“¹⁶Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” So it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well. ¹⁷And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and depart; go to the land of Canaan. ¹⁸Bring your father and your households and come to me; I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land. ¹⁹Now you are commanded – do this: Take carts out of the land of Egypt for your little ones and your wives; bring your father and come. ²⁰Also do not be concerned about your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’ ”

– Genesis 45:16-20 (NKJV)

“Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” So it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well. (Notice how effectively – whether by the deliberate application of the wisdom of Joseph or the special providence of the Lord – the brothers, and consequently the Hebrew people they represent, have by no means been put to shame nor their reputations sullied before the extended Egyptian kingdom. It appears that neither Simeon’s imprisonment, any misconceptions surrounding the cup found- or money returned to-, their sacks, nor the grave sin of their youth against Joseph, has become widespread knowledge. No, it was but Joseph’s trusted right-hand-man, his close confidante and protégé – the steward of his house, who was discreetly privy to any such information. As a result, the news of Joseph’s estranged family reconnecting with him under whatever circumstances, is a happy tiding received by all in good faith and cause simply for celebration on behalf of their beloved ruler.) And Pharaoh said to Joseph, (what a precious little affirmation of the fact that the high ruler presumed god-like by the Egyptian people is still so fond of our Joseph: that they are yet so intimately acquainted as friends and evidently speak often as is seen by the freedom of speech enjoyed in each other’s presence; proving that not only does the Pharaoh by no means regret his promoting Joseph to the most prominent position in all of Egypt, but is all the more glad for doing so – we detect not the tiniest flicker of jealousy or regret but rather sincere humility, the joy of giving honour where honour is due and above all, evidence of a deep and true brotherly love for Joseph; what a privilege to behold the actions of this great gentile man – who could have so easily been given over to pride – allowing himself to be so used and changed by Almighty God for the sake of His People) “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals (i.e. be sure to take with you ample supplies for the immediate benefit of your extended family back home – yet another testament to Pharaoh’s character, for in a gesture expressing genuine empathy he considers the needs of people far away and unknown to himself personally, purely on the merit of their being the kin of his beloved and revered Joseph) and depart; go to the land of Canaan. (How lovely also to hear the name of what will one day become a true Beacon of Hope for the Hebrew People, namely The Promised Land, already honoured here in the words of this great man in his recognising and knowing its name ☺.)  Bring your father and your households and come to me; (we recognise the harmony of the spirits of two powerful leaders led by the same God, The One True God, in that Pharaoh also recognises the importance of retrieving – first and foremost – the most important member of the family, not only to Joseph personally, but to the True Children of God for generations to come; the very Patriarch of the Faith through whom The Promise comes: Jacob, or more appropriately, Israel) I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land. (Truly, truly how remarkably is this man Pharaoh – the once sovereign ruler of a once exclusively pagan kingdom – used of God for the exceeding and abundant blessing and prosperity of Joseph; first through rapid promotion throughout all ranks within said kingdom and thereafter in every which way imaginable for both him and his loved ones in a manner that continues to grow exponentially. Such abundance is highlighted all the more starkly against the backdrop of the global and widespread famine that plagues the earth during this point in time.) Now you are commanded — do this: Take carts out of the land of Egypt for your little ones (how precious! what a kindly and compassionate ruler moved by such empathy to think of every and all practical minutiae for even “the least of these”) and your wives; bring your father (again notice the urgency in Pharaoh’s spirit to preserve the seed of true Saving Faith upon the earth – almost undoubtedly unbeknownst even to his own conscious mind – for truly, truly: “the king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes ” – Proverbs 21:1) and come. (He bids them: “come”, again speaking in a manner strangely reminiscent of our Lord and in so doing carrying the whisper of The Promise also for the gentiles – at this point a mystery yet so deeply concealed and hidden – upon his breath.) Also do not be concerned about your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’ “ (Pharaoh is effectively communicating unto them not to waste time packing- or worse still, slow down the journey- , by traipsing along many an unnecessary material possession that can easily be replaced by its vastly superior equal in Egypt. Notice also the use of the phrase: “is yours “ [also see 1 Corinthians 3:21-23] prophetically indicating not that they might merely partake thereof at his discretion, but that it has effectively been set apart [by the Lord Himself] for their exclusive use: it is their portion, for truly truly “. . . the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous” – Proverbs 13:22.)