And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.
Judah and his brethren were waiting for an answer, and could not but be amazed to discover, instead of the gravity of a judge, the natural affection of a father or brother. I. Joseph ordered all his attendants to withdraw, Gen 45:1. The private conversations of friends are the most free.
Commenting on Genesis 45:1-15
And God sent me before you,.... This he repeats to impress the minds of his brethren with a sense of the good providence of God in bringing him to Egypt before them, to make provision for their future welfare, and to alleviate their grief, and prevent an excessive sorrow for their selling him into Egypt, when by the overruling hand of God it proved so...
Gen 45:4-7 Joseph then bade his brethren approach nearer, and said: “I am Joseph, your brother, whom he sold into Egypt. But now be not grieved nor angry with yourselves (בּעיניכם אל־חר as in Gen 31:35) that ye sold me hither; for God hath sent me before you to preserve life.” Sic enim Joseph interpretatur venditionem.
Commenting on Genesis 45:4-7