“When Joseph saw his brothers he recognized them, but he disguised himself to them…. But Joseph had recognized his brothers, although they did not recognize him.” “So they said, ‘An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and what is more, he even drew the water for us and watered the flock'” (Gen 42:7-8; Exod 2:19).

Joseph and Moses have a lot in common. Both men were chosen by God at a very young age to be the deliverers of their people (Gen 37:5; Exod 2:1-2); both men were rejected at first by their own people (Gen 37:8; Exod 2:14). Perhaps most shocking of all – both men were mistaken for Egyptians (Gen 42:7-8; Exod 2:19). For many years I was convinced that Jesus was the first Catholic. He most certainly didn’t look Jewish. According to all the pictures I had ever seen of him, he had blond hair (long blond hair) and piercing blue eyes. I vividly recall the two biggest shocks of my life. First: Jesus is Jewish! No one had ever told me. Second: Jesus is in my side of the Bible! There he was, looking back at me from Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, Zechariah 12! One day, dear friends, my own personal discovery will become the revelation of the entire nation! And what a blessed day of tears and rejoicing that will be!

“Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried, ‘Have everyone go out from me.’ So there was no man with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. He wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard of it. Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph!'” (Gen 45:1-3).