13 July 2023

Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come closer to me.’ And they came closer. He said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.

From Genesis 44:18-21,23-29,45:1-5 NRSV

Joseph continued to take his revenge on his brothers by keeping one (Simeon) hostage until they returned with his youngest brother Benjamin. Jacob was very reluctant to allow Benjamin to be taken to Egypt but this was their only hope of obtaining food in a time of famine. Benjamin was greatly loved by his father and, having lost Joseph, Jacob could not bear the thought of losing this child. In today’s reading, we hear Judah (the eldest son) offering himself as hostage instead and making an impassioned plea to Joseph to spare Benjamin; explaining that Jacob’s heart was “so bound up with him” that he would die if anything happened to him. Joseph then relented and revealed his identity to his brothers. The disbelieving brothers took some persuasion that this was indeed the Joseph they had sold into slavery. Joseph assured them that God had a purpose in allowing him to be sent to Egypt and so the reunion of the family began.

• • What do you think brought Joseph to the point where he was able to relent in his treatment of his brothers?
  • Can anything help us to forgive and reconcile those who have wronged us?

Is there someone you need to be reconciled with – pray for discernment in how to deal with this.