Joseph and His Brothers. (Gen. 37-50)
Joseph was the favourite child of his father Jacob. Jacob gave him a coat with long sleeves. Because of this his brothers became jealous of him. Joseph also related his dreams that indicated his superiority over others. Even the Father did not agree with that, and the brothers hated him all the more.
Once Joseph’s brothers were pasturing the flocks and Jacob sent Joseph to see if everything was well with them. When the brothers saw Josepeh from a distance they planned to kill him but because of the intervention of Rueben they did not kill him but threw him into an empty well. Later they pulled him out of the well and sold to the Medianite merchants who were passing that way. The price was twenty pieces of silver. He was sold again to an Egyptian officer and found favour with him. But later he ended up in prison due to a false accusation and remained forgotten. After many years through the interpretation of Phrao’s dreams he won his favour. He was put in charge of the whole land of Egypt. He worked hard to provide food for the time of famine.
Meanwhile his brothers cheated their father. They killed a goat and soaked Joseph’s long sleeved coat with its blood. They presented it to the father and said a wild animal had killed Joseph. Jacob mourned and was inconsolable. He was determined to go to his own grave in his grief.
At this stage let us ask ourselves a few questions.
- What would have been the feelings of Joseph as he was thrown into the well, sold and resold then falsely accused and forgotten in a prison? What would have been his feelings towards his brothers who were responsible for all these sufferings?
- How the brothers would have felt seeing the father who was inconsolable and knowing their own guilt for what had happened?
Many years later when everyone was suffering due to famine Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to get food for the family. In an unexpected moment Joseph found himself in front of his brothers. The scene was reversed. Earlier Joseph was powerless while the brothers had the power to do what they wanted. But now Joseph had the power to do what he wanted while his brothers were completely vulnerable before him. Joseph opts not to revenge. However he decided not reveal his identity immediately. Joseph tests his brothers. Brothers relate their present suffering to the crime they had committed against their brother years ago. They humiliate themselves before Joseph. They call themselves his servants. Joseph feels for his brothers but he treats them harshly. He demands that Benjamin be brought at the next visit. Joseph should know how hard it would be for his father to let Benjamin go. Yet he demands and keeps Simon as a prisoner till Benjamin is brought. On their return to the father all these adds to the suffering of the father who is already grieving. Jacob has no choice. He has to let Benjamin go. In the earlier situation Rueben wanted to save Joseph but he failed. Now Judah comes forward to take responsibility to take care of Benjamin.
In Egypt Joseph meets his brother Benjamin. Yet he does not reveal his identity. He withdraws to cry alone and continues to pretend to be a stranger to his brothers. He organizes things in such a way that Benjamin is found guilty of stealing the silver cup of Jospeh. Benjamin is to be held back as punishment. But Judah pleads with Joseph. His words show that he was concerned about the father who will not live without this son. It is very different form the attitude they had earlier towards the father. Acting out of jealousy and hatred they did not mind hurting the father as long as they could get rid of Joseph. But now they are concerned about the father who favoured Benjamin. Judah is ready to become Josep’s slave in order to let Benjamin go back to his father.
However Joseph cannot continue his drama any further. He reveals his true identity in a burst of emotions.
45 1 Now Joseph could no longer control his feelings in the presence of all those standing by and he called out, “Leave my presence, everyone!” And only his brothers were with him when Joseph made himself known to them. 2 He wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard and the news spread through Pharaoh’s house.
4 Joseph said, “Come closer,” and they drew nearer. “I am Joseph your brother, yes, it’s me, the one you sold to the Egyptians. 5 Now don’t grieve and reproach yourselves for selling me, because God has sent me before you to save your lives. 6 It’s two years since famine has been in the land and there will be another five years without tilling and without harvest. 7 God has sent me ahead of you to make our race survive there and to save many of you. 8 So it was not you but God who sent me here, and made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of his household, and ruler also of all the land of Egypt. 9 Go back quickly to my father and say to him: ‘Joseph your son sends you this message: God has made me lord of all Egypt; so come down to me without delay; 10 you shall live in the land of Goshen and you shall be near me, you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and your herds, all that you have. 11 And there I will provide for you (for there will be five more years of famine) lest you and your household and all who belong to you, be in need. 12 Now you can see for yourselves, and your brother Benjamin can see that it is I myself who speak to you. 13 You will tell my father of the glory I have in Egypt and of all that you have seen. Go quickly and bring my father down here.”
14 Joseph then threw his arms around Benjamin and wept. 15 Then weeping he kissed and embraced his brothers and they began to talk with him.
Jospeh forgives his brothers. Jacob, his children and grandchildren come to live in Egypt. He tries to free his brother from their guilt by attributing everything to the plan of God but not to their evil actions. Everything goes well for them. While Joseph is free of his past, his brothers still seem to be haunted by their past. This is revealed after the death of Jacob.
50. 15 When Joseph’s brothers realized that their father was dead they said, “What if Joseph turns against us in hate because of the evil we did him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph saying, “Before he died your father told us to say this to you: 17 please forgive the crime and the sin of your brothers in doing evil to you. Forgive the crime of the servants of your father’s God.” When he was given the message, Joseph wept. 18 His brothers went and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. 19 But Joseph reassured them, “Don’t be afraid! Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to do me harm, but God intended to turn it to good in order to bring about what is happening today – the survival of many people. 21 So have no fear! I will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he touched their hearts and consoled them.
Reconciliation is finally concluded and they live happily.
- How can this tory help us to respond to our own need of reconciliation?