Separation Ending in Union
W. Hay Aitken, M. A. Genesis 45:4 And Joseph said to his brothers, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother… It was by a strange and seemingly circuitous route that these brethren of Joseph were brought near to him. Between Joseph and his brethren there was an immeasurable distance — all the difference between a nature given over to God and one abandoned to the force of evil passion. We may see in this narrative a type of the ways and means God still employs for bringing the wandering brothers of Joseph's great Antitype near to Him. I. In order that the brothers may be really drawn near to Joseph, they have first to be separated from him by their own sin. II. The next step towards bringing them near is their own want. III. When they get into Joseph's presence they are suddenly subjected to the most unlooked-for and crushing trials. IV. They are smitten to the heart with the recollection of bygone sins; these are brought to their remembrance as sins against their brother. V. They were alone with Joseph when he made himself known to them. (W. Hay Aitken, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. WEB: Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." They came near. "He said, I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.