Perspective: WK5 - MON
Week 5 - Monday: Famine
Genesis 42:1-3
When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons… “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”
Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.
Genesis 42:6
Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground
Genesis 42:8
Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.
Genesis 42:18-24
On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.
They said to one another, “Surely we are 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.”
Reuben 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.” They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter.
He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.
The famine has reached the point that Jacob’s family can no longer rely on their reserves. They must travel to Egypt to bargain for grain. Jacob holds back his favorite, Benjamin, while sending ten of his sons on the journey.
The scene unfolds like a movie as Ruben and his crew of betrayers arrive to buy grain. They don’t recognize the man standing before them, but Joseph identifies them immediately. Feigning ignorance of their language, he uses an interpreter to speak with the Hebrew negotiators, maintaining his disguise as an Egyptian.
The Scriptures say that Joseph’s immediate response is to “speak harshly to them” (Genesis 42:7). I’ve always read this as a good strategy for determining whether their character has grown or if they are still the same vindictive, mean brothers he last spent time with. But I wonder if this isn’t just an honest reaction to seeing them. Is he struggling with wanting to help? Considering outright rejection?
Before the chapter ends, Joseph has accused them of spying, held them in custody for three days, imprisoned Simeon indefinitely, and framed them for theft by having his servants hide their silver payments in the grain they had bought. Maybe this is all strategy. But it smells like the fumes of the last embers of anger and resentment, a famine of its own.
Somehow, as thirteen-year-old images of home disappearing behind distant sand dunes flash across his mind, God is planting flowers in the desert. The famine will not last because God’s love can sprout forgiveness where we thought nothing could grow.
Genesis 42:1-3
When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons… “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”
Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.
Genesis 42:6
Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground
Genesis 42:8
Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.
Genesis 42:18-24
On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.
They said to one another, “Surely we are 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.”
Reuben 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.” They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter.
He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.
The famine has reached the point that Jacob’s family can no longer rely on their reserves. They must travel to Egypt to bargain for grain. Jacob holds back his favorite, Benjamin, while sending ten of his sons on the journey.
The scene unfolds like a movie as Ruben and his crew of betrayers arrive to buy grain. They don’t recognize the man standing before them, but Joseph identifies them immediately. Feigning ignorance of their language, he uses an interpreter to speak with the Hebrew negotiators, maintaining his disguise as an Egyptian.
The Scriptures say that Joseph’s immediate response is to “speak harshly to them” (Genesis 42:7). I’ve always read this as a good strategy for determining whether their character has grown or if they are still the same vindictive, mean brothers he last spent time with. But I wonder if this isn’t just an honest reaction to seeing them. Is he struggling with wanting to help? Considering outright rejection?
Before the chapter ends, Joseph has accused them of spying, held them in custody for three days, imprisoned Simeon indefinitely, and framed them for theft by having his servants hide their silver payments in the grain they had bought. Maybe this is all strategy. But it smells like the fumes of the last embers of anger and resentment, a famine of its own.
Somehow, as thirteen-year-old images of home disappearing behind distant sand dunes flash across his mind, God is planting flowers in the desert. The famine will not last because God’s love can sprout forgiveness where we thought nothing could grow.
- Would it be more difficult for you to go without technology for a month or to go a week without seeing another person? Why do you think that is?
- Is there someone you have been avoiding lately? Why have you been doing this? Is there something different you should do about it?
- Have you been wronged by someone you feel you cannot forgive? What would you like to say to Jesus about it?
No Comments