The Portion of Grace

-Jasper.

"Five Times More"

Today I want to open up the story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 45.

If you know the story, Joseph was sold by his brothers, falsely accused, thrown in prison, forgotten. But God used all of it to put him in a place of authority in Egypt. Years later, famine hits, and his brothers come begging for food. They don’t recognize him. But he recognizes them.

Now here’s where we pause and see the picture:

*Joseph is a type of Christ.*

Rejected by his own, sold for silver, thought dead, but raised to the right hand of power. And from that place, he becomes the one who saves those who rejected him. Sound familiar?

*Benjamin is a type of Israel, the Jews.*

Benjamin was Rachel’s son, Jacob’s beloved, the one Joseph had a special claim on. In Genesis 45:22, when Joseph reveals himself, he gives Benjamin 300 pieces of silver and 5 changes of clothing. But the detail that jumps out is this: “to Benjamin he gave 5 times as much as any of the others.”

*The other brothers are a type of the Gentiles.*

They’re part of the family, but they’re not the beloved son. They’re the ones who came later, who didn’t have the same history, the same promise.

So what’s God saying here?

1. God’s heart has always been for His covenant people

Joseph didn’t forget Benjamin. Even when Benjamin didn’t know him, even when the family was fractured, Joseph’s affection was there.

Jesus says the same thing in Matthew 15:24: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” The gospel starts with the Jew. Romans 9-11 makes it clear: Israel is still beloved for the sake of the fathers. The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.

That 5-times portion isn’t favoritism in a petty sense. It’s recognition. “You are mine. You are special. You have a place at my table that no one else can fill.”

The church has sometimes forgotten this. But if you rip Israel out of the story, you rip the root out of the tree in Romans 11. We’re grafted in, not replacing.

2. Grace always exceeds what we deserve

Why 5 times? Five is the number of grace in Scripture. Grace is unmerited favor. Benjamin didn’t earn it. He was just Benjamin.

That’s how it is with Israel, and that’s how it is with us.

Deuteronomy 7:7 says, “The Lord set His love on you and chose you, not because you were more numerous than any other people, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the Lord loves you.”

We Gentiles got brought into the family through the Messiah of Israel. We didn’t earn it. We were brought near by the blood of Christ, Ephesians 2:13.

The 300 pieces of silver and 5 changes of clothing are extravagant. They’re not survival rations. They’re “welcome home” gifts. That’s how Jesus treats us. Not just forgiveness, but sonship, inheritance, a seat at the table.

3. Reconciliation means a shared table

Look at verse 15: “And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them.” Joseph doesn’t just send food. He restores relationship.

The goal of God’s plan isn’t two separate tables, one for Jew and one for Gentile. Ephesians 2:14 says Christ has made us both one and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility.

The special portion to Benjamin doesn’t create distance. It creates the basis for the family to be reconciled. When the brothers see how Joseph treats Benjamin, they see Joseph’s heart. And they’re drawn in.

That’s what Jesus is doing today. He’s showing Israel, “You are still beloved.” And He’s saying to the Gentiles, “You’re included in that love.”

*So what does this mean for us?*

If you’re from a Jewish background, Hear this. Your Messiah hasn’t forgotten you. The 5-times portion is still on the table. Romans 11:23 says “God is able to graft them in again.” Don’t think Jesus doesn’t want you.

If you’re a Gentile believer: Don’t get arrogant. Romans 11:18 says “you do not support the root, but the root supports you.” The gifts and calling of Israel are part of why you have a Bible, a Messiah, a covenant. Honor that. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, Psalm 122:6.

And for all of us: Look at the table. Jesus, our Joseph, has made a place for you. Not because you earned it. Because He chose you. And He’s still in the business of giving 5 times more than we deserve.

The brothers came expecting judgment. They got a kiss and a feast.

That’s the gospel.

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank You for being a God who remembers, who restores, and who gives more than we deserve. Open our eyes to see Your heart for all Your people. Help us to be a church that loves what You love and honors the root from which we’ve been grafted. In Jesus’ name, Amen.