JOSEPH #23 | JOSEPH IN EGYPT #5 | JOSEPH RECONCILES WITH JACOB IN EGYPT AFTER 22 YEARS.
Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3619
JOSEPH #23
JOSEPH IN EGYPT #5
JOSEPH RECONCILES WITH JACOB IN EGYPT AFTER 22 YEARS.
“Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while” (Gen. 46:29).
This reconciliation between father and son is both beautiful and moving, and undoubtedly one of the most touching accounts of reconciliation in the Bible.
But its prophetic significance should not be missed.
1. After joyful tears and embraces, Jacob said he could die in peace after reuniting with Joseph (Gen. 46:30).
The patriarch had been convinced that he would restlessly mourn Joseph’s death all the way to his own grave (37:29–35), but he could face his end with confidence and hope after seeing his son alive.
Believers have a similar experience today. Figuratively speaking, Joseph died and rose again in Jacob’s eyes. We now know the One greater than Joseph who was literally resurrected. Thus, we can face death with peace (1 Peter 1:3).
2. It is fitting that Jacob sent Judah ahead to lead him to Joseph (46:28) since he was the one who initiated the events that caused Joseph’s absence in the first place (37:26–28).
We can also see here a faint picture of Christ, for while Jesus never sinfully sold His kin into slavery, He was also sent by the Father to reunite the Almighty with His people (John 3:16).
3. Joseph came in a "chariot" - an overlooked detail - denoting his high and exalted status - but in a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness. This is an apt reminder to his brothers that despite his earthly accolades Joseph was willing to grant them the grace of forgiveness before God and their earthly father Jacob as witnesses.
He had the power to do otherwise, but Joseph was kind to his repentant brothers, showing us how God’s people repay evil with good (Rom. 12:14–21).
This is akin to the picture of our Lord at His Second Coming - on a white horse and crowned with many crowns - to offer the grace of salvation and the mercy of undeserved forgiveness to those who have truly repented of their sins.
Today's lesson is prophetic: we are all called to be ministers of reconciliation in the End Times.
God sent His Son into the world to restore His relationship with us, so too must we be ministers of reconciliation (Matt. 5:21–26).
