(Genesis) Genesis 43:24-30
Joseph's brothers return to Egypt, bringing a present and seeking forgiveness, and Joseph is overcome with emotion when he sees his full brother Benjamin.
In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the emotional reunion between Joseph and his brothers. Joseph is overwhelmed with emotion and quickly leaves the room to weep in private. He then asks his brothers about their father's well-being, showing his genuine concern for his family. The brothers bow down before Joseph and present him with a gift, fulfilling a prophecy. Joseph continues to inquire about their father's health, displaying his love and care for his family.
Full Transcript
Verse 24, "...and the man brought the men into Joseph's house, gave them water, they washed their feet," and here goes that foot washing again. We saw it in Abraham, you remember, and then down in the city of Sodom, "...and they washed their feet, and he gave their asses preventer. And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there." They couldn't imagine being invited to lunch.
"...And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present, which was in their hand, into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth." And here they go, down on their faces before Joseph, and they confessing that they brought a present. You remember that old Jacob told them, said, bring a present down to the man, and they bowed themselves to the earth. That fulfills the prophecy again.
Now notice verse 27, "...he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom you spake? Is he yet alive?" May I say to you, that's a dramatic moment. Joseph is probably there sitting on some elevation, probably not a throne necessarily, but a place of prominence, and these men are bowing down before him. Now they get up, and Joseph looks at them right in the eye, and they look at him, and he says to them, Is your father the old man of whom ye spoke? Is he yet alive? How is he? You see, he's interested.
After all, he's his father also. And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he's yet alive. And they bowed down their heads and made obeisance.
And here they go down on their faces again. I'd love to have had a picture of that, wouldn't you? These brethren, and Benjamin's with them now, and he goes down too now, because after all, all of them went down. Notice what he did.
And he lifted up his eyes, and he saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son. You see, the others were his brothers, but half-brothers. This boy is his full brother, his mother's son.
And he said, Is this your younger brother of whom ye spake unto me? And I think they nodded, and he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son. It's his brother. This is really a dramatic moment.
And Joseph can't take it any longer. Joseph made haste, for his bowels did yearn. That is, oh, his heart went out to his brothers.
His heart yearned upon his brother. And he sought where to weep, and he entered into his chamber and wept there. And he said to his brothers, Excuse me a moment.
Someone wants me on the telephone. And he got out of there as quickly as he could. He went into his own private quarters, and he wept, because he never thought maybe he'd ever see his brothers again, his own brother Benjamin.
Maybe the famine's near to an end now. And seven more years, he's 40 some odd years old. That is, Joseph is.
And Benjamin is the youngest one of all, but he's a young man now. And so Joseph entered into his chamber and wept there.
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction to the Scene
- A. The men are brought into Joseph's house
- B. They are given water and wash their feet
- II. The Men Bring a Present
- A. They bow down before Joseph
- B. They confess that they brought a present
- III. Joseph Asks About Their Welfare
- A. He asks if their father is well
- B. He is interested in their answer
- IV. The Men Answer Joseph's Question
- A. They tell him that their father is in good health
- B. They bow down their heads and make obeisance
- V. Joseph Sees Benjamin
- A. He sees his full brother Benjamin
- B. He is overcome with emotion
Key Quotes
“His heart yearned upon his brother.” — J. Vernon McGee
“And he sought where to weep, and he entered into his chamber and wept there.” — J. Vernon McGee
“God be gracious unto thee, my son.” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- Showing respect and humility can be a powerful way to build relationships and show reverence.
- God's providence can bring people together in unexpected ways, even after long periods of separation.
- Emotional reunions can be a powerful reminder of the importance of family and relationships.