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Bible Notes - Tabernacle Commentaries
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Genesis 45:14
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In an expression of deep emotion he falls on his brother’s neck and kisses him, and Benjamin does the same, being the first to recover from the shock. Joseph kisses all his brothers: those brothers who, the last time they had touched Joseph, had manhandled him into slavery. There is no revenge in Joseph’s heart. He has forgiven them freely. He has received far more from God than they have been able to take from him. He is like a spectator on his own life, observing with wonder what God has done for him and for all of Abraham’s descendants.Now the brothers are ready to talk with him. Now they will cautiously plead for his forgiveness, ask what has happened in the intervening years. They will become aware of how much pain they have caused him. They want to know the incredible story of how he was led by God all these years and finally came to be what he is now.The fame of these remarkable events spreads throughout Pharoah’s entire household, and the good news is treated with great joy. Pharoah himself is pleased to hear of it, perhaps having some knowledge of the hardships Joseph has been through, for Joseph had spoken of these to the butler, in explaining how he came to be in prison.
Application
Even though he is so great in the land, he draws close to his own brothers. Who among the Egyptians would be able to draw so close to him, and weep with him? None. Christ treats his own with a familiarity which is not shown to any who are outside his kingdom. Joseph is a judge who turns out to be a saviour. He is their bread of life. He is the saviour of his family and also of the Egyptians. He comes to fulfil this work at a time of great famine. In all these respects he is a type of Christ. Joseph is not recognised by his family; of Christ it is written, ‘Who has believed our report?’.
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