My Son Joseph is Still Alive,
I Will Go and See Him Before I Die
45: 21-28
So the sons of Isra’el did what Pharaoh told them to do. Joseph gave them carts as Pharaoh had said and he also gave them provisions for their journey. As a special favor, he gave each of them two changes of new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes (45:21-22). It is ironic that the bitterness between Yosef and his brothers began over a piece of clothing, Joseph’s coat of many colors (37:3). Now their reconciliation was symbolized by his gifts of new clothing to them.695
And to his father he sent ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey. Again, a truly Egyptian Pharaoh would never have done this. Only a Hyksos Pharaoh would take care of other Semites in that manner. Those were twenty donkeys in addition to the brothers’ own donkeys. After all, they had eighty people to feed. Then Yosef sent his brothers away and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way” (45:23-24)! In other words, don’t poison the future with the pain of the past. He wanted them to know that every one of his promises was real, and they should hurry back to Canaan without delay.
So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. Then they told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” The very one whom they had greatly feared was their brother! It is interesting to note though, that there is no record of any confession on their part of the crime committed so many years previous. Jacob was stunned and did not believe them at first (45:25-26). 76. Although Isra’el believed the lie that Yosef was dead, and he would not believe the truth that he was alive. The same is true for Isra’el today; they believe that Yeshua is dead, and will not believe the truth that He is alive.696
But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Yosef had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Ya’akov revived. This was proof of what they were saying. His shock and disbelief eventually turned to joy and Isra’el said: I’m convinced! My son Yosef is still alive. I will go and see him before I die (45:27-28). It is fitting that Ya’akov be called Isra’el at the last. Isra’el was Jacob’s new name, a name that spoke of a new destiny and a new future. And Isra’el did indeed have a new hope and a new expectation. Joseph was alive! Isra’el would see him shortly.697
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