Genesis 45:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Israel said, "It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."

NIV: And Israel said, "I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."

NASB: Then Israel said, 'It is enough; my son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.'

CSB: Then Israel said, "Enough! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go to see him before I die."

NLT: Then Jacob exclaimed, 'It must be true! My son Joseph is alive! I must go and see him before I die.'

KJV: And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.

NKJV: Then Israel said, “ It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

Fittingly, this verse once again refers to Jacob using the name Israel. This is the name given to him by the Lord after they wrestled before Jacob's fearful reunion with Esau (Genesis 32:24–28). Both names continue to be used interchangeably in the book of Genesis.

What Israel says demonstrates that he has accepted the story his sons have told him. He believes Joseph is alive and thriving as a ruler over all of Egypt (Genesis 45:25). That leaves the question of what to do about his ten oldest sons—they had cruelly sold Joseph into slavery and then lied about it (Genesis 37:24–33). Amazingly, Jacob chooses to focus purely on the good in this tremendous turn of events. He declares "it is enough" to know that Joseph is not dead.

Jacob accepts this incredible news as God's provision for him in his old age. Not only did God protect Jacob's family from all the things he feared, including losing Benjamin and starving in the famine, God has somehow also given him the impossible gift of returning the son that was lost. Jacob announces his intention to travel to Egypt and see Joseph before he dies. In doing so, he agrees to Joseph's plan to move the family to Egypt. There, they will be provided for during the severe famine. This disaster will continue to afflict the world for another five years (Genesis 45:5–7).

Despite Jacob's sense of his impending death, he would live another 17 years in the land of Egypt (Genesis 47:28). As he sets out, he will also be reassured by God that this is the right course of action (Genesis 46:2–4).

Genesis 45:16–28 describes Pharaoh's enthusiastic response to learning about Joseph's reunion with his estranged family. With Pharaoh's blessing, Joseph urges his brothers to return to Canaan, pack all they own, and come back to resettle the family in Egypt. Their father Jacob agrees after eventually being convinced the story is true.

Genesis 45 is a series of revelations. Following an emotional breakdown, Joseph finally reveals his identity to his baffled brothers. After they realize the governor of Egypt is the one they sold into slavery two decades earlier, he rushes to tell them he does not hold them responsible. In His own way, God had arranged for Joseph's enslavement, for the purpose of saving many people from famine. With Pharaoh's enthusiastic support, Joseph arranged for his brothers to return to Canaan, pack up Jacob and all they own, and come back to resettle in Egypt. Jacob, finally convinced all this is true, agrees to the move.

Genesis 44 concluded with an impassioned speech from Judah, offering to sacrifice himself for his younger brother. Overwhelmed with emotion, Joseph breaks down and finally reveals his identity to his brothers. He urges them to move Jacob's entire family to Egypt to survive the famine. Jacob agrees, leading to the migration and resettlement depicted in Genesis 46. The remainder of Genesis describes the happy results of this relocation.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.