What does Genesis 45:11 mean?

Joseph is describing his plan to save his entire family from the ravages of a famine. This would have been an overwhelming, stunning moment for his brothers. Only moments ago, they feared for the life of their youngest brother, Benjamin (Genesis 44:17). Shortly after, they feared vengeance from a man they had sold as a slave. Then they were stunned to hear that man speak of his plan to save their entire family (Genesis 45:1–8).

Not only does Joseph seem to have forgiven his older brothers, but he also wants to rescue them. He has insisted they return to Canaan and bring Jacob back. In fact, he wants them to move the entire family and all they own to Egypt, to the fertile region of Goshen along the Nile River. Joseph knows the current crippling famine will last another five years (Genesis 41:28–31. There's simply no way the family will survive in Canaan. Joseph's plan is to save them from poverty and death.

Then, as now, poverty and famine forces families into terrible choices. To survive, many families may sell all they own. Eventually, they might even sell themselves as slaves of one kind or another. Poverty could lead to death, but it could also result in family groups being broken up in a desperate attempt to stay alive. God would need to intervene to keep this from happening to His chosen people, Israel. Joseph revealed to His brothers that God has done exactly that (Genesis 45:5). They will be saved through Joseph's power and influence in Egypt.