Genesis 45:14
Then Joseph threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept as they embraced.
Sermons
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Genesis 45:14
Tears of LoveJ. Vaughan, M. A.Genesis 45:14
The First Embrace for BenjaminA. M. Symington, D. D.Genesis 45:14
Darkness Turned into LightR.A. Redford Genesis 45:1-15














Now therefore be not grieved, &c.

I. THE END IS GOODNESS AND MERCY.

1. To preserve life.

2. To set the seed of the better society in the midst of the corruptions and imperfections of the old.

3. To prepare the way for the higher revelations of the future.

II. GOD'S METHOD OF INSTRUMENTALITIES HIS GLORY.

1. The history of his people, their persecutions, their apparent humiliations, their marvelous victories.

2. The transformation of men, whereby enemies are made friends, &c.

3. The biographies of distinguished servants of God illustrate his grace in bestowing fitness for appointed work.

III. MYSTERIES LOOKED AT FROM A HIGHER POINT OF VIEW BECOME REVELATIONS.

1. Time a great revealer. Wait for the Lord.

2. The narrow circle of a family history taken up into the higher sphere of Divine purposes concerning nations and humanity itself.

3. Ultimate vindication of the spiritual men and spiritual principles as against the merely earthly and selfish aims of individuals or communities. - R.

And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.
This incident is the most unquestionable instance in the Bible of tears of love. No other feeling but love made Joseph weep.

I. Tears of love are true evidences — and evidences which can scarcely speak falsely.

II. Tears have much of the nature of sacrifice in them.

III. Though there are no tears in heaven, yet loving tears on earth come nearer than anything else in the world to the alleluias of the saints, for they are the outbursts of an irrepressible emotion.

IV. Tears of kindness act back again, and make the kindness from which they spring. In order to have the heart soft enough for tears —

(1)You must lead a pure life;

(2)You must feel that you are loved;

(3)You must be subdued;

(4)You must help yourself by action;

(5)You must have pity.

(J. Vaughan, M. A.)

1. Grace forbids not natural working of affection in its measure.

2. Mutual workings of hearts in brethren is but natural (ver. 14).

3. Sincere kisses and tears of injured brethren to offenders are remarkable.

4. Brotherly communion may be freely had, when grace had put away all offences, and accepted offenders (ver. 15).

(G. Hughes, B. D.)

There was an instinctive delicacy in selecting that one for his first embraces who was best able to return them freely. It gave the others time. Not that he thought of that and planned it; but the instincts of a good heart are very wise. Benjamin could weep tears of unmingled joy, for he had love only to accept — not forgiveness as well. One looks eagerly through the story to find some word telling that the others wept, the ten men who were over forty years of age, the sinners convicted, humbled, pardoned. Such a word would be very welcome; but I do not find it. We have to be content to take another lesson in the mystery of restoring love — that it is easier for God to forgive us than for us to forgive ourselves; that the part of Christ's work which most proves the omnipotence of His grace, is when He persuades us to believe that He has forgiven us. That once believed by the heart, tears flow fast. There is only One who can so look on us that we shall go forth and weep bitterly. Leaving Benjamin after a time, Joseph went from one to another of his brethren, kissing them and weeping on them. I see him beginning with Reuben and Simeon, ending with Judah. The appeal, if one may translate so tender an utterance of the heart into any words, meant this, "I love and forgive you: love me and trust me, trust me and love in return." "And after that his brethren talked with him." The struggle had been a hard one, but love had conquered. It matters little what they talked about — the wonders of Egypt, the storehouses, the capabilities of Goshen, Asenath and Manasseh and Ephraim, the state of the flocks at home, the children of each, their father, the dreams; the great thing was that they talked at all. It was not now as it had been at the banquet yesterday; restraint and stratagem had gone for ever; brother talked to brother, heart to heart.

(A. M. Symington, D. D.)

People
Benjamin, Egyptians, Jacob, Joseph, Pharaoh
Places
Canaan, Egypt, Goshen
Topics
Arms, Benjamin, Benjamin's, Brother, Embraced, Falleth, Fell, Joseph's, Neck, Weepeth, Weeping, Wept
Outline
1. Joseph makes himself known to his brothers.
5. He comforts them in God's providence.
9. He sends for his father.
16. Pharaoh confirms it.
21. Joseph furnishes then for their journey.
25. Jacob is revived with the news.

Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 45:14

     5126   arm

Genesis 45:5-15

     8428   example

Genesis 45:14-15

     5198   weeping
     8298   love, for one another
     8300   love, and the world

Library
Sermon
"And God has thus sent me before you to prepare for you a permanence on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance."--Genesis xlv., v. 7. In a time of effort, suffering and grief such as this country has never before known, it is well that we should have frequent occasions for a review of the position in which we stand for a strengthening of our sinews to continue the struggle in the spirit of the high and noble resolve which induced our participation in it. This week-end will be a
B. N. Michelson—No. 4, Intersession

Jacob and Doubting Souls --A Parallel
"And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die."--Genesis 45:28. I THINK THAT THE PATRIARCH JACOB may well serve as the type and emblem of a doubting soul, one who has been told the good news of salvation, the gospel of God's grace, but who cannot bring his mind to believe it. Let us think for a few minutes of old Jacob. First of all, he was a man who was very ready to believe evil tidings. When his sons held up before him a coat dipped in the blood
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 42: 1896

Jesus and his Brethren
"Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 43: 1897

Gifts Received for the Rebellious
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. W hen Joseph exchanged a prison for the chief honour and government of Egypt, the advantage of his exaltation was felt by those who little deserved it (Genesis 45:4, 5) . His brethren hated him, and had conspired to kill him. And though he was preserved from death, they were permitted to sell him for a bond-servant. He owed his servitude,
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Letter xv (Circa A. D. 1129) to Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin
To Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin He praises the fatherly gentleness of Alvisus towards Godwin. He excuses himself, and asks pardon for having admitted him. To Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin. [18] 1. May God render to you the same mercy which you have shown towards your holy son Godwin. I know that at the news of his death you showed yourself unmindful of old complaints, and remembering only your friendship for him, behaved with kindness, not resentment, and putting aside the character of judge, showed yourself
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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