Genesis 45:24-28

Verse 24,  So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way. {25} And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,

I.    Joseph sent his brethren away.

A.     Sometimes before one can receive the blessings of God, they must go through quite a bit of trials.

B.     Joseph must have been afraid they wouldn't return to Canaan.

1.       It would have been easier in the short run for the brothers to keep right on traveling, not stopping at Canaan.

a.      If they do this, they have sold themselves into bondage, like they sold Joseph into bondage 22 years ago.

b.      Joseph trusts them, and apparently doesn't sent anybody with them to make sure they come back.

2.       If they don't come back within a certain period, Joseph will probably send somebody to Canaan in search of his father and bring him back to Egypt to live out the remainder of his life.

II.    The journey is recorded.

Verse 26-28,  And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not. {27} And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived: {28} And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.

I.    Verse 26, Here is probably the hardest thing the brothers have ever done.

A.     They apparently came right out and tell their dad, "Joseph is yet alive."

1.       This is usually the best way to say anything.

2.       I have had people talk around the bush so much that there is no way in the world I could possibly understand what they were getting out.

3.       I do realize, however, that it is sometimes necessary to prepare the person first.

B.     He is "the man", the governor over all the land of Egypt.

1.       According to this scripture, there is no mention of the blood dipped, many colored coat.

2.       Many times, parents do not force their children into confessing what is patently true.

3.       Jacob may have "buried his head in the sand" on the disappearance of Joseph.

4.       He could have honestly believed that his sons were innocent of any wrong doing concerning Joseph.

C.     Jacob's spirit fainted and he cannot believe them.

1.       Jacob is not discounting their honesty, but he finds it impossible to believe that his next to youngest son is alive and the governor of the land of Egypt.

2.       Jacob is acting a lot like his sons acted when Joseph first told him who he was.

II.    Verse 27, The physical evidence proves Jacob's sons are telling the truth.

A.     The sons spoke all the words of Joseph.

1.       Those words were so full of what Jacob wanted to hear that he couldn't believe it for joy.

2.       The boys were completely honest in obeying the commandments of Joseph, even though he wasn't there.

B.     Jacob's spirit is revived.

1.       The sight of the wagons helped convince Jacob that his sons were really telling him the truth.

2.       Jacob makes no mention of the 20 asses loaded with the good things of Egypt.

3.       He was more interested in seeing Joseph than in those possessions.

III.    Verse 28.

A.     It is enough.

1.       Jacob is not interested in hearing anymore.

2.       He doesn't want to hear about the blood soaked many colored coat the brothers brought home.

3.       He doesn't want to hear his sons confession.

4.       He doesn't want to hear how Joseph happened to gain such great power and prestige.

5.       He is very content to know Joseph is alive and that he will be able to see him before he dies.

B.     I will see my son before I die.

1.       Jacob makes this decision very quickly.

2.       We will find in chapter 46:1-4 that Jacob has doubts as to this decision, but God gives him clear direction.

3.       There is nothing wrong with Jacob wanting to see Joseph.