when we have none a reflection for the 20th of February
He finds the words,… when we have none a reflection for the 20th of February
In order to understand the significance of today’s Old Testament lesson we have to go back a ways. Jacob has 12 sons and Joseph has come much later on in time so he is always the favourite. His brothers have always been resentful and angry. You can imagine their fury when Jacob makes his favourite son a coat of many colours while not even giving the rest of them a voucher for Jeans west.
The opportunity for retribution happens one day when the 11 are looking after their fathers sheep well away from the farmhouse right down in the bottom paddock.
Seeing their nemesis coming they plot to kill him.
Fortuitously there are some travelling salesmen from Cash convertors passing that way and the 11 sell Joseph into slavery. They tell their Dad that a wooly mammoth killed their brother and Jacob is left distraught. The cash convertors sell Joseph in Egypt.
There Joseph eventually gains the favour of the pharaoh of Egypt and obtains a high place in pharaoh’s kingdom. Joseph’s adroit acquisition of grain supplies enables Egypt to withstand a famine. Driven by the same famine, his brother’s journey from Canaan to Egypt to obtain food. They prostrate themselves before Joseph but do not recognise him. However, Joseph recognises them.
So today’s lesson opens with Joseph finally revealing his true identity to his brothers. ‘I am Joseph.’
After all they have both been through over many years, Joseph opens a way forward for reconciliation.
Joseph doesn’t wait for his brothers response but swiftly asks ‘Is my father still alive?’
We are told that “his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.” Now I don’t think their silence is because Joseph had grown up muscular, tanned and handsome. I think their inability to speak is because their guilt strikes them dumb. We are left to conclude that their sense of remorse is crushing and debilitating.
They are standing some distance away because Joseph’s next words are both practical and symbolic.
‘Come closer to me.’ So you see how it’s not just an invitation in measurable, physical distance but there is another dynamic happening here. ‘Come closer to me’ in relationship… and the brothers do.
Again Joseph has to reassuringly reveal his identity
‘I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.’ Yes it's really me and sensing their grief and shame …
“And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.”
And then Joseph goes on to give them the long range weather forecast, tells them to go and get dear old dad and the other brothers and come on up here to Egypt where not only are they forgiven, but they will be looked after while this interminable drought rages on for another five years.
Now one of the many important things to note in this lesson is that the recalcitrant brothers do not say anything at all. Nothing. Not one little ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘How can you forgive us?’ or even “Golly gee, you’re looking well on it Joseph’
But then we are not privy to their facial expression or body language. It is Joseph who in this encounter with his siblings is always taking the initiative. It is Joseph who reveals himself, it is Joseph who asks them to come closer. It is Joseph who forgives, reassures and sets out a very comfortable superannuation plan for them, their families and their dad. Then, right at the end of the lesson …”And Joseph kissed all his brothers and wept upon them;” so now they are so close that he can physically hold them. No COVID and social distancing here.
It’s not until the last tear is wiped away that the conversation begins. “and after that his brothers talked with him”.
What was said hardly matters. Joseph had already said and done all that needed to be said and done.
A couple of things to draw out of this.
First, the brothers did not go to Pharaoh expecting to find forgiveness and acceptance from their long lost brother. The opportunity found them and surprised them. They just fronted up to Pharaohs 2nd in command because the crops back home were failing and they were getting hungry. I suspect that is how God deals with us. That we come and are surprised by God revealing himself in the most unlikely of people and our guilt is dealt with by the Master’s tears as the brother's guilt was dealt with by Joseph’s tears.
Secondly, sometimes just showing up and coming closer to Him is all that is needed. Sometimes we can’t put into words just how appalled we are at our own behaviour. Just coming closer when we are bidden will speak for itself.
Finally I reckon Joseph and his brothers went and had a couple bottles of red cordial, a fattened lamb, some brandy soaked olives and some broken, shared bread.
So we come today to the God who surprises us. Just coming and breaking bread with him will give us the fresh start that we all crave for.
Today he says to you… “Come closer… it is I”
And we know that He has found the words for us, when we could not find the words for Him.