But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them… the spirit of their father Jacob revived. Genesis 45:27
What turned Jacob around? How did he make the journey from doubt to faith, from a numb heart to a burning heart?
“All the words of Joseph” (45:27). Jacob needed more than the headline. He needed a fuller explanation. “All the words of Joseph” includes everything that the brothers told him (from verses 4 to 20)—the whole amazing story of God’s kindness and grace.
It included verse 4: “I am… Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.” The brothers told that to Jacob, which means that at last they made a full confession to the old man.
It included verse 9: “God has made me lord of all Egypt.” The brothers told Jacob the amazing story of how Joseph, the dearly loved son, had gone from the lowest point to the highest place.
It included verse 5: “God sent me before you to preserve life.” The brothers told Jacob how God, in His mercy, had orchestrated all these events so that the line of Jacob, through whom God would bring blessing to the world, would not be snuffed out.
It included verse 20: “Have no concern for your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.” Don’t worry about what you are leaving behind. You are leaving a place of famine and you are going to a place of plenty. You are going to see the dearly loved son!
And here is the best part of the good news—the great invitation of verse 9: “Come down to me; do not tarry.” Your exalted son loves you and wants you to be near him! It would have taken some time to tell the whole story, but Jacob needed to hear it all.
Do you remember hearing some good news, but you had trouble believing it at first?
