. 1-15 Joseph’s Reconciliation With His Brothers
2. 16-24 Joseph’s Relocation Of His Brothers
3. 25-28 Joseph’s Report From His Brothers

Outstanding events in the story:

1. A Family Reunion 15
2. A Full Recompense 20
3. A Father’s Reviving 27

We will focus on Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers that brings about a blessed family reunion.

Now, the 15 Terms of Endearment for this Reconciliation are as follows:

A. It is Privately Negotiated “And there stood no man with him” v.1

The servants played a role in bringing them to Joseph, but they must deal with Joseph alone.

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” 1 Timothy 1:5

B. It is Passionately Evidenced “And he wept aloud” v.2

The proof of sincerity and power on the Lord’s behalf are his sufferings.

“To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:” Acts 1:3

C. It is Personally Authored “I am Joseph… troubled at his presence” v.3

The faith once delivered to and defended by the saints was designed by God.

He revealed himself by a new name: not Zaphnath-paaneah but Joseph.

“And he (Paul) said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Acts 9:5

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;” Hebrews 12:2

D. It is Proximately Granted “Come near to me” v.4

God came as far as he could to stand by you today.

He Came To Me by Squire Parsons
The gulf that separated me from Christ, my Lord,
Was so vast the crossing I could never ford;
From where I was to His domain, it seemed so far,
I cried, "Dear Lord, I cannot come to where you are."

So He came to me, O He came to me.
When I could not come to where He was, He came to me.
That's why He died on Calvary;
When I could not come to where He was, He came to me.

He came to me when I was bound in chains of sin,
He came to me when I possessed no hope within,
He picked me up and drew me gently to His side;
Where, today, in His sweet love I now abide.

“The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;” Romans 10:8

E. It is Pridefully Insulated “Be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves” v.5

The guilty state of the world convicts the sinner to deliverance or depression.

“And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last:” John 8:9

F. It is Profitably Insured “These two years hath famine been in the land” v.6

Apart from Christ, things don’t get better. These years before you came to Him have been hard- how can you make it any longer?

“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Romans 2:4

G. It is Purposely Intended “To preserve you a posterity” v.7

Temporary gratification is not New Testament salvation. Everlasting glory is.

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:29-31

H. It is Providentially Supplied “But God: and he hath made me a father… and lord… and a ruler” v.8

They realize Joseph has been thinking of them for the past 13 years. When are you going to stop running away from His Providence, and run to it?

“Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:31

I. It is Presently Enjoined “Haste ye, … come down unto me, tarry not.” v.9

Joseph’s pleas mean nothing if they are not reciprocated.

“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” 2 Corinthians 6:2

J. It is Plentifully Prepared “Thou shalt dwell in the land… all that thou hast:” v.10

No question of room. There was no room for Christ though He was long foretold; yet in His absence He has not grown accustomed to us being away. Instead, He builds us a palace.

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2

K. It is Pertinently Arranged “There will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine” v.11

The message of reconciliation could not have come IN a better time, or FOR a better time, than THIS.

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9

L. It is Peacefully Entreated “It is my mouth that speaketh unto you” v.12

He could have continued to speak through an interpreter. The Spirit of Christ is earnestly beseeching you, sinner.

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;” 2 Corinthians 5:18

M. It is Persuasively Repeated “Ye shall tell my father of all my glory” v.13

God has accomplished something wonderful. He has done the impossible for me. What amazing news to tell! What an epic story to relate!

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

N. It is Preciously Received “And he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck” v.14

There is a move of Joseph to Benjamin: then there is a move of Benjamin to Joseph.

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” James 4:8

O. It is Prayerfully Enjoyed “Moreover his kissed all his brethren,… and after that his brethren talked with him.” v.15

When our hearts soften in repentance, Heaven is no longer brass, but a bridge for open conversation. God’s ear is turned to our hurt as our heart turns us to Him. We have fellowship together.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

“After the tokens of true reconciliation follow the instances of a sweet communion.”

Matthew Henry

He Was There All The Time by Gary Paxton

Time after time I’ve been searching for peace in some void,
I was trying to blame all my ill in this world I was in.
Surface relationship used me till I was done in,
And all the while someone was begging to free me from sin

He was there all the time,
He was there all the time,
Waiting patiently in line,
He was there all the time.

Never again will I look for a fare rainbows end,
Now that I have the answer, my life is just starting to rhyme;
Sharing each new day with Him is a cup of fresh life,
Oh! What I’ve missed, He’s been waiting right here all the time