November 13, 2020 (Friday)
So it's “Friday the 13th.” Some superstitious people fear the day. History.com suggest the superstition started with the “Last Supper,” where there were 13 named guests. (12 disciples and Jesus) Not to be missed but there are 13 tribes of Israel. So, let's get back to the brothers.
History continued as God willed. Seven years of abundance was matched with seven lean years. They were dreadful years and people were desperate. Only Joseph’s plan was keeping that region of the world alive. The worry was real, “When Jacob heard that grain was available in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why are you standing around looking at one another?” [Genesis 42:1 NLT]
Joseph’s 10 older brothers load up for Egypt. Jacob refused to let Benjamin go. He feared something terrible would happen. His fear was not without merit. The brothers arrive and bow down to Joseph, just like his first dream. Joseph recognizes them and remembers the dreams. “Joseph remembered the dreams he had dreamed about them, and said to them, “You are spies. You’ve come to look for the country’s weaknesses.” [Genesis 42:9 CEB]
Is this the beginning of “pay back?” I’m glad you asked! Keep reading, the answer might surprise you. Think about what kind of pain, chaos, and misery would you be capable of after a long life of slavery, false accusations, and prison? Yeah, me too.
Arguing their innocence, “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.” [Genesis 42:13] Joseph offers, “One of you must go and get your brother. I’ll keep the rest of you here in prison. Then we’ll find out whether or not your story is true.” [Genesis 42:16a NLT]
He generously tosses them into prison for three days. Someday I want to track the idea of three days through the Bible, but not today. On the third day, Joseph proposed, “If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay in prison, and the rest of you, go, take grain back to those in your households who are hungry.” [Genesis 42:19 CEB]
The brothers begin a discussion about their guilt. Reuben has the nerve to say “I told you so” (see Genesis 42:22). It’s a bit of a comedy at this point in the story, “They didn’t know that Joseph was listening to them because they were using an interpreter.” [Genesis 42:23 CEB] Might we say less or different things if we knew someone was listening? After a break where he cries, Joseph chose Simeon for prison.
Joseph has their bags filled with grain and sends them away. Adding a twist to the story, he returns their silver in the sacks. When they discovered the silver terror set in, "He said to his brothers, “My silver’s been returned. It’s right here in my sack.” Their hearts stopped. Terrified, they said to each other, “What has God done to us?” [Genesis 42:28 CEB] Maybe it was despair, other translations say “their hearts failed/sank.”
Notice they begin to ask what God is doing? I wonder if we asked that question if our actions, attitudes, and arguments would be different.
When they told Jacob, he reacted, “Jacob exclaimed, “You are robbing me of my children! Joseph is gone! Simeon is gone! And now you want to take Benjamin, too. Everything is going against me!” [Genesis 42:36 NLT]
Oh my, things are bad… very bad. Jacob faces a choice to starve or trust Benjamin to “the brothers.” What to do, what to do? Stay tuned.
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