Chapter 2: Tears of Reconciliation (by Dr. Albert Gaw)
Introduction
In my first article on Joseph’s tears — Tears of Betrayal— I described how the events surrounding his betrayal by his brothers who first tried to kill him but then changed their mind and sold him as a slave to Egypt, set the stage for Joseph, 22 years later, to become the vicar in Egypt and became the provider that would save his family from famine. In this episode, I shall describe how Joseph’s tears of reconciliation allowed his brothers to show repentance and eventually enabled Joseph to bring his family to settle in Egypt and formed twelve tribes that would give birth to the nation of Israel. God’s and was scripting history in the face of events of what human would consider calamity.
Background
Recall, there was a great famine throughout Egypt and her surrounding lands, including Canaan, where Jacob and his family resided. Only Egypt had grain. The famine forced Joseph’s brothers to come to Egypt to buy grain. When they arrived and bowed down before Joseph, who is now the vicar (Prime Minister) of Egypt, Joseph immediately recognized them, but they did not. Joseph recalled his first dream years back before he was betrayed — his brothers would bow down to him (Ge 37:7). Now bowing before him, as the dream had foretold, were the brothers who tried to kill him but then sold him to Egypt as a slave. How would Joseph, confronted with this monumental encounter, going to treat his brothers? Would Joseph exact revenge? Had the brothers expressed any remorse or had they repented their sin? And what about any news about his beloved father, Jacob, and his dearest younger brother, Benjamin? How could he save his family from famine?
Quickly, Joseph to to hatch a scheme. To find out how his father and Benjamin were doing, Joseph pretended that he didn’t know them. He asked them, through an interpreter, where they came from.
“From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.”
But Joseph, pretending incredulous, harshly interrogated and accused them: “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected…And this is how you will be tested: 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 will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth (Ge 42:14).”
Through interrogation, Joseph learned that his family was fine, except they were facing famine. To instill fear and test their words, he put all his brothers in custody for three days. On the third day, Joseph released them, gave grain to carry back for their starving household, but kept one of his brothers, Simeon, as a hostage until they bring Benjamin to Egypt.
At this, the brothers said to one another, “Surely we are now 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.”
Then Reuben, the oldest brother, replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood (Ge 42:21-22).”
They didn’t realize that Joseph could understand their conversations.
Reuben’s narrative revealed that the brothers had suffered, too. They must have been imprisoned for years by their sense of collective guilt. Joseph sensed that his brothers have changed. Reminded of his suffering, and now his brothers showing some stirring of their regrets, Joseph couldn’t control his emotions; he turned away from them and began to weep. He turned back, composed himself, and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes, as a hostage, and let the rest of them returned to Canaan with grain. He further let them know that he’ll only release Simeon when they proved the truth-worthiness of their words by bringing their youngest brother Benjamin, to Egypt.
One can sense the consternation of Jacob’s family when the brothers returned home without Simeon. The brothers must have felt a collective responsibility and guilt for what had befallen Simeon. Poor old man, Jacob, losing Joseph 22 years earlier was devastating. Now, another son besides Joseph was held captive in Egypt. The brothers continue to suffer for the collective sin they have committed 22 years back.
A year later, the grain ran out and Jacob’s family was forced to buy grain in Egypt again. Mindful of what Joseph had stipulated about Benjamin when they were released, Reuben pleaded with his father to let the brothers bring Benjamin with them to Egypt on their second trip. Fearful that he may also lost his second child born by his beloved wife, Rachel, who died after giving birth to Benjamin, (Since Jacob still believed the story told him that his son Joseph was killed by a wild animal), he initially refused to let Benjamin go. But the famine was severe, and the tuck of hunger was strong. To save the family, Benjamin had to go. So Judah stepped in and pleaded with his father and guaranteed that he personally will be responsible to bring Benjamin safely back. The old man finally acquiesced.
When Benjamin finally appeared with his brothers before Joseph, he was deeply moved at the sight of Benjamin. After years of separation, Joseph finally had a chance to see his blood brother again. The sight of Benjamin overwhelmed him and he retreated to a room to cry (Ge 43:29-30). Afterward, Joseph prepared a banquet for them and he gave Benjamin five portions of food more than he gave his brothers. Joseph must have felt celebratory. But he wanted to know how his brother would have reacted to the special treatment of Benjamin, for it was their jealousy of Joseph’s special treatment by his father that caused them to feel so much hatred toward him in the first place. Will they feel resentful of Benjamin’s special treatment? This time, the brothers passed with flying colors: there was no hint to jealousy or resentment as they feasted and drank freely with Joseph.
But Joseph had one final act to test the extent and depth of his brothers’ repentance. As the brothers prepared to return home, Joseph instructed the steward of his house to put his personal silver cup in Benjamin’s bag. After they left, Joseph sent his steward to track them down and searched for the “stolen” cup. When it was found in Benjamin’s sack, the brothers were devastated; they were being accused of stealing the master’s cup and repaying good with evil. And they were forced to return to face Joseph’s wrath. When Joseph threatened to keep keep Benjamin in Egypt and let the rest of them return to Canaan, Judah entreated:
“…So now, if the boy is not with us when I go back to your servant my father, and if my father, whose life is closely bound up with the boy’s life, sees that the boy isn’t there, he will die…Your servant guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father. I said, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!’ Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father (Ge 44:30-34).”
Deeply moved, Joseph could no longer control his emotions. He ordered all his attendants to leave the house and he loudly wept. Then Joseph revealed himself to his brothers,
“I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” His brothers were terrified. Then Joseph asked them to come close to him and said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me here ahead of you…to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance (Ge 45:4-7).”
Joseph then threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept; Benjamin embraced him too, weeping. And Joseph kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked to him. Then Joseph instructed his brothers to bring Jacob’s entire family to Egypt.
Joseph’s magnanimity is revealed in his tears of reconciliation. He forgave the sins of his brothers and provided a way for them to show their repentance. More importantly, Joseph's tears of reconciliations also revealed his deep spirituality. He realized that God had willed and sent him to Egypt to save not only his family, but also to fulfill His promise to Abraham, Joseph’s ancestor, that He will establish a nation through Abraham, here as a remnant on earth that will become the Nation of Israel. That promise is now going to be realized through him. What a privilege!
Personal reflections:
We all may face personal trials. If we have been hurt by others, or felt broken by our own brothers and sisters, will we seek reconciliation? In the midst of trials, can we, as Joseph did, forgive those who may have hurt or betrayed us? Can we pray and try to discern if there’s a higher spiritual perspective or lesson, that perhaps it’s God will to accomplish His purpose through our misfortunes.
10 January 2017
