January 14 / Genesis 41-43:15

Genesis 41-43:15

For those of us who grew up going to Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, the story of Pharaoh’s dreams of seven fat cows followed by seven emaciated cows and of seven plump ears of grain swallowed up by seven thin ears of grain is likely to be very familiar territory. We know Joseph’s interpretation of the dream — that there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine — so well that it seems obvious, and we wonder why no one else in Pharaoh’s court could figure it out. But I bet that we are much less familiar with Joseph’s dealings with his brothers when they come to buy grain, yet that’s the part of the story that gets the most ink, and we do not even reach the end of it until tomorrow’s reading.

To understand Joseph’s actions, one need only look at what he tells them: “…that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you…” (Gen. 42:16) He knows their earlier character. He knows how they treated him, but that was over 20 years before. (Add them up: 13 years in Egypt before Joseph becomes Pharaoh’s right-hand man [Gen. 37:2, 41:46], then seven years of plenty.) Joseph needs to see what kind of men they are now. Have they changed? Or are they still scoundrels? In particular, how might they treat Benjamin, his full-blooded little brother, whom Jacob clearly now favors?

The brothers, of course, do not recognize Joseph. (How could they? Who would imagine that he would now have the authority of Pharaoh?) They talk among themselves, and Joseph overhears and gets the first clue that, perhaps, they regret their prior actions:

Then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” And Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.” They did not know that Joseph understood them…

Genesis 42:21-23a

But talk is cheap and insufficient evidence of real change, so Joseph holds Simeon hostage, demanding to see Benjamin. Further, he surreptitiously refunds their money, which is simultaneously generous and a test of their integrity.

Jacob is then faced with an incredibly difficult challenge: face starvation, or offer up his “baby”, Benjamin, his last reminder of Rachel, to the mercy of this powerful governor of Egypt. Reuben nobly tries to convince Jacob by vowing the lives of his two sons if Benjamin does not return. But that is not good enough (or Jacob is not yet hungry enough). (Gen. 42:37-38) Finally, Judah — the one whose idea it was to sell Joseph — pledges himself as surety for Benjamin, and Jacob relents. (Gen. 43:8-15)

Is Joseph satisfied? Or does he need more proof? Does he forgive his brothers? Or seek vengeance? Stay tuned.

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One more thing…

On a completely unrelated note, a young man I know publishes short essays occasionally (about once a week) that you all might find interesting. Take a look at his website at https://www.dtsheffler.com/, particularly the Notebook or even the Archive. He recently started an ongoing series, so I’d recommend going back to the start of that series (Enemies of Excellence – Intro) published 12/30/2022, and moving forward from there.

Enjoy!