Genesis 45:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.

NIV: And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.

NASB: Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to save lives.

CSB: And now don't be grieved or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life.

NLT: But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.

KJV: Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

NKJV: But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.

More than twenty years after selling their seventeen-year-old brother into slavery (Genesis 37:24–28), Jacob's sons are at the mercy of an incredibly powerful Egyptian governor. They have just learned that this man is the very person they betrayed long ago (Genesis 45:1–4). Their shock and terror are understandable. Only the youngest, Benjamin, was not involved in Joseph's enslavement. The oldest ten have good reason to fear for their lives. Joseph has the moral right—and the power—to end their lives for what they had done to him.

Fortunately for the brothers, Joseph quickly tries to put them at ease. He even tells them not to be hard on themselves. Instead, Joseph explains his perspective about all that has happened to him. Clearly, Joseph has spent much time thinking about the meaning behind his unusual experiences. The summary of his thoughts is profound: God sent me here to save lives. Joseph will restate the same idea later in this passage (Genesis 45:7).

This is among the most crucial concepts in all of Christianity: God works in the world, even through human evil, to accomplish great good. Realizing this truth allowed Joseph to forgive his brothers for their crime. His position is not that they are innocent—only that God had a greater and better purpose for allowing them to do what they did. Without Joseph's suffering, he would not have been in this position of power. With his power, he can now rescue his people from starvation (Genesis 45:6–8).

Genesis 45:1–15 records Joseph's emotional revelation of his identity. Still unrecognized by his estranged brothers, Joseph had tested them, leading to Judah's passionate, sacrificial offer (Genesis 44:18–34). Overcome with emotion, Joseph identifies himself to his dumbfounded brothers. He states with confidence that all this has happened as part of God's plan to preserve the people of Israel.

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.