Genesis 42
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Twenty-some years after being sold as a slave, Joseph sees his brothers again. But this time, he is "governor of the land" and they are bowing down to him (vs. 6). Joseph recognized them immediately but they didn't recognize him. He speaks harshly to them and accuses them of being spies. The men tell Joseph that they are not spies but brothers: "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." (vs. 13)
I can only speculate what was going on inside of Joseph when he heard them speak of his non-existence. His reaction is forceful. "As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. 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." (vs.15-16).
Joseph imprisons them all for three days. And something changes in him. On the third day, Joseph gives them new instructions. They are no longer in the name of Pharaoh, but because he fears God. (vs 18). Only one brother must stay "while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households." (vs 19) and the youngest brother must be brought back to Egypt.
This is an interesting point in the narrative as Joseph's anger seems to soften, he remembers God and he expresses compassion for Jacob's family. The surprise of seeing his brothers caused him to react harshly and exert his power over them. Although we don't know what went on during the days they were in prison, Joseph exhortation "Do this and you will live, for I fear God" (vs 18) shows us that he doesn't want to kill them and that he takes seriously his accountability before God. He wants them to live freely. He wants them to pass the "test". I think that Joseph is testing them to see if they have changed. Will they come back for a brother in need? or will they forsake him like they did Joseph?
Interestingly, the brothers rightly link what is happening to them with what they did to Joseph: "Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come upon us." (vs 21) This admission of guilt and Reuben's acknowledgement that they "must give an account for his blood" causes Joseph to weep. (vs 22, 24) He has Simeon bound and then sends them home with grain plus silver in their bags. The brothers are fearful when they find the money (vs. 28) and their father, Jacob, does not handle the news of Simeon being in prison and Benjamin needing to go get him out well at all (see verses 36-38).
What I take out of this passage for my life is that I don't need to be controlled by my initial emotions and reactions to stressful situations. The change that takes place in Joseph during the three days his brothers are in custody is an example for us of the reality that we can change our plan of action as we move away from our initial reactions into a place of fearing and trusting God.
Twenty-some years after being sold as a slave, Joseph sees his brothers again. But this time, he is "governor of the land" and they are bowing down to him (vs. 6). Joseph recognized them immediately but they didn't recognize him. He speaks harshly to them and accuses them of being spies. The men tell Joseph that they are not spies but brothers: "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." (vs. 13)
I can only speculate what was going on inside of Joseph when he heard them speak of his non-existence. His reaction is forceful. "As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. 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." (vs.15-16).
Joseph imprisons them all for three days. And something changes in him. On the third day, Joseph gives them new instructions. They are no longer in the name of Pharaoh, but because he fears God. (vs 18). Only one brother must stay "while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households." (vs 19) and the youngest brother must be brought back to Egypt.
This is an interesting point in the narrative as Joseph's anger seems to soften, he remembers God and he expresses compassion for Jacob's family. The surprise of seeing his brothers caused him to react harshly and exert his power over them. Although we don't know what went on during the days they were in prison, Joseph exhortation "Do this and you will live, for I fear God" (vs 18) shows us that he doesn't want to kill them and that he takes seriously his accountability before God. He wants them to live freely. He wants them to pass the "test". I think that Joseph is testing them to see if they have changed. Will they come back for a brother in need? or will they forsake him like they did Joseph?
Interestingly, the brothers rightly link what is happening to them with what they did to Joseph: "Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come upon us." (vs 21) This admission of guilt and Reuben's acknowledgement that they "must give an account for his blood" causes Joseph to weep. (vs 22, 24) He has Simeon bound and then sends them home with grain plus silver in their bags. The brothers are fearful when they find the money (vs. 28) and their father, Jacob, does not handle the news of Simeon being in prison and Benjamin needing to go get him out well at all (see verses 36-38).
What I take out of this passage for my life is that I don't need to be controlled by my initial emotions and reactions to stressful situations. The change that takes place in Joseph during the three days his brothers are in custody is an example for us of the reality that we can change our plan of action as we move away from our initial reactions into a place of fearing and trusting God.
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