Joseph's brothers

Joseph's brothers

Read Genesis 42 - 43
One thing that had caused Joseph's brothers much frustration, was his dreams. He used to tell them about how he had dreamt that he would be superior to them and that they would have to bow down to him. Possibly Joseph should have kept this to himself, but we know that he was rather over zealous in his younger days and this just wound them up - big time.

This was fulfilled some 22 years later when Jacob sent Joseph's brothers into Egypt to buy grain. When they arrived, Joseph recognised them instantly but his brothers failed to recognise him. They bowed down before him and and requested that they buy food. ( 42:6 - 7). They told Joseph that they were from Canaan - some 50 miles away. After further questioning, Joseph accused them of being spies who had come to check out his land. Whatever they said, he pretended to disbelieve them and carried on with the accusation.

You know, what goes around comes around. Joseph had been falsely accused of attempted rape and thrown into prison. Now the brothers were getting the same treatment. God has a sense of humour at times. Joseph told them that one of them was to be imprisoned while the others went back to Canaan to bring their youngest brother, Benjamin back with them. He was Joseph's blood brother.
Whilst they were discussing this with each other, Joseph was listening, they didn't know he spoke their language because he had been using an interpreter.

 In 42:21-22 we see them coming under conviction as they said, "Clearly we are being punished because of what we did to Joseph long ago. We saw his anguish when he pleaded for his life, but we wouldn't listen. That's why we're in this trouble. Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy?" Reuben asked. "But you wouldn't listen. And now we have to answer for his blood."

Joseph hearing all of this, turned around and began to weep. One would have thought he would now be able to take revenge on these men who had hurt him so badly. But no, he was full of compassion.
He sent them away with the food, keeping Simeon in prison and they journeyed the 50 miles back home. Joseph arranged for their money to be returned to their bags and they panicked thinking they would be further accused of stealing.

There were lessons to be learnt here. We'll always get caught out at some stage. God knows what we do; He sees all and will do all He can to get us to repent and put things right. Look at the compassion of Joseph. Could we act in the same way to people who have wronged us so badly? Do we need to forgive someone? Do we show compassion to people? Jesus did. That's why He gave us a second chance. Do we need to give someone another chance? Do we need to let them off the hook, thus freeing them and ourselves?
Think about it.