An Old Man's Depression is Cured and Hope Revived

There are 50 chapters in the Book of Genesis. We're at 45. Think we can make it to Exodus today?

Beresheet (Genesis) 45:1-2 "Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, 'Make everyone go out from me!' So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it."

I knew he wouldn't be willing to put his father in danger, even if it meant giving up his games. Do you suppose he's forgiven his brothers?

Beresheet 45:3-8 "Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am Joseph; does my father still live?' But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. And Joseph said to his brothers, 'Please come near to me.' so they came near. Then he said: 'I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for Elohim sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And Elohim sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but Elohim; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.'"

Can you imagine? Here you've been, living with guilt for YEARS because you made your brother vanish and broke your father's heart, sending him spiraling into a depression from which he could not come out. You remember your little brother every day when you see your father's face, but you can't tell him the truth, because the very thought that you caused your own brother's disappearance would be enough to kill him. Imagine living with that for a couple decades, then finding out your brother is not only just fine, but is ruler over all of Egypt, working to save your family from starvation. What would you do?

Beresheet 45:9-11 "'Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, "Thus says your son Joseph: 'Elohim has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry. You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children's children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine.'"'

Now imagine the brother you made disappear is now offering to give you everything you and your family needs for the rest of your life? How's that guilty feeling doing?

Beresheet 45:12-13 "'And behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my mouth that speaks to you. So you shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen; and you shall hurry and bring my father down here.'"

You notice he's kind of running a monologue right now? I'm thinking his brothers may have been struck speechless.

Beresheet 45:14-15 "Then he fell on his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with them."

Yep, speechless. Also, it isn't too peculiar to fall on someone's neck and weep on it. Methinks it's probably another way to say he gave them all a bear hug and cried on their shoulders because it's just so good to see them again, despite the circumstances.

Beresheet 45:16-20 "Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, 'Joseph's brothers have come.' So it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Say to your brothers, "Do this: Load your animals and depart; go to the land of Canaan. Bring your father and your households and come to me; I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land. Now you are commanded - do this: Take carts out of the land of Egypt for you little ones and your wives; bring your father and come. Also do not be concerned about your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours."'"

Family reunion is on the way! Everybody's going to leave their land and come live with Joseph in Egypt. Considering there is currently a country on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea called Israel, I think it's safe to say that they didn't stay there forever. We'll find out how that goes later.

Beresheet 45:21-24 "Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them carts, according to the command of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey. He gave to all of them, to each man, changes of garments; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments. And he sent to his father these things: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his father for the journey. So he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them, 'See that you do not become troubled along the way.'"

In other words... Have a safe trip. Do you think Jacob will believe his sons? If he does, do you think he'll manage to not suffer a heart attack?

Beresheet 45:25-28 "Then they went up out of Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to Jacob their father. And they told him, saying, 'Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.' And Jacob's heart stood still, because he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. Then Israel said, 'It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.'"

How about that! Things are finally looking up (YAY!), we'll take a look at the next chapters pretty soon.