Genesis 42

Bible Passage:  Genesis 42

In today’s episode, Joseph finally met his ten brothers again, although without their knowledge. It must have been at least 22 years now (Genesis 37:2; Genesis 41:46; Genesis 41:53; Genesis 45:6) since the traumatic incident happened for Joseph when he was sold by his brothers to an unknown land. Perhaps we can really say that time does heal all wounds eventually. But I feel that without God throughout this time of healing, it is possible that some grudges are bore for a lifetime.

Forgive and forget?

I was looking through the story of Joseph thus far, trying to find times when he might have showed some evidence of bearing a grudge against his brothers.

“For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews….” (Genesis 40:15)

Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.  And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.” (Genesis 41:51-52)

Not much, but it does seem to suggest that after all these years, it is still deep down inside Joseph’s heart that he remembered what was done to him, and even to the extent of naming his children after these life events. I mean, if he has forgotten, he would not have done that right? There are much nicer names you can give to a child…..

However, we saw how he reacted towards his brothers when they came to Egypt asking for food; with his power and authority, he could have taken revenge on his brothers then, but he did not abuse his authority. Yes, he tested them, but that was probably because he was not sure if they have been repentant since the incident. He wanted to know if they had truly changed for the better, and probably he wanted to see his younger brother again.

I really wondered how Joseph felt when he first laid his eyes on his brothers after so many years and about the thoughts that ran through his mind. The Bible records that he remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them (Genesis 42:9). What did he exactly remember? How it was coming true that he would be lord over them? Or how they had been jealous of him to the extent of selling him away?

The story of Joseph reminded me of what a preacher had once encouraged me when I myself had met with a life event which I thought I did not deserve. I did not think that I could ever forget about the wrong or the hurt dealt to me. But the preacher told me that Joseph never did forget about the incident. (Look, he named his children as such. And when he saw his brothers, he remembered about the dreams which had contributed to the jealousy of his brothers.)

He said that although we may never forget about the incident (and in most cases, we can never), but the incident no longer bear the emotional aspect with it. Time and God can dilute the emotional aspect, such that we can look back and reflect upon it without the burden of the emotions bearing on our souls.

And that was precisely what happened to Joseph. I do not believe that he had not once felt the pain and sorrows of being sold by his brothers; he must have! He was only human, like you and me. But with time, and with his focus on God (although his children’s name showed how he had not forget, yet they showed even more how God was central in his life), that hurt and pain gradually passed. I believe also that, at some times of his life while still in Potiphar’s house or in the prison, he must have wondered what might the will of God be in all of these, but he stood still and waited on the Lord. And eventually, he understood the will of God and submitted to it.

He did not forget about what happened, but he did forgive his brothers. The incident was no longer painful, once he saw the bigger picture with God in it (Genesis 45:5-8).

And what struck me most was the fact that Joseph wept (Genesis 42:24) and it turns out that it was only the first out of a couple other times (e.g. Genesis 43:30; 45:2) when he did so. Quite an emotional man, huh? But it does show how soft his heart is. He is a softie for repentant sinners and for familial ties. Sounds just like our heavenly Father (cf Jonah 3:10).

There is really much to learn from Joseph; may we continue to learn from his Christlike-ness.