Chapter 45

Joseph sends out the Egyptians and reveals himself to his brothers.  But the Egyptians hear his weeping.  His brothers are now even more afraid than before. 

This is all reported to Pharoah, and he tells Joseph to bring the whole family down, that they will get the best Egypt has to offer, they and all their children.  Gifts are given to them all, but much more is given to Benjamin.  Do they not realize that favoritism is what started all this in the first place? 

2025 - Here is an interesting verse I haven't noticed before:

24 Then he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, "Do not quarrel on the way." [Gen 45:24 ESV].  What in the world was this about?  Is this something he remembered about them from when he was growing  up?  A characteristic that showed up all the time?  Everything was good.  Taking home food, moving to Egypt as Pharoah's favorites, Joseph alive...hmm...they were going to have to tell their father about all that, and admit they let him grieve Joseph's death all those years when they knew Joseph wasn't dead, just sold into slavery.  Maybe they'd quarrel about how would take the blame for that.  But Joseph telling them this indicates that he though the quarreling might get pretty intense.

God meant for the favoritism to result in Joseph's exile, his coming to power in Egypt, his preservation of Israel in Egypt because of that power, and the eventual captivity of Israel's descendants in that place, as foretold to Abraham so many years before.  Abraham, who put Isaac before Ishmael and his brothers, Isaac, who preferred the food and manliness of Esau before Jacob, and Jacob who showed great favoritism to Joseph, Rachel's firstborn.  To us, all this was wrong and caused so many problems - long term problems - but to God, it was designed to preserve his people. 

This is the same problem that non-Calvinist have with unconditional election.  They don't think it is fair that God chooses some over others, not because of merit, but because he chooses to do so.  But God has ever done things this very way.  We should see it and believe it and accept it.