Dear Readers and Listeners. Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for today is taken from Book of Genesis, Chapter 50 verse 21, “Joseph comforted his brothers and spoke kindly to them,” (NRSVB). In this last Chapter we are given an account of the last days of Jacob, whom God named Israel, the father of twelve sons, who became the nation of Israel. His sons, when they were young, plotted against their brother, Joseph, for they were filled with envy against him, given that they perceived him to be his father’s favourite. Joseph received visions, dreams and their interpretations, and these he shared with his father and his brothers. Even his father was astonished, for he found references in Joseph’s interpretations that intimated a possibility that his entire family would bow down to him in the future.
The brothers were tired of hearing these stories. They were most indignant that their father even strengthened their little brother in his delusional visions, according to them, by having a beautiful multi-coloured coat made for him as a gift. One day when Joseph came with provisions for his brothers, who were looking after the vast flocks in the open field, the brothers conspired to kill Joseph. However, the eldest brother, Rubin, begged them not to shed the blood of their brother. They then stripped him of his special coat and threw him in an empty water pit. Reuben planned to save him and to take him back to his father. During their lunch recess, the brothers saw a traveling Arabian merchant caravan, and on Judah’s recommendation, sold the young Joseph to the merchants as a slave. When Reuben returned from tending the flocks that were further afield, he went to the pit and did not find his brother, he tore his clothes and wept. Then the brothers killed a little goat, spread the blood on Joseph’s coat and sent the garment ahead with one of the hired-shepherds to give to their father, asking if it were the coat of their brother Joseph?
The deception was not discovered until many years later, and Jacob continued to mourn for his son Joseph, whom he thought was devoured by wild animals. The brothers must have carried a heavy load hiding the truth regarding their brother, Joseph, from their father for years. It was a condemning secret that they shared. It must have worried them some nights, when they could not sleep, tossing in their beds, remembering the truth that they had to hide. They possibly wondered what happened to their brother after they sold him as a slave, whether he was even still alive? We all know the story of how his brothers came to buy food in Egypt, for Joseph interpreted the Pharaoh’s dreams, and told of the drought that would come. The Pharaoh agreed with Joseph’s plans. They worked and stored up grain. They stored so much that they were able to sell grain, even to their neighbours, at the height of the famine, thus saving many lives. Jacob heard of the grain in Egypt and sent his sons to buy grain. There, at the storehouse, the brothers met up with their brother, now second in command in Egypt. Joseph immediately recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. However, when Joseph revealed, much later, who he was, they broke down and cried with deep tears and begged for his forgiveness.
Joseph asked his brothers to go and fetch their families and his father. He received permission from the Pharaoh that his whole family could come and live with him in Egypt, as the drought was fierce in Israel. After some years their father, Jacob, died. The brothers became fearful that Joseph might avenge the terrible acts they committed against him now that their father passed on. Joseph was saddened that his brothers could think that such a scenario was a possibility. He assured them that he forgave them completely, for what they thought would have been harmful to him, God turned around and not only blessed him, but blessed many others through him. Joseph surely had the right to speak harshly to this brothers. However, he chose to comfort them and reassure them of his forgiveness, even though they were guilty and did not merit forgiveness. Because of the deep guilt and remorse the brothers felt, they were unable to fully trust or forgive themselves, they therefore felt uncertain regarding Joseph’s forgiveness. They were overawed that their grievous deeds were repaid with forgiveness, kindness and mercy.
What happened to Joseph, grew out of the evil talk the brothers had amongst themselves, inspired by envy. However, what happened when the Pharaoh listened to the wise words of Joseph, plans were made to save an entire region! The Apostle Paul encourages the congregation in Ephesus in his letter, Chapter 4 verse 29, “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear,” (NRSVB).
Father, we thank you that you give us words of wisdom, words that created peace, truth and life, and inspire those around us to forgive another, as you have forgiven us, Amen.