Genesis 45:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Desiring to uplift them, he invites, "Come to me. Do not feel estranged; do not believe that your actions have brought this upon me solely by your own will. It was not merely your wickedness at play, but rather the divine wisdom and unfathomable compassion of God. This was orchestrated so that I could, in this moment, provide you and all of this land with everything needed for your nourishment.

Joseph worried that if he revealed to his brothers, “I am the one you sold into slavery,” the Egyptians outside the door would overhear and look down upon them. Thus, he invited them closer, and when they approached, he continued his discourse in a hushed tone. When everyone gathered, Joseph raised his voice, weeping, and declared in fluent Hebrew, “I am Joseph, your brother. I was not devoured by a beast as you claim; rather, I was stripped of my garments by you and cast into a pit. I was sold to the Ishmaelites, even as I clung to your knees and feet; yet none showed me compassion in my suffering, but you treated me like a wild animal. However, do not let fear or despair take hold of you, my brothers; instead, share in my joy, for I reign. Just as you previously told our father that I had been killed by a beast on the mountains...”

Approach Me, for I have approached you by becoming one with your nature through the incarnation. Please do not turn away from Him who shares in your humanity, even if you do not recognize the Source of your salvation.

Draw close to me. It is possible that shame kept the brothers from approaching Joseph at the first words, which may have caused them to fall to their knees before him; alternatively, he might have been reluctant to speak the painful truth of their wrongdoing aloud. I am Joseph, your brother. He reiterates this to expedite the resolution of their bewilderment, attaching the identity of his brother while foreshadowing their despair.

“Draw near to me.” He invites the brothers, who are perplexed and standing at a respectful distance, to approach Him for open and brotherly dialogue.