Genesis 44:18-34
"Judah's Plea for Benjamin"
Judah pleads with Joseph to allow him [Judah] to take Benjamin's place.
Here we can see that the brothers, or at least Judah, have matured. They're thinking selflessly, considering their father and the effect of their actions above their own desires. This is the model of selfless we need to follow, but, aside from that, It was very evident to Joseph that his brothers have grown and matured. Remember, Judah, the brother offering to trade himself, was the brother who sold Joseph into slavery to begin with. There is a remarkable growth and Joseph would have to be blind to see it.
There also seems to be, from Judah's part, a sense of remorse for selling Joseph and lying to Jacob, another indicator of maturity.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
1 Mar. 2012 - Genesis 44:1-17
Genesis 44:1-17
"Joseph's Final Test"
Alright, so Joseph is setting up a final test to see if his brothers have truly changed. He creates a situation in which Benjamin is found guilty of theft and sentenced to serve Joseph as his slave (or killed). None of the others, though, "stole", so none of them need be his slave.
Joseph knows that Ben is the only other son from Rachel, the wife Jacob loved best. He also knew, therefore, that his father would be heartbroken should anything happen to him. So, he is testing his brothers to see if they have begun to put others before themselves. Think back to Genesis 37. The brothers were jealous of Joseph's attention, which is why they had him sold. Jealousy is a very self-centred action. Now, the brothers are in a situation, once again, where they have the opportunity to act selflessly and prove to Joseph that they have, indeed, changed.
"Joseph's Final Test"
Alright, so Joseph is setting up a final test to see if his brothers have truly changed. He creates a situation in which Benjamin is found guilty of theft and sentenced to serve Joseph as his slave (or killed). None of the others, though, "stole", so none of them need be his slave.
Joseph knows that Ben is the only other son from Rachel, the wife Jacob loved best. He also knew, therefore, that his father would be heartbroken should anything happen to him. So, he is testing his brothers to see if they have begun to put others before themselves. Think back to Genesis 37. The brothers were jealous of Joseph's attention, which is why they had him sold. Jealousy is a very self-centred action. Now, the brothers are in a situation, once again, where they have the opportunity to act selflessly and prove to Joseph that they have, indeed, changed.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
29 Feb. 2012 - Genesis 43:15-34
Genesis 43:15-34
<caption not given - I'm reading from e-Sword>
Here we have Joseph playing a few more mind games. First, though, the brothers offer the money they found. Joseph refuses, saying He had received the money in full, it must have been a gift from God. After that, seeing that Benjamin was with them, Joseph released Simeon. they were then to eat with Joseph at his house (after Joseph composed himself - after seeing Benjamin and hearing of his father, he had to rush out and cry in his chambers). At the meal, the brothers were confused (this is what I meant by mind games). Joseph sat, as was Egyptian custom, apart from the Hebrew brothers. Despite that, he had arranged the brothers such that they were in order according to age and birthright - this is what confused and bewildered the brothers.
Joseph kept his word to the brothers. He really, truly wanted to see his brothers and hear word of his father. Also, Joseph didn't reveal himself yet because he had one last test for the brothers, this time involving Benjamin.
<caption not given - I'm reading from e-Sword>
Here we have Joseph playing a few more mind games. First, though, the brothers offer the money they found. Joseph refuses, saying He had received the money in full, it must have been a gift from God. After that, seeing that Benjamin was with them, Joseph released Simeon. they were then to eat with Joseph at his house (after Joseph composed himself - after seeing Benjamin and hearing of his father, he had to rush out and cry in his chambers). At the meal, the brothers were confused (this is what I meant by mind games). Joseph sat, as was Egyptian custom, apart from the Hebrew brothers. Despite that, he had arranged the brothers such that they were in order according to age and birthright - this is what confused and bewildered the brothers.
Joseph kept his word to the brothers. He really, truly wanted to see his brothers and hear word of his father. Also, Joseph didn't reveal himself yet because he had one last test for the brothers, this time involving Benjamin.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
28 Feb. 2012 - Genesis 43:1-14
Genesis 43:1-14
"Decision to Return to Egypt"
The famine continues and Israel's family is forced to have to go back to Egypt to buy more grain. Unfortunately, in order for Joseph to see them (and thereby administer grain to them), they needed to bring Benjamin, the youngest and Rachel's only "living" son. Israel fights this, but caves in to necessity when Judah takes personal responsibility for his well being. They then bring extra money and gifts for Joseph.
