“Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.”NIV

“I am Joseph!” (3a).

‘Thus, when Christ would convince Paul, he said, I am Jesus; and when he would comfort his disciples, he said, It is I, be not afraid. When Christ manifests himself to his people, he encourages them to draw near to him with a true heart.’ Matthew Henry.

We have noted previously that there are parallels between the Joseph story and the life of Jesus. Here is, I believe, another point of convergence. No-one can know who Jesus truly is except by the gift of ‘revelation’. It is a miracle whenever anyone’s eyes are opened to see Jesus and to comprehend who He is.

In Romans 9-11, Paul writes about God’s purpose for Israel. He seems to envisage a day (which many believe to be still to come) when hosts of Jews will turn to Jesus. For example, he writes about a day when “…all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26). F.B.Meyer suggests that we may well have a picture of that day here in Genesis 45:3 – the day when Jesus reveals Himself to His Jewish brethren.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, there are so many things I do not know, but this I do know: once I was blind, but now I see. I can’t take any credit for it. It’s a miracle of grace. Thank you for opening my eyes to the truth.