Joseph’s Tears

This expert summary draws from a prophetic message delivered by Bishop T.D. Jakes, interpreting Genesis 45:15–28 to illustrate the concept of reaping the harvest of faithfulness after enduring suffering. The analysis focuses on Joseph’s unshakeable character, his choice of reconciliation over revenge, and the divine purpose woven through his dysfunctional family.

I. The Harvest of Faithfulness: Triumph After Trauma

The sources assert that this specific segment of Joseph’s life, which is “seldom discussed,” represents the harvest of faithfulness that followed years of intense suffering. The narrative shifts from focusing on Joseph’s abuse and abandonment to celebrating his ultimate success.

Destiny Fulfilled: Despite a rough start and a ragged middle, everything God promised Joseph ultimately came to pass. God often takes people “around about way” to get to their destination, but they will indeed get there.

The End of Suffering: The teaching emphasizes that Joseph not only survived his ordeal but thrived, with his latter days being greater than his former days. He became the Prince of Egypt—a Hebrew boy raised up outside of his own people, demonstrating that God can place individuals in unexpected elements where their gifts can be utilized and seen.

The Cost of Notoriety: While the trauma of suffering ends, the emotional impact (“trauma”) can “stay a while”. Joseph endured being thrown in the pit, being naked, hungry, alone, and afraid, leaving him deeply traumatized.

II. Joseph’s Character: The Power of Better Angels

The core of the message lies in Joseph’s magnanimous capacity and voluminous ability to choose mercy and love over revenge when confronted by his betrayers.

The Test of Character: The enemies and haters Joseph attracted included his own brethren—a fact that made their betrayal particularly painful. When they returned desperate, starving due to famine, and entirely dependent on him, Joseph faced a critical choice: allow the evil in him to rise up and seek revenge, or allow his “better angels” to rise up and respond correctly.

• Vindictive Power Refused: Joseph had the power, authority, and advantage to be vindictive, seek revenge, annihilate his brothers, or cut off their food supply and watch them die.
• The Choice of Good: Joseph demonstrated that anyone can be good to people who are good to them, but the true challenge of life is to be good to someone to whom you owe no kind of good. God’s plan depended on Joseph finding these better angels within himself.

The Source of Strength: The phrase “better angels,” popularized by Abraham Lincoln, implies that within the worst of a person, there is a better part that can rise up to navigate turbulence. This internal battle is reflected in the Apostle Paul’s struggle: “when I would do good, evil is present with me”. Joseph’s victory was in allowing the best part of himself to lead him, not the worst.

III. The Meaning of Joseph’s Tears

Joseph’s emotional response upon seeing his brothers—weeping and kissing them—is central to understanding his victory. This display of emotion is notable because Joseph did not cry during his many years of suffering:

• He did not cry when thrown in the pit or stripped of his coat.
• He did not cry when sold into captivity or separated from his father’s love.
• He did not cry when falsely arrested and jailed after Potiphar’s wife lied on him.

The Tears of Fulfillment: Joseph’s tears were not tears of sorrow, but happy tears because he saw the fulfillment of the dream he had when he was a boy. The ultimate fulfillment was tied to his family. The scene he witnessed—his brothers bowing before him as the Prince of Egypt—was the very scene that started the whole fight, proving that God’s word had come to pass despite the opposition.

A Famine for Family: Joseph’s brothers were suffering a famine for food, but Joseph had been in a famine for family. The tears flowed because his love was stronger than his memory.

IV. The Power of Stubborn, Tenacious Love

Joseph’s ability to forgive and reconcile stemmed from a unique type of love that God valued and utilized.

Love Over Memory: Joseph’s emotional honesty meant acknowledging that his brothers had done what they did intentionally for evil, but his love was so stubborn, tenacious, and relentless that it superseded his common sense and memory of their betrayal.

God’s Trust in Capacity: God chose Joseph because He could not trust any of the other brothers to have the radical kind of love required to look beyond what was done to them. God needed a person who would love anyhow, even when mistreated, so that His purpose and will could be worked out. God trusted Joseph with power because his heart was bigger than his head.

Love Survives the Fall: Love never fails, even if it is “blooded, bruised,” or requires stitches. Joseph’s love survived the fall into the pit. This stubborn love is what God loves, even if the person hates it in themselves, and it is the basis of God’s favor.