Genesis 45:16-28

Israel’s decision to move to Egypt 45:16-28

Pharaoh’s invitation was as generous as it was because Pharaoh held Joseph in high regard. This is another excellent example of hospitality: giving the best that one has to a starving and needy family. Pharaoh’s invitation was an invitation, not a command. Pharaoh had no authority to command Jacob to move into Egypt. Jacob was free to accept or reject this offer. If Jacob chose to accept it, he would be free to return to Canaan whenever he chose. The fact that Jacob’s family could not leave Egypt once they settled there was due to a new Pharaoh’s new policies concerning the Israelites as residents of Egypt. It was not due to the action of this Pharaoh (Sesostris III).

". . . when Pharaoh restates Joseph’s offer and ’twice’ gives the brothers the ’good’ (Genesis 45:18; Genesis 45:20) of the land of Egypt, it is hard not to see in the purpose of this narrative a conscious allusion to the ’good’ (Genesis 1:31) land given to Adam in Genesis 1. The picture of Joseph is a picture of restoration-not just the restoration of the good fortune of Jacob, but, as a picture, the restoration of the blessing that was promised through the seed of Jacob. This picture is also a blueprint for the hope that lies for the people of Israel at the end of the Pentateuch. They are to go into the land and enjoy it as God’s good gift (e.g., Deuteronomy 30:5)." [Note: Sailhamer, The Pentateuch . . ., p. 223.]

Joseph’s admonition to his brothers not to quarrel on their journey (Genesis 45:24) is a bit unclear. Probably he meant just that: not to become involved in arguing and recriminations over the past (cf. Proverbs 29:9). Since Joseph had forgiven them, they should forgive one another (cf. Matthew 18:21-35). However the usual meaning of the Hebrew word is to fear (cf. Exodus 15:14). So part of his meaning may be that they should not be afraid of robbers as they returned to Canaan or fearful of returning to Egypt in the future. [Note: Wenham, Genesis 16-50, p. 430.]

Jacob had suffered as a victim of his sons’ deception and malice. He had also suffered because of his own failure to cling to the promises that God had given to his forefathers, himself, and Joseph in his dreams. Jacob always had difficulty believing without seeing. Nevertheless when he believed that Joseph was alive and ruling over Egypt, his spirit revived and he returned to a position of trust in God. For this reason Moses called him "Israel" again in the text (Genesis 45:28). Often in Genesis a final comment by a chief actor in the drama anticipates the next scene, as here.

"Both Abraham and Jacob figuratively receive their sons back from the dead. Both sons prefigure the death and resurrection of Christ, but Joseph even more so. Both are not only alive but rulers over all (cf. Acts 2:32-34; Philippians 2:6-11). Jacob’s response on hearing the incredibly good news prefigures the response of the disciples when the women tell them that Christ is alive, having been raised from the dead. They too greet the news at first with stunned disbelief and finally with unspeakable joy when it is proved with many infallible proofs (cf. Luke 24:9-49; John 21:1-9; John 21:24-25; Acts 1:3). Their faith, like Jacob’s, revives them, reorients their lives, and makes them pilgrims venturing from land plagued by famine to the best land imaginable." [Note: Waltke, Genesis, p. 578.]