Forgiveness Pt. 11: Living the Dream

Before picking up where we left off yesterday, I want to re-cap what we learned:

·       Joseph went to work immediately assessing the needs, meeting, organizing, etc.

·       Pharaoh was completely hands off during the entire process as he trusted Joseph’s decision making process;

o   This can be very challenging for leaders (in and out of the church) for a variety of reasons:  intimidation, low self-esteem, ego, jealousy, etc. all of which will undermine your business, department you oversee, ministry, etc.  If you work with a subordinate that is more knowledgeable than you, learn how to harness their knowledge so that it works in your favor.  Micromanaging people always ends poorly:  they die creatively or they leave, either way, you lose.

·       The dream came to past

·       The Egyptians despised Hebrews, probably just as much if not more as Caucasians despised (and in some cases still despise) African-Americans.  They were fully aware that Joseph was in charge of the food they needed so they went to Pharaoh when their needs surfaced and he sent them right to Joseph the HHIC (head Hebrew in charge)

·       His brothers arrive in Egypt during the famine.  Joseph recognized them immediately but kept it under wraps.  Joseph is a full grown man now, his appearance, body build and voice have completely changed.  Never in a million years did they think they would ever see him again so it was completely understandable that they didn’t recognize him.

Let’s pick up at Genesis 42:6:  Can you imagine what is going through Joseph’s mind at this time?  He had the power to do whatever he wanted to anyone he wanted.  Remember, he is second in command of the entire Country.  The power he had was lethal because he didn’t answer to anyone except Pharaoh and the likelihood of Pharaoh siding with a commoner, palace official or let alone a foreigner was highly unlikely.  They ruled with a top down dogmatic approach that you do as I say and you do not question me.  It’s hard to serve under people like that, especially today and believe it or not, that leadership style still exists, especially in the African-American Church.

Again, I go back to what I said earlier, the lessons that Joseph learned in humility during his 13 year training were invaluable character builders.  Even though Joseph had forgiven his brothers years ago, the fact that they were standing before him had to shed new light on the dynamics.  He was within his right to “play with them” to get information about his father and brother.  I don’t see it as mean or an abuse of power.  Part of the game was to speak to them in the Egyptian language and use an interpreter while they spoke in Hebrew.  He asked why they had come, they answered to buy food; he accused them of lying and said they were spying to look for their (Egyptians) weaknesses.  They assured him they weren’t spies, told them about their father who had 12 sons one of which was no longer with them and that they were just honest men trying to buy food for their families.  Joseph talked harshly to them and continued to accuse them of being spies to which they continued to deny but each time they did, they gave more information about their family.   Joseph’s emotions must have been like a raging sea as he recalled the dreams he had as a young naïve 17 year old but he kept his emotions in check.  (Genesis 42:9).  Then he pulled rank and said:  “You are all spies as I have said.  This is how I’ll test you. As Pharaoh lives, you’re not going to leave this place until your younger brother comes here. Send one of you to get your brother while the rest of you stay here in jail. We’ll see if you’re telling the truth or not. As Pharaoh lives, I say you’re spies.”  Then he threw them into jail for three days.  On the third day, Joseph spoke to them. “Do this and you’ll live. I’m a God-fearing man. If you’re as honest as you say you are, one of your brothers will stay here in jail while the rest of you take the food back to your hungry families. But you have to bring your youngest brother back to me, confirming the truth of your speech—and not one of you will die.” They agreed.  Genesis 42:14-20 (The Message).

Then they started talking to each other in Hebrew, blaming each other for their past sins.  “Now we’re paying for what we did to our brother—we saw how terrified he was when he was begging us for mercy. We wouldn’t listen to him and now we’re the ones in trouble.” Reuben broke in: “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t hurt the boy’? But no, you wouldn’t listen. And now we’re paying for his murder.” Joseph had been using an interpreter, so they didn’t know that Joseph was understanding every word. Joseph turned away from them and cried. When he was able to speak again, he took Simeon and had him tied up, making a prisoner of him while they all watched.  Genesis 42:21-24 (The Message)

Why Joseph made a choice of Simeon, I don’t know.  Personally, I would have chosen Judah since he was the one that came up with the idea to sell him into slavery.  I’m just sayin’.  I haven’t had the experience of three meals and a cot and have no desire to do so, it’s not on my bucket list because I like wearing my own underclothes, eating what and when I want, using a bathroom with a door and squatting to exercise vs. releasing paraphernalia, but of those I know personally who have, it can be a life changing experience.  

They must have been horrified to see Simeon bound as a prisoner especially since he hadn’t “done anything”.  Your sins have a way of catching up to you eventually.  But why throw them all in jail?  Was it to give them a taste of what life had been like for him?  That short three day period certainly didn’t compare to his 13 year experience, however, it did paint a vivid picture.  Even though the guilt of their actions must have been eating the brothers up inside they probably didn’t speak about it like we do today as it relates to things we are ashamed of and/or we want to disappear.  Pressing mute on painful situations never makes them go away, they just lie dormant taking on other forms like hurt, anger and bitterness which can turn into hatred, cancer, strokes, heart attacks, depression, etc.  What’s even worse is when people start to perpetrate the very things that suppressed them, thus beginning a cycle.  It seems to me that Joseph was determined not to allow that to happen to him.  He had released forgiveness but he wasn’t ready to reveal his identity just yet.  Perhaps it had something to do with timing, figuring out where they were mentally or if they had any remorse for their actions to help him better understand how to proceed and that’s exactly what happened. 

After Simeon was bound and returned to prison Joseph ordered his workers to fill the other brothers’ sacks with the grain they came to purchase along with their money and sent them on their way.  When they stopped to camp for the night one of the brothers discovered his money in his grain sack and they all panicked, wondering what God was doing to them.  When they got back home they told Jacob, their father everything that happened.   The accusation of being spies, being thrown in jail for three days, keeping Simeon as a hostage, demanding that they return with their younger brother to prove their innocence which allow them to come and go from Egypt freely and Simeon would be freed.  After recounting the events of their journey, they all began to unloaded their sacks and to their horror their money sacks were there too!!!

This was confusing and overwhelming for Jacob.  He probably started to think of his past sins with his brother Esau, possibly wondering if he was still being punished for tricking his twin brother out of his birthright.  Then Jacob spoke out and said:  You’re taking everything I’ve got! Joseph’s gone, Simeon’s gone, and now you want to take Benjamin. If you have your way, I’ll be left with nothing.”  Reuben spoke up: “I’ll put my two sons in your hands as hostages.  If I don’t bring Benjamin back, you can kill them. Trust me with Benjamin; I’ll bring him back.”  But Jacob refused. “My son will not go down with you. His brother is dead and he is all I have left. If something bad happens to him on the road, you’ll put my gray, sorrowing head in the grave.”  Genesis 42: 36-38 (The Message)

To be continued …

In His Excellent Service

Tania Not Tanya