Joseph and the Reckoning of His Brothers - March 16
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 72; PM Psalm 119:73-96; Gen. 42:18-28; 1 Cor. 5:9-6:8; Mark 4:1-20
Hard decisions. Have you ever been in the position of having to make a really hard choice? Maybe choosing between two people, knowing that in choosing, one of those will be left behind? The portions of Genesis 42 appointed this week walk us through a painful story of ups and downs, choices and consequences.
Jacob, son of Isaac, lives in Canaan and has twelve sons. The ten older sons abuse and torment their younger brother Joseph, selling him into slavery. Joseph becomes a powerful assistant to the Pharaoh in Egypt, and even serves as governor. Meanwhile, famine is widespread around the area – except for Egypt where there are copious amounts of grain for bread. Jacob sends all but one of his remaining sons to buy grain, keeping Benjamin at home and safe.
Joseph, now bilingual and well above the lowly state his brothers left him in, recognizes his brothers, though they do not realize in whose presence they find themselves. The men bow down to the governor. Through an interpreter who translates his words into Hebrew, Joseph demands of them, “Where do you come from?” They stutter and stammer, “From the land of Canaan to buy food.” Joseph, continuing his harsh exterior, says, “You are spies. You have come to see the nakedness of the land!” The brothers vehemently deny being spies and say that they come from twelve brothers, the youngest staying behind and the other is no more.
Joseph demands that they be tested. They must bring their youngest brother to see him – the one kept at home for safety – or else the rest will not be released. He imprisons them for three days. Then, there is an updated offer placed on the table: “If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here where you are imprisoned. The rest of you shall go and carry grain for the famine of your households, and bring your youngest brother to me. Thus your words will be verified and you shall not die.”
The ten brothers confer in their native tongue while Joseph stands waiting. They agree to Joseph’s proposal. They reflect, “Alas, we are paying the penalty for what we did to our brother; we saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this anguish has come upon us.” Reuben says, “Did I not tell you not to wrong the boy? But you would not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.” Through and through, the sons of Jacob realize that their actions are not without consequences. They accept that their pattern of abuse and bullying has been deeply destructive.
Joseph hears and understands every word exchanged. He turns away and weeps. He selects Simeon to stay as the collateral. It is not clear what else Joseph says to his nine brothers who are sent away home. What we do read is that Joseph gives orders to fill bags belonging to the sons of Jacob – fill them with grain, plus the monies that had been confiscated through their imprisonment, and extra provisions for the journey home.
Upon homecoming, the nine traveling sons of Jacob retell the events, referring to Joseph as “the lord of the land” who spoke harshly to them and charged them with being spies. The brothers plead their honesty, though when they empty their sacks, they are filled with grain and the bags of money they brought on the trip.
Did they look as if they were thieves? While the nine have survived the peril of their journey, what remains of the relationship between them and their father? Perhaps now the deceitfulness of their habits is laid bare. Can you imagine the tension at play here?
It is tragic, really. We have such a deep propensity to love and cherish one another, and yet sometimes what we do is taunt and diminish those closest to us. Those actions leave scars. Lent is a time to look at the wounds we have caused. Lent is a time to lean against God for support as we are deeply honest with ourselves and others. Lent is a time to examine where we have been and dream about where we might go, illumined by the hope granted in the resurrection of Jesus. We know now that that hope is ahead.
-- Katherine+
Questions for Reflection
God is not mentioned in this story from Genesis 42. Where do you see God in this story? Where may God be with you on days that the presence of the Divine is not something you recognize or feel?
Daily Challenge
Sit down and imagine how this story of Jacob’s sons is inviting you to live differently. Pray to God for the wisdom of sight and understanding, to know this story more deeply and live into it with God’s wisdom and faithfulness.