Genesis 45:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He expresses that his bondage has granted him strength; being sold has led him to this level of greatness; his hardships have resulted in this success; and jealousy has led to this honor. We should not only heed these words but also emulate them, forgiving those who have harmed us. Instead of holding their actions against them, we should endure all things with grace, much like the remarkable Joseph. Thus, he reassures us that he does not blame others for his situation, nor does he harbor resentment for wrongs done to him; he attributes everything to the divine arrangement of God, who has orchestrated all events to lead him to true glory.

It was not you who brought me to this place. This statement reflects Joseph's perspective rather than an absolute fact. To clarify: ‘Recognizing my circumstances as a manifestation of Divine Providence, I find solace and do not regard your actions, so I have no reason to be angry or to hold grievances against you.’ The term father in reference to Pharaoh suggests a role of an esteemed advisor and a mentor. Just as a dutiful son seeks guidance from his father, Pharaoh relied on Joseph for his decisions (Judges 17:10). Joseph articulates his position of authority to persuade his brothers and father of the advantages and significance of their relocation to Egypt (Gen. 45:9, 13).

Since you acted with intentions that did not align with the malevolent plan for which you dispatched me to a distant land, and my relocation to Egypt only fulfilled God's divine purpose of delivering both you and the Egyptians from the devastation of famine through me, I cannot claim that you were the ones who sent me to Egypt. Rather, it was God who directed my path through you. Certainly, He was not the one who instigated your wrongdoing against me, nor did He instill in you a spirit of animosity—attributing any part of your sin to Him would be sacrilege. However, He does work through the very transgressions of humanity, against their volition, to honor His Name, allowing them to serve His sacred designs.