Come, Holy Spirit. When I look into the eyes of my friends on the banner on this page, I realize how critically important it is that I not get this wrong. There are lives and souls at stake here. Please help me to never insert my ego here, or my knowledge, but to rely wholly on you and your knowledge and wisdom. NIV Genesis 42 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” 2 He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.” 3 Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4 But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him. 5 So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain, for there was famine in the land of Canaan also. 6 Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. 7 As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.” 8 Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. 9 Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.” 10 “No, my lord,” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food. 11 We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies.” 12 “No!” he said to them. “You have come to see where our land is unprotected.” 13 But they replied, “Your servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.” 14 Joseph said to them, “It is just as I told you: You are spies! 15 And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. 16 Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!” 17 And he put them all in custody for three days. The temptation to treat his brothers harshly is strong here. Joseph has them in his hands, and he has the power to crush them. If you are a fan of fantasy, this is the moment when Frodo offers the ring to Galadriel, and she has to face the temptation of power, which she knows would destroy her. And after a moment of terrible temptation, she decides to forego the power, even though she knows it means she must diminish and leave her kingdom. In this moment, Joseph struggles with the temptations of his power. As he struggles, hes dealing with some questions. Where is his little brother? Where is his father? Are they still living? Have these ten sons of Leah, Bilhah and Zilpah killed their father, and Josephs little brother? They had no hesitation in selling him into slavery. What has transpired in the years he has been gone? Are they humbled and changed? Are they still full of pride and anger? As he questions them, can he be sure that they are answering truthfully? As the man in charge of Egypt, hes also responsible for the welfare of Egypt and he needs to be sure of his brothers intentions. Egypt is a fairly invulnerable country, at least at this point in history. It is surrounded by trackless desert on both sides. Its only vulnerability is the Nile, for everywhere else, an army would die of thirst before it reached Egypt. To the south, the Nile is guarded by cataracts that are impassable by boat. Through the Nile delta or along the coast from Israel are its only vulnerabilities, which is exactly from whence his brothers have come. Now, Joseph knows that his family is small compared to Egypt. He probably doesnt really believe that his brothers are spies, but hes playing it up to stall for time. He puts them in prison for three days, probably to humble them while he decides on a course of action, prays over it, and waits for Gods answer. The text doesnt say, but we know Joseph has been walking closely with God all his life. Now, why would he recognize his brothers, and they not recognize him? Well remember that a Hebrew man would have a beard. An Egyptian man shaved himself from head to toe. Joseph doesnt have a hair on his body anywhere, and theyve never seen him like that, at least not since he was born. Hes also in high office, and wearing the trappings of his office. Theyve sold him into slavery, and expect that he is a slave or dead. They arent looking for him here. Now, notice that he gives them an out: bring your youngest brother, or suffer the consequences. This is our clue that Joseph is looking to the welfare of Benjamin, not necessarily looking to punish his older brothers. He is merely putting the fear of God in them that they might obey him and bring Benjamin.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:56:18 +0000
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