We Have To Win Our Brother!
“...and He has committed to us the Word (message) of Reconciliation.” 2 Cor. 5:19b
Genesis 42:8 But Joseph had recognized his brothers, although they did not recognize him.
The one who takes the initiative in reconciliation is the one who recognizes his brothers–and sees their need. This is the beginning of justice.
Gen. 42:21 “Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.”
Distress will come upon us when we hear, but fail to respond to the distress of our brother. This is injustice.
Genesis 45:1
1 Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried, “Have everyone go out from me.” So there was no man with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. {Joseph had matured - The Word of God had refined him - Psalm 105:16-19.}
2 Cor. 5:14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;
Genesis 45:2
2 He wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard of it. {The spirit of Intercession had come up him–he was standing in the gap for his brothers and for the whole purpose of God. Reconciliation without intercession produces a hollow sound–and reconciliation may take many forms.}
Reconciliation produces a sound that will be heard throughout the land. Ezekiel 37:7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone.
Genesis 45:3 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed (terrified) at his presence.
Reconciliation brings an end to fear.
Gen 45:4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come closer to me. (Draw near to me.)” And they came closer. And he said, “I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. (Acts 7:13)
He revealed himself to them by the sign of the covenant that was cut in his own flesh. On our side of the cross the sign of the covenant is cut into our hearts. 2 Cor. 5:16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.
For we put no confidence in the flesh...only in the true circumcision. The false circumcision mutilates - castrates(eunuchs) - barrenness. The true circumcision cuts away - prunes - resulting in fruitfulness.
In the power of convenantal love all are on an equal footing: justice, one of the foundational principles of His government (Psalm 89:14, 97:2b).
Genesis 45:5 Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. (Joseph is recognizing the Godly characteristic of justice revealed in His own life.)
There is no inequity in covenant. Joseph is the great example of this. He prospered at the Hand of God, but so did his Father’s family. This is justice at work. Biblical prosperity is a fruit of justice and comes as the result of good stewardship. It should not be sought for itself alone. Many sincere advocates of prosperity have actually discovered the principle of justice, they just don’t realize it.
2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
No longer do we count trespasses against one another–all indebtedness (injustice) is forgiven.
Genesis 45:7 God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. 8 Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt. {God will exalt the humble - especially those who have submitted to His humbling. “God blesses those who are gentle and lowly (humble), for the whole earth will belong to them.” Matt. 5:5 New Living} (Philippians 2:7 “He made himself nothing {He laid aside His mighty power and glory.}; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. 8 And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name,...” New Living)
2 Cor. 5:18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Genesis 45:9 Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, “God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay.
2 Cor. 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
The Body (Israel) had to be reconciled to give birth to the nation! Even Joseph with all of his wealth and power was incomplete without his brothers. (Justice is ineffectual in a vacuum.) The Body of Christ must be reconciled to give birth to National Transformation.
Under the Old Covenant the covenant was cut in the flesh of the Hebrew males only.
The New Covenant has been cut once and for all in the flesh of the Messiah and it is applied to the heart of all who will receive - male or female, Jew or Greek, socio-economic status has no bearing. In His flesh every barrier has been broken down.
Genesis 45:11"There I will also provide for you, for there are still five years of famine to come, and you and your household and all that you have would be impoverished.”
Joseph fulfills his role of an intercessor in providing for his family. He saves his family–this is the day of their salvation!
2 Corinthians 6:2 for He says,
“At the acceptable time I listened to you,
And on the day of salvation I helped you.”
Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”—
Genesis 45:12 Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth which is speaking to you.
Joseph has provided a visible witness! There are no longer any barriers, all obstructions to fellowship have been removed. Joseph was one with them in every respect. (The playing field had become level.)
2 Cor. 5:21a “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf,...” (He became one with us in every respect.)
Genesis 45:13a “Now you must tell my father of all my splendor in Egypt, and all that you have seen;...”
2 Cor. 5:21b “...so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Genesis 45:13b “...and you must hurry and bring my father down here.”
2 Cor. 6:1 “And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—“
Relationship with the Father is restored–the family is made whole once again. The beginning and the end of reconciliation is the Fatherhood of God. (Righteousness and justice are reconciled.)
Genesis 45:14 “Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. 15 He kissed all his brothers and wept on them, and afterward his brothers talked with him.”
They enjoy the sweet common-union of the family of God!
Ephesians 4: 4 “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”
Genesis 45:17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: load your beasts and go to the land of Canaan, 18 and take your father and your households and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you will eat the fat of the land.’”
Authentic reconciliation bears the nutritious fruit of justice (and righteousness).
Genesis 45:24 So he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the journey.”
Genesis 45: 27 When they told him all the words of Joseph that he had spoken to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived.
When Jacob saw the evidence of reconciliation, justice, he believed!
Genesis 45:28 Then Israel said, “It is enough; my son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
The relationship between father and son that had been broken for many years would be restored.
Genesis 46:3 He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there.”
The purposes of God for the nation would go forward unhindered.