You can see here another change in the brothers', especially Judah's, attitude. Judah was one of the ones to suggest killing Joseph and the instigator of the motion to sell him. Now, Judah is assuring his father of personal responsibility for Benjamin. Judah has grown up. He is more mature and he is wiser. Joseph will see this shortly as he tests the brothers this next time in Egypt.
"Decision to Return to Egypt"
The famine continues and Israel's family is forced to have to go back to Egypt to buy more grain. Unfortunately, in order for Joseph to see them (and thereby administer grain to them), they needed to bring Benjamin, the youngest and Rachel's only "living" son. Israel fights this, but caves in to necessity when Judah takes personal responsibility for his well being. They then bring extra money and gifts for Joseph.
You can see here another change in the brothers', especially Judah's, attitude. Judah was one of the ones to suggest killing Joseph and the instigator of the motion to sell him. Now, Judah is assuring his father of personal responsibility for Benjamin. Judah has grown up. He is more mature and he is wiser. Joseph will see this shortly as he tests the brothers this next time in Egypt.
Monday, February 27, 2012
27 Feb. 2012 - Genesis 42:27-38
Genesis 42:27-38
"The Brothers Return Home"
We have here the brothers returning home and Jacob's response to Joseph's request. We see the brothers' shock at seeing their money returned to them, but we also see Jacob's sorrow at the possible loss of Rachel's other son to this strange Egyptian. Coupled with the latter, we can see hoe the brothers have matured since Joseph's "death". They are now men, mature men who feel great remorse towards their actions. However, I want to say that their contrition is more out of recognition of what they put their father through, not so much conviction over their own sins. Tis, however, is not a theological fact, but a mere observation from a student.
The brothers' actions had consequences, some bad and others goof.
"The Brothers Return Home"
We have here the brothers returning home and Jacob's response to Joseph's request. We see the brothers' shock at seeing their money returned to them, but we also see Jacob's sorrow at the possible loss of Rachel's other son to this strange Egyptian. Coupled with the latter, we can see hoe the brothers have matured since Joseph's "death". They are now men, mature men who feel great remorse towards their actions. However, I want to say that their contrition is more out of recognition of what they put their father through, not so much conviction over their own sins. Tis, however, is not a theological fact, but a mere observation from a student.
The brothers' actions had consequences, some bad and others goof.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
26 Feb. 2012 - Genesis 42:1-26
Genesis 42:1-26
"Joseph's Brothers in Egypt"
And now, the first [not-quite-so-happy] reunion. Joseph's brothers (the 10 older ones) are sent to buy grain from Egypt (and, unbeknownst to them, Joseph). Joseph recognizes them, but it's not reciprocated, so Joseph takes this opportunity to test and see if his brothers have changes during the years he'd been gone.
Joseph accuses them of being spies and requests the presence of the youngest brother (Benjamin, Rachel's other son). He asks for Ben as he knows that Ben would be the new favorite of his father and he is testing the other brothers to see if they feel remorse for what they did to him and what they did to their father.
Notice, though, that Joseph showed a fair degree of mercy towards his brothers. He allowed all but one to go back (conditions of the test) and he slipped the brothers' money into their grain bags.
What we see here is some possible mistrust and we see how the brothers have been affected by their rash actions. God had this all planned, though, to bring Joseph to provide for his family and eventually do something even more drastic for them.
"Joseph's Brothers in Egypt"
And now, the first [not-quite-so-happy] reunion. Joseph's brothers (the 10 older ones) are sent to buy grain from Egypt (and, unbeknownst to them, Joseph). Joseph recognizes them, but it's not reciprocated, so Joseph takes this opportunity to test and see if his brothers have changes during the years he'd been gone.
Joseph accuses them of being spies and requests the presence of the youngest brother (Benjamin, Rachel's other son). He asks for Ben as he knows that Ben would be the new favorite of his father and he is testing the other brothers to see if they feel remorse for what they did to him and what they did to their father.
Notice, though, that Joseph showed a fair degree of mercy towards his brothers. He allowed all but one to go back (conditions of the test) and he slipped the brothers' money into their grain bags.
What we see here is some possible mistrust and we see how the brothers have been affected by their rash actions. God had this all planned, though, to bring Joseph to provide for his family and eventually do something even more drastic for them.
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