Genesis 45:1

Up to now Joseph has made himself a stranger to his brothers. He spoke roughly and dealt harshly with them, for their consciences had work to do and repentance had to come. But love's strange work is finished, and Joseph can no longer hold back from making himself known. Having exposed the guilt of their hearts, he must make known the love of his heart. Have they discovered the evil of their hearts? Then he will show them the far greater grace of his heart. It knows all their evil, and it can still rise above it in full, free forgiveness.

No stranger was allowed to witness this sacred scene. What stranger could understand or appreciate it? We are called here to watch, as it were, conviction produced by God in the presence of divine grace. And we may say that when these two meet, they settle every question with ease.

And when Jesus wants to reveal Himself to sinners, He too says, as it were, "Make everyone go out from Me!" He is the one Mediator. Before Him all pretenders must step aside... No one stood with Joseph when he revealed himself to his guilty brothers. And when the Son of God shows Himself as Saviour to guilty men, there is no need for mediators. No priest on earth and no "saint" in heaven is necessary.

Joseph must make "himself known." Nothing less will satisfy his heart; nothing less will give rest to their hearts. And this is still the way of the loving Saviour with the anxious sinner. Only one discovery will roll away the burden of guilt: that the One against whom we have sinned knows it all, and forgives it all. Knowing our own hearts, however necessary, will bring no rest to the soul. We may mourn over the past and wear ourselves out over our sins. But no discovery of evil in our hearts will bring comfort to the soul. Nor will repentance, however real. Nor will sorrow for sin, however sincere. For rest and peace Jesus must make Himself known. Then we discover with great delight that His heart is full of grace for a man who is full of sin.

Joseph had not been afflicting his brothers willingly. His whole way with them was only to lead them to this place of repentance. He meets them now not as a judge, but as a brother... His love could no longer hide itself. "Make everyone go out from me," he said, and then he made himself known to his brothers. He showed them his thoughts, how kind they were. He set their guilty conscience free and bound up their broken hearts. The channels were now clear, and grace and blessing flowed through in living, refreshing, gladdening streams.

Here, in Genesis 45, Joseph makes himself known to his brothers. And we look on it all as a living picture of that great event to come. All Israel will just as surely be saved, by a distinct act of divine grace and power, once the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (Romans 11:25-27).