The Reunion
Genesis 43:16-34
Joseph gets what he wants, and it isn’t revenge.
Photo by Yousef Salhamoud on Unsplash
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.” The man did as Joseph said, and brought the men to Joseph’s house. Now the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph’s house, and they said, “It is because of the money, replaced in our sacks the first time, that we have been brought in, so that he may have an opportunity to fall upon us, to make slaves of us and take our donkeys.” So they went up to the steward of Joseph’s house and spoke with him at the entrance to the house. They said, “Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food; and when we came to the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each one’s money in the top of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it back with us. Moreover we have brought down with us additional money to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.” He replied, “Rest assured, do not be afraid; your God and the God of your father must have put treasure in your sacks for you; I received your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. When the steward had brought the men into Joseph’s house, and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder, they made the present ready for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they had heard that they would dine there. When Joseph came home, they brought him the present that they had carried into the house, and bowed to the ground before him. He inquired about their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and did obeisance. Then he looked up and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!” With that, Joseph hurried out, because he was overcome with affection for his brother, and he was about to weep. So he went into a private room and wept there. Then he washed his face and came out; and controlling himself he said, “Serve the meal.” They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. When they were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, the men looked at one another in amazement. Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him. - Genesis 43:16-34
What did Joseph want from his brothers?
The first thing that comes to mind is revenge, but Joseph could have done that early on. Instead, he wants something else.
When he told them about his dreams, all of them, including his father, mocked him. How dare he put himself above all of them, even their father?
Now we can argue that Joseph shouldn’t have told them about his dreams, but then there would be no story.
They wouldn’t have tried to kill Joseph, and he wouldn’t have wound up in Egypt where he became powerful and wealthy.
Respect is what he wanted from his brothers.
Did he get that?
I would argue that he didn’t. Yes, they were afraid of him, thinking he was an Egyptian ruler with power of them. He was, but he was also their brother.
They wouldn’t have recognized this bald, clean-shaven bronze man as a Hebrew, nevertheless a brother.
So, what Joseph received from them was fear.
Now, the story doesn’t end here, so there is still time for true redemption and forgiveness, but will that happen?
I love the story of Joseph, because he is resourceful and clever. He is also a bit naive. He shouldn’t have told his father and brothers his dreams. He shouldn’t have trusted Potiphar’s wife. But he grew wiser over the years, and that is the most admirable thing about him.
Yet, he remained like his father, a bit of a trickster, giving his brothers grief and making them suffer in fear.
That was payback, and that is one of the things that endears Jospeh to us. He gets even, in a way.
So, what is the lesson here?
Theologians say it is Joseph trusting God, but I am not so sure. What do you think?