The question came up last night in class, “Why does Joseph torture his brothers a bit when they come before him in Egypt?” OK, they deserved it and more; they had sold Joseph into slavery and tricked his father into believing he was dead. But I had suggested that (unlike the other Patriarchs and most Bible characters) we have no story of Joseph’s flaws. If that is true, why does he seem to enjoy tormenting his brothers when the worm turns? He accuses them of being spies. He keeps Simeon in prison (ensuring their return with Benjamin). He accuses them of stealing his special cup. He is going to eventually forgive them (for selling him into slavery), so why trifle with them and let them suffer?
- Is he PUNISHING them? He certainly has the power as second in command of Egypt to do just that. And that is what the brothers assume before they even know he is Joseph. Rueben says, “Now we must give an accounting for his blood” (Gen 42:22). If Joseph really is being vindictive here, he really isn’t very good at it. He keeps breaking down into tears in the middle of his plot! (See Gen 42:22, 43:30, 45:2, 45:14-15).
- Is he TESTING them? That is Joseph’s explanation to the brothers, “And this is how you will be tested…” (Gen 42:15). Perhaps Joseph is using this process to see what kind of men his brothers have become. After all, they weren’t such good men they last time he saw them as the slave traders were carrying him away. Maybe he wants to see, while he is undercover, what kind of people his brothers have grown into over the years.
Joseph isn’t being cold and calculated in his response here. He doesn’t know exactly what to do. He is torn between love and justice, and that is why he’s emotional and keeps breaking out in tears. Joseph’s scheme is simply to give himself enough time and space so that love can win out in the end! And that is exactly what happens.
Maybe we need to remember this story they next time we must respond to a spouse who is treating us unjustly or a boss who is being a jerk or a friend who has been insensitive. We can’t always say the right thing at the right moment. In fact, sometimes when we say anything at all in the middle of a stressful situation, it is guaranteed that it will be the wrong thing! Sometimes the very best thing that we can do is act graciously while we give ourselves enough space for grace to win out
10 comments:
I kind of thought that there was still some trust issues with Joeseph towards his brothers. I think you are correct in him wanting to find out what type of men they were. His hostage taking and accusation strategy may have been some mis-giuided attempt to ensure they brought back his father and brother. He may have thought that if he punished them or rewarded them openly, letting them know who he would from the start, they would have left, not told their father a thing, attempting to continue the secret of what they done to Jacob's prescious son. Afterall, their actions last time would suggest a more sinister path for them.
(was) from the start?) Sinister had been their nature, no doubt about that (cruel they were, yes very cruel and so jealous of their brother). They plotted his death while profiting from his being handed over to those who he was handed over to for his education and in the end he was the one who profited from that terrible act. How strange and mysteries that the very act that the evil ones committed, lifted the one they sought to destroy above them and fulfilled the very prophecy that they had scoffed at. Great insight Clifford, I am impressed, you really put some thought into that one!
Sorry, about all the mess and noise, will but forth every effort too see to it that it does not happen again, of that you can be sure. Once again, “I am sorry”
I always saw Joseph as hoping they recognize him at first, then "buying some time" while he decides which of the many options to choose. Somewhere in the mix, while the public opinion grew, he probably wanted to avoid accusations of nepotism. Same, I don't understand what you are apologizing for.
Those who saw the mess and heard the noise that I made know what I am talking about and my apologies are directed towards them. I do not want to sound rude johnny but I don't know you and you don't need to concern yourself with the apologies that were addressed toward Tuck his family and friends who have all been very kind patient and longsuffering with me as I struggled to find a footing and nearly fell making quite a terrible mess. I have been upset for a long time, I can not and do not wish to forget. As without a complete knowledge and understanding of past history it is possible that it will repeat itself as there will be no foreknowledge to prevent it from happening again
Tuck, I have given this some thought, sometimes we must, ‘speak up against wrong with conviction’ (this will likely make the wrong doers target us) if we seek righteousness we will live faithfully and we will find justice in love. I understand we can’t always say the right thing and I know as well as anyone ‘when I am about to say something in the middle of a stressful situation that is guaranteed to be the wrong thing, it is time to be silent and pray and give thanks for the grace that will win, being ready to give an answer to any who asks. One lesson I brought away from the bible story as you taught it, is this, 'We must be careful that our display of love and affection does not bring heartache on the one we favor.' Because some get very hateful and plot to destroy the one who gets the favor (because they want what that person has but they will never have it and so they continue in their futile selfish attempts to lift themselves up by destroying what they do not understand and so it goes with that type of jealousy (it is a most destructive and hurtful thing) there is a love that always finds a way even in the darkest of days it brings us back to Him our Lord and master.
I like your comments, Tuck, and have felt a need to discuss 'grace' and speaking up. I will try to write in shorter sentences. I will then attempt to tie them together openly instead of only in my own mind.
Grace was given to us all. That forgiveness is continual. The price of that forgiveness is high. One prime example of a high price to pay is Jesus dying on the cross. The people who know and love us are (in a small way) dying on a cross (sometimes continually). We need to keep their sacrifices in mind. When it is kept in mind, there is no sense in sinning that grace may abound. Joseph must have been struggling with his suffering as he remembered what they had done to him.
I now write about speaking up. If righteousness is our goal, then speaking up will be the fruit of the spirit. The Holy Spirit of Love will find the right words to say. All we have to do is not get in the way/grieve the Holy Spirit. Joseph may have been doing this while considering what to do.
Write on johnny, write on, I for one will sit back and listen for a while.
Okay. The conclusion to the article could have been the whole article IMO. Speculation as to what Joseph was thinking at the time can at best be a philosophical discussion. God decided not to write about/stress that in the story. Don't get mew wrong; I like philosophical discussions. In conclusion, in order to be clear, my perspective is that Joseph DID have difficulties and was dealing with past issues, internally. That matches many of the other comments. I don't know much more I can say about it same.
I do not want to get off track here and I am not trying to change the subject but I must tell you all something very important!
That price it has been paid once and for all we are not to kill again the innocent one who made that sacrifice. (Sacrifice means to give up something of great value to obtain something of lesser value.)and
That is what God did. . . he gave something of great value and we are to recognize that. He did not send his child to die for nothing! Is it for us, so that we could continue in sin. No! he sent that perfect sacrifice, the innocent one who has saved and continually saves those who obey. Those who follow him are the ones he loved before they were yet conceived in their fleshly form. Who will make that decision who will make that choice, who will we turn to in our time of need and who will we see? (who knew you before you were yet formed in your mothers womb? And who’s shadow was cast before him?). Given by He who has paid the price. It is your salvation and He is The Only Way. The one who knocks at the door of your heart and will enter in having fellowship with thee. It is life itself! It was a great gift that was brought down from heaven. It is the Holy unleavened bread of life, the holy Son of God, foretold, who was the perfect sacrifice once and for all. Let us count the cost as we take up our cross and follow Him, the lamb of God. Let us fight the good fight and run the race to win. Soon we will enter into his rest leaving all corruption and heartache behind. We will as we live faithfully sing His praises and fellowship in His perfect light, because of his grace and mercy it is possible. The way it is narrow and few there are who will find it and few there be who will follow but what a faithful bunch they are. Yes, there are difficulties ahead but make no mistake about this; there has been a way provided to escape every sin every pitfall and stand holy and victorious with the author of life, who has already secured the victory for all, who will claim the gift and obey as you answer his call, be his spotless adopted child. It is through His only begotten son that you may enter in and be washed by his sacrifice. Arise and walk with Him all the days of your life and you will pillow your head in that knowledge, knowing that one day not so far away you will stand before him and receive your reward. Amen
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