Genesis 45:7

And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

And God {H430} sent {H7971} me before you {H6440} to preserve {H7760} you a posterity {H7611} in the earth {H776}, and to save your lives {H2421} by a great {H1419} deliverance {H6413}.

God sent me ahead of you to ensure that you will have descendants on earth and to save your lives in a great deliverance.

God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

And God sent me before you to preserve you a remnant in the earth, and to save you alive by a great deliverance.

Commentary

In Genesis 45:7, Joseph, now the powerful governor of Egypt, reveals his identity to his brothers. This pivotal moment is not one of accusation or bitterness, but profound spiritual insight. Joseph attributes his rise to power, and the subsequent salvation of his family from a severe famine, directly to God's sovereign hand. He assures his brothers that God orchestrated his being "sent" ahead, not for their harm, but for their ultimate good and preservation.

Context

This verse is part of Joseph's emotional reunion and reconciliation with his brothers. After years of separation, slavery, and imprisonment, Joseph has risen to become second only to Pharaoh. A devastating famine grips the land, forcing Joseph's brothers to come to Egypt for food. Upon revealing himself, Joseph quickly moves to reassure his fearful brothers, explaining that his suffering was part of God's larger, benevolent plan. This immediate reassurance highlights Joseph's spiritual maturity and understanding of divine providence, preventing his brothers from dwelling on their past sin against him.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Providence: Joseph explicitly states, "God sent me before you." This phrase underscores the biblical truth that God is actively involved in human affairs, orchestrating events—even those that seem tragic or unjust—to fulfill His ultimate purposes. It's a powerful declaration that God's plan transcends human intentions and actions.
  • Preservation of a Remnant: The phrase "to preserve you a posterity in the earth" speaks to God's commitment to His covenant promises. The survival of Jacob's family (which would become the nation of Israel) was crucial for the continuation of God's redemptive plan, ultimately leading to the Messiah. This act of preservation ensures the lineage through which God's promises would be fulfilled, echoing themes found in God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis.
  • Deliverance and Salvation: Joseph highlights that God's purpose was "to save your lives by a great deliverance." This emphasizes the magnitude of God's intervention, rescuing them from certain death due to famine. It's a testament to God's power to provide salvation and rescue in desperate circumstances.
  • Redemption from Evil: Although not explicitly stated in this verse, the underlying message, elaborated in Genesis 50:20, is that what the brothers intended for evil, God intended for good. Joseph's suffering was a means to a greater divine end.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "preserve" (לְהַחֲיוֹת, le-hakhayot) implies giving life or keeping alive, emphasizing God's life-sustaining power.
  • "Posterity" (שְׁאֵרִית, she'erit) refers to a remnant or surviving group, highlighting the idea of God ensuring the continuity of the family line despite severe challenges.
  • "Great deliverance" (פְּלֵיטָה גְדֹלָה, pelêtah gedolah) suggests a significant and complete escape or survival, underscoring the miraculous nature of their rescue by God's hand.

Practical Application

Joseph's perspective in Genesis 45:7 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today. It encourages us to look beyond immediate circumstances and trust in God's overarching plan, even when life's events seem chaotic or unfair. This verse reminds us that God can use difficult situations, betrayals, and suffering to accomplish His good purposes, not only for our individual lives but also for the broader scope of His Kingdom. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of forgiveness and to see God's hand at work, knowing that His ultimate goal is often our preservation and a greater deliverance.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 44:4 (4 votes)

    Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.

  • Acts 7:35 (4 votes)

    This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send [to be] a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.

  • Psalms 18:50 (3 votes)

    Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

  • Judges 15:18 (3 votes)

    ¶ And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?

  • 1 Chronicles 11:14 (2 votes)

    And they set themselves in the midst of [that] parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved [them] by a great deliverance.